2008 - 2013 Flexible Learning Course

Strategies for Blended Learning by bronwynannh

Last week we explored some strategies which encourage flexibility in the classroom. Basically these strategies are just examples of good practice in learning and teaching, and rely on your creativity as a teacher.  To choose and use appropriate strategies to ensure inclusiveness in the learning environment, you need to be in tune with your students. The Gallery of Strategies for online learning, on the Australian Flexible framework site, is worth a look - lots of ideas there. We discussed the use of case studies, and also techniques for getting students to really focus on the task at hand, for example, "drawing blind" which helps students in drawing class to "really see" the objects they are asked to draw.

You were asked to use a Blended Learning template to design some strategies in four categories as listed. Note: strategies for the Activities and Communication categories should include strategies for Interaction - student-student, student-teacher, student-content.

1. Content.
2. Activities.
3. Communication - synchronous and asynchronous.
4. Assessment.

For example, you may decide to present content online in topics as I have done for this course using WikiEducator. Activites are listed for each topic, and communication is both asynchronous (independent) - email and blogs - and synchronous (real time) - face-to-face workshops and online using web conferencing.

Barbara Ker spoke to the f2f class about video assessments for Veterinary Nursing programmes. You can listen to a recording of her presentation - coming soon. The School of Veterinary Nursing has produced a very valuable set of guidelines for video assessments.  One thing which intrigued me was the ethical clause instructing students to only engage in scheduled procedures and medication regimes. I believe this is to forewarn against unethical practices, and I had visions desperate students pulling cats and dogs off the street so they could complete their assessments on time. The school has to think of everything which might get in the way of a strategy ending in successful outcomes.

In the web conference, Jennifer Hamlin described how online learning is designed for distance students, and the recording included a demo of how Moodle is being used. The programmes are based on unit standards. There is a mix of block courses, practical work in block courses and in Veterinary clinics, online self-paced learning (on Moodle in exe packages), a synchronous online discussion forums, and regular web conferences (real time). Students video the skills they need to demonstrate for assessment, and some are during procedures in vet clinics and others are in the field (e.g., Rural Animal Technology).

Many educational organisations are making their course materials freely accessible to anyone on the Internet. Some are using publicly accessible and editable web services to publish and maintain those course materials. Others are accepting free and open access to teaching and learning services in the courses themselves and then offering fee paid services for assessment and certification.

To do

1. Read the articles: Can OER Really Impact Higher Education and Human Development? by Christine Geith for PennState World Campus 2008.
2. Listen to this recording of Willie Campbell and others talking this week about the practice of assessing prior learning and how it is being used for more flexibility in the education process at Otago Polytechnic. Note that the recording is of an Elluminate web conference. Audio only will be available soon
3. Spend an hour or so browsing through some of the extra resources around the concept of networked learning.
4. Write to your blog a response to the following: Do you think open and networked education threatens or enhances formal education generally? Try to use evidence or references to back your statements.
5. Also, now might be a good time to start preparing for the production of your presentation assignment. Post to your blog any ideas you have for your presentation. Explain how you would like to produce your presentation and identify skills you currently have and skills will need to develop to produce this presentation. (If you have questions, post them to your blog also).
   

Extra resources

• CyberOne: Law in the Court of Public Opinion is a course offered by Harvard Law. They use a course blog in conjunction with a course wiki to deliver notes and video recorded lectures. They also use the 3D virtual world platform Second Life to facilitate communication.
• MIT Open course ware offers free access to online learning resources.
• Online information literacy modules developed for the NZ tertiary sector and freely available.
• Educational Development at Otago Polytechnic - Otago Polytechnic has been taking its first steps developing freely accessible and open education.
• Audio: IT Conversations recording of a presentation by Yochai Benkler] talking about how networked economy is transforming the way we capitalize business and culture.
• Open Educational Resources Readings and resources about open educational resources