Exploring Online Tools For TeachingAlexandre Enkerli

Department of Sociology and AnthropologyConcordia University

http://enkerli.wordpress.com/http://www.slideshare.net/Enkerli

Introduction

• Overwhelmed?– Internet use by students– Internet use by colleagues

• Technology changes– Accompany teaching changes

• What can be done?– Moodle– Facebook– Other tools

Workshop

• Exploration of tools– Inside classroom– Outside classroom

• Presentation– Experiences, learning contexts

• Round-table discussion– Some issues with educational technology

Plan

• Self-introductions• Presentation on tools• Discuss other tools• Discussion on issues

Why Am I Here?

• Nobody special (PTF at Soc. and Anthro.)• “

Free, Open, Flexible: Rethinking Learning Materials Online” (Spirit of Inquiry)

• Tech/Teach backgrounds• Use of Online Tools• Ph.D. seminar

Computer Technology

• “Wannabe geek” (online since 1993)• Hang out with “geeks”• Blogger since 2005

Teaching

• Ghost of Piaget• Diverse teaching experience (Qc, NB, IN, MA)• Informal and formal teaching• Bridges between life and teaching• “Born to teach” Facebook group

Controversial Stance?

• “Learning happens despite teaching”• “Tools meant to be used”– Think about possibilities (“sales pitch”)– Anti-deterministic

Participant Introductions

Presenting Tools

Tools to Cover

• Moodle• Facebook• RefWorks• Slideshare• Maybe– Blogging– YouTube

Moodle

A Free, Open Source Course Management System for Online

Learning

Moodle

• Learning/Course Management System• Virtual Learning Environment• Also: Sakai, Oncourse, Blackboard, WebCT• “Interactive course website.”– Provide content– Do activities

Moodle Use

• Platform (modules, applications)• Resources (content) or Activities (interaction)• Constructivist model• Teacher-student connection• Moodle community

Moodle Issues

• Outside authentication (ConU)• Training/documentation• Versions• Some confusing tools• Toward social networking

Facebook

A social utility that connects you with the people around you

Facebook

• 800 lbs. gorilla• Social phenomenon• “Where students are”• Social networking system• Platform with applications

Facebook and Learning

• Socialisation• Peer-learning• Informal learning• Discovery• Use as CMS

Facebook Issues

• Black hole? (“Addictive”)• Commercial site (advertising)• Scarcity of dedicated learning tools• Lack clear roles• “Where students are”

RefWorks

Your online research management, writing and collaboration tool

RefWorks Use

• Online citation manager– “Web-enabled EndNote”

• Concordia availability• Library catalogues (CLUES, MUSE...)• Google Scholar integration• Desktop integration (Microsoft Word)• RefShare

RefWorks Issues

• Few students really use• Cumbersome login (ConU)• Few databases (PubMed, OCLC Trial)• Missing some Endnote features?– Attachment– Formatted list– Handheld/PDA

SlideShare

YouTube for PowerPoint

SlideShare Use

• Upload before class• Edit during class• Embed after class• Slidecast (with sound)

Slideshare Issues

• PowerPoint/PDF/OpenDocument• Changed fonts• Posting delays• Indirect editing• Cumbersome audio synchronisation

Blogging

Blogging Use

• Self-publishing• Blogging as low-stakes writing• Blogging as sharing• Bridge with life, examples

Blogging Issues

• Author-based• Less than thoughtful comments• Keeping up?• Writing style?

YouTube

Broadcast Yourself

YouTube Use

• In-class examples• UC Berkeley lectures• Advantages– Publicly accessible– Sharing, comments– Self-learning– Peer-teaching

YouTube Issues

• Image quality• Streaming problems• Pulled-off content• Haters

Other Tools

Discuss Issues

Discuss Issues (examples)

• Comfort• Luddites and fear of technology• Shelters or windmills• Teacher control• Online/offline learning• Informal/formal learning• Resources (time, money)