Technology in the 21 st Century

2. Technology in the 21st Century • Quick and fast advent of technology tools, innovations, and progression • Digital and online technology is impacting all aspects of our lives

3. http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats5.htm

4. DE and Technology • DE offers many advantages including accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and opportunity for learning anytime anywhere (Moore & Kearsley, 2005). • Previously, DE was limited to correspondence education • With the advent of technology, DE has reached new heights and with different and innovative modes of delivery including blended learning

5. Research and DE • Research has supported the fact that DE can be as effective as traditional in-class teaching • Numerous research studies and meta-analyses

6. Bernard et al. 2004 Question: How does distance education compare to classroom instruction? Measures: Achievement, Attitudes and Retention

7. Results • Total number of studies: K = 232 • Inclusive dates 1985-2002 • 599 effect sizes of all dependent variables • Overall achievement, g+ ≈ 0.00 and heterogeneous

8. Mean and Variability

9. Results • Split between synchronous and asynchronous DE • Synchronous achievement, g+ ≈ –0.05, heterogeneous • Asynchronous achievement, g+ ≈ +0.10, heterogeneous • Meta-regression revealed, after accounting for study quality (up to 50% of variance), pedagogy accounted for more variation than media use

10. DE and Interactivity • Learner-centered environments are advocated by many educators and researchers in the 21st century (APA, 1997; Laurillard, 2002; McCombs, 2000) • Within DE, three main interactions are advocated as important for enhancing the learning experience and process (Moore, 1989) • Learner-Instructor • Learner-Learner • Learner-Content

11. Learner-Instructor Interaction • Refers mainly to the communication between the learner and the instructor

12. Learner-Learner Interaction • Refers to various forms of interaction among learners including general communication or more focused group work

13. Learner-Content Interaction • Refers to the learners’ interaction with the content matter in order to construct meaning, enable knowledge building and transfer, and support problem solving

14. Bernard et al. 2009 Question: What instructional approaches, technology applications, etc. make a difference in learner success* when DE studies are compared to DE studies? Measures: Achievement, Attitudes and Retention

15. Results • Sorted 74 achievement and 44 attitude effects into LL, LT and LC categories • The presence of any type of interaction enhances achievement outcomes (Mean ES=0.38) • Increasing cognitive engagement improves achievement • This is especially true for Learner-content interaction and any combination that involves Learner-content interaction

16. HBMeU: An Innovative Approach to DE • e-Total Quality Management College (eTQM) set up in September 2002 • Evolved into an e-Learning University renamed Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University in honour of HH the Crown Prince of Dubai in February 2009 • Uses blended learning approach combining face-to-face, online, and self-paced learning forms

17. Blended Learning

18. LMS:

19. Virtual Classroom: WIMBA

20. Virtual Classroom: WIMBA

21. Technology enabled environment LEARNERS Learner - learner Facilitating Learner Interactivity at HBMeU

22. Technology enabled environment FACULTY (FULL TIME /ADJUNCT) Faculty - faculty LEARNERS Learner - learner Facilitating Learner Interactivity at HBMeU

23. Technology enabled environment FACULTY (FULL TIME /ADJUNCT) Faculty - faculty LEARNERS Learner - learner STAFF Staff - staff Facilitating Learner Interactivity at HBMeU

24. Technology enabled environment FACULTY (FULL TIME /ADJUNCT) Faculty - faculty LEARNERS Learner - learner E- LEARNING AND IT SUPPORT TEAM Members - members STAFF Staff - staff Facilitating Learner Interactivity at HBMeU

25. Technology enabled environment FACULTY (FULL TIME /ADJUNCT) Faculty - faculty LEARNERS Learner - learner E- LEARNING AND IT SUPPORT TEAM Members - members STAFF Staff - staff Facilitating Learner Interactivity at HBMeU

26. Technology enabled environment FACULTY (FULL TIME /ADJUNCT) Faculty - faculty LEARNERS Learner - learner E- LEARNING AND IT SUPPORT TEAM Members - members STAFF Staff - staff Facilitating Learner Interactivity at HBMeU

27. Learner-Instructor Interaction • Blended learning minimizes isolation through online (synchronous & asynchronous) and face to face meetings • MOODLE provides opportunities for asynchronous communication • WIMBA most important technological supporter for learner-instructor interactions • Regular emails and mobile texting • The use of learner-centred course design

28. Learner-Learner Interaction • Blended learning minimizes isolation through online (synchronous & asynchronous) and face to face meetings • MOODLE provides opportunities for asynchronous communication • WIMBA most important technological supporter for learner-instructor interactions • Regular emails and mobile texting • The use of learner-centred course design and collaborative learning projects

29. Learner-Content Interaction • MOODLE and its role as a central repository for resources and a platform for discussion forums and boards, wikis, and glossary options • WIMBA and its archiving feature • Course design and the richness in provided resources • Collaborative projects allowing for an authentic experience with many of the presented concepts • Use of e-library and digitized material

30. Learners’ Perceptions • Positive feedback with overall learning experience • Allowing for flexibility and accessibility • Allowing for pursuing formal education without hindering the professional growth and social commitments

31. Future Research • In-depth investigation addressing: • Particular aspects of the course design • How to best ensure the learners’ success and satisfaction • Empirically validating the model with regard to some selected outcome variables

32. Thank you………. r.tamim@hbmeu.ac.ae