E-learning Theory and Model Module

1. E-learning Theory and Model Module Group 1 members: Cronin O’ Mahoney, Zhen Zhen Liu Kefei Ou

2. Introduction • System : eFronteFront is a learning management system (LMS), • Expert : Gilly SalmonDr Gilly Salmon is an active and enthusiastic professor of E-learning & Learning • Standard : Question and Test Interoperability (QTI)maintained by a non profit consortium known as the IMS Global Learning Consortium (IMS) • Emerging Technology: Dynamic Translation software • Camspace and Kingsoft powerword

3. eFront • eFront is a learning management system (LMS), similar to the well know and well established Moodle platform. • Different versions, including an open source community version as well as a number of commercial versions. • WYSISWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) content editor. This allows the user to add a variety of content in a visual manner, including images, videos, sounds and flash or java.

4. Features • eFront utilises Ajax technology which can provide a saving in bandwidth, a faster website and consequently user interactions are slicker, smoother and faster. • eFront is SCORM certified by the ADL, the leading SCORM standards body. • Out-of-the-box support for payments, skill-gap analysis and social extensions such as forums, chat, time-lines, personal messages). also supports Facebook using a plug-in.

5. Gilly Salmon • Profile: expert on E-learning strategy and implementation of new technology; professor of University of Leicester • Best known contribution on e-learning: • 1. E-moderating • What is e-moderating? • Five-stages model for e-learning • 2. E-tivities • What is e-tivities?

6. Media Zoo

7. IMS Question & Test Interoperability (QTI) • A standard for defining both assessment and question data as well as the corresponding reporting of the results. • Maintained by a non profit consortium known as the IMS Global Learning Consortium (IMS). • The consortium is made up of leading institutions, suppliers, and governments worldwide. • The QTI specification facilitates innovation, interoperability, and reuse by not restricting its structure to any particular software, technology or pedagogical frameworks.

8. How it works • The specification consists of a data model which represents the structure of the questions, assessments and results as well as the XML data binding. • The standardisation of this information using Extensible Markup Language (XML) supports its exchange between authoring and delivery systems, data repositories and other Learning Management Systems.

9. Technology Demo • Kingsoft Powerword: • 1. translation • Dictionary; example use ; paragraph translation • 2. instant chatting • File exchanging; • 3. virtual conference evironment • Audio chatting; activity controlled by host; audio recording; file sharing

10. Potential for e-learning • Kingsoft PowerWord: • 1. support academic reading. • 2. foster international communication between students • 3. encourage group work both asynchronously and asynchronously

11. Technology Demo - CamSpace • Uses your web camera to turn everyday objects into computer controllers. It's software only and doesn't require any particular hardware. All that's needed is an internet connection and any standard webcam. • Mass user appeal as it runs from within any browser and it's simple and easy to use. • Can be used by people with disabilities/special needs to improve muscle movement, hand-eye co-ordination, etc.

12. conclusion • eFront is a very well rounded software system with a wide user base. • Gilly Salmon focused on was how to implement the existing or coming technology in teaching using effective and efficient teaching strategy deriving from a cognitive perspective. • QTI is a robust specification which has been under continuous development for over eleven years. • Camspace and Kingsoft powerword show a great potential on supporting e-learning

13. references • Fraysse, S. (2010). Interview of the week: eFront. Available: http://www.lms-selection.com/en2/?p=87. Last accessed 29th Jan 2011. • ‘Media Zoo: Beyond Distance Research Alliance’, University of Leicester, available: http://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/beyond-distance-research-alliance/mediazoo, [accessed Feb. 2, 2011]. • Pappas, C. (2011). Top 10 Open Source e-Learning Projects to Watch for 2011. Available: http://blog.efrontlearning.net/2011/01/top-10-open-source-e-learning-projects.html. Last accessed 28th Jan 2011. • Plotz, M. (2009). Ten Advantages of Using AJAX. Available: http://www.wdvl.com/Authoring/PHP/ajax/marc_plotz12032009.html. Last accessed 1st Feb 2011. • Salmon, G. (2004) E-moderating: The Key to Teaching & Learning Online, 2nd edition, London and New York: Taylor & Francis Group. • Salmon, G. (2002) E-tivities: The Key to Active Online learning, UK: Kogan Page. • Salmon, G. ‘All things in moderating’, available: http://www.atimod.com/, [accessed Feb. 2, 2011]. • Salmon, G. ‘Learning Futures: The Campus & Beyond’, University of Leicester, ppt. • Russell, A., Brewer, L., Brewer, T., Grocott, R., Heath, A., Hilton, P., Lay, S., Lord, J., Johnson, R., Kleeman, J., Roberts, P., Sclater, N., Shepherd, E., Smythe, C. (2002). IMS Question & Test Interoperability: An Overview Final Specification Version 1.2. Available: http://www.imsglobal.org/question/qtiv1p2/imsqti_oviewv1p2.html. Last accessed 1st Feb 2011.