Teaching Effectively with E-Learning

INFORMATION PAPER International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering, Vol. 1, No. 2, May 2009

Teaching Effectively with E-Learning A. Dr. Salma Kuraishy1, B. Dr. Mohammad Ubaidullah Bokhari2 Aligarh Muslim University Department of Education, Aligarh, India Email: [email protected] 2 Australian Institute of Engineering &Technology, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia Email:{mubokhari}@aiet.vic.edu.au 1

Abstract— This paper attempts to investigate the different ways in which teaching and learning can be made effective using modern enabling technologies. In this paper four key e-learning technologies have been explored and how they are being used by teachers to provide interactive and stimulating learning experiences in colleges in the United Kingdom. These are- the computers, Internet, SMART boards and Moodle. Further, the paper analyses the pedagogical principles underlying the new technologies and examines how learning theories support the use of elearning.

II. E-LEARNING AND THEORIES OF LEARNING E-learning is anything to do with computer technology as is evident from the following web definition. Electronic learning (or e-Learning or eLearning) is a type of education where the medium of instruction is computer technology. ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_learning [3] How do the learning theories support the use of elearning? A. The Behaviourist School

Index Terms- Effective teaching, Computers, the Internet, Moodle, SMART board,

I. INTRODUCTION People today want education for business or jobs. They want to learn effectively and easily therefore the task of the teacher is to provide learning experiences which are learner-centred, fun, encourage creativity and enthusiasm [Gravells, 1]. Under such circumstances what can the teachers do to provide stimulating learning experiences? Learning styles and teaching methods are undergoing a change and our attitudes towards modern teaching must also change. Williams [2] describes the effect of elearning as revolutionary. The traditional class room cannot meet the needs of the present day world as modern technologies change the ways we learn. Today’s teacher has to use a range of learning resources to support learners using ICT (information communication technology) in order to achieve the New Professional Standards QTLS (Qualified Teaching and Learning Skills) as set by the Learning and Skills Council, UK. Keeping the above in mind, firstly in this paper we examine the use of e-learning and how it is supported by theories of learning. In the second section we discuss the use of computers, the Internet, Moodle and Smart Boards in making teaching effective and look at some ways in which teachers and learners can benefit from e-learning. In section three we review the pros and cons of e-learning applications. Finally we conclude in section 4.

The two main theorists are Pavlov and Skinner. Pavlov showed how learning is often achieved through association. Common examples of such behaviours are phobias. An e-learning example would be that of a student who is terrified of computers and dislikes a subject due to how it is taught rather than what is taught. Skinner’s operant conditioning is learning through the consequences of our behaviours of positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment. This theory supports a safe learning environment for learners in an e-learning classroom by providing monitor screens and cautioning them against dangerous exposed wires. Also a student learns from a computer which marks wrong and right responses without the fear of ridicule. But it can also be detrimental to learning when the learner’s attempts do not seem to improve despite practice. However the fear of punishment by the teacher is certainly ruled out as the teacher’s role is that of a guide and a facilitator, [Mcgrath, 4]. B. Humanism The most famous humanist psychologists are Rogers, Maslow and Dewey who view humans as innately good and desiring to achieve perfection, without recourse to a God. Humanists are against traditional pedagogy which stifles the progression of individual growth and development. Humanism emphasized the need for individuals to grow and develop in their own fashion which Maslow termed as self-actualisation. New technologies assist this type of learning by empowering learners through independent learning and nurture positive attitudes in learners who take pride in their achievements [Mcgrath, 4].

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INFORMATION PAPER International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering, Vol. 1, No. 2, May 2009

spoken word and therefore great for inclusive learning for students with learning disabilities.

C. The Cognitive Approach This describes how humans go about making sense of their world by gathering and organizing information [Piaget, 5]. Organizing, assimilating, and accommodating can be viewed as a kind of complex balancing act whereby people continually test the adequacy of their thinking processes in order to achieve that balance. Equilibration happens when a particular scheme is applied to an event or situation and the scheme works but when the scheme does not work to produce satisfaction then disequilibrium results. This helps to motivate us to keep searching for solutions Woolfolk, 6]. What implications, then does this theory have for e-learning? The theory of constructivism suggests that learners construct knowledge out of their experiences hence it is associated with pedagogic approaches that promote active learning, or learning by doing. The web exercises and the SMART board with interactive exercises are full of opportunities for learning through these constructs. III. USING E-LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING Reece [7] defines a teaching strategy as a combination of student activities supported by the use of appropriate resources needed by a teacher. Learning takes place by all the five senses, hence learning resources should combine more than one sense in a visual aid like a Power Point or a web-based presentation. So anything we use to augment our teaching or learning strategy can be a teaching or learning aid or a resource. A. Computers or Laptops Computers and laptops are very much like mobiles in our lives now and are being used both by teachers and students. With the introduction of wireless technology learning can take place both inside and out of class. Reece [7] states that the computer when coupled with a projector is a device for showing a demonstration, or a DVD for showing a clip, but when linked to the web it is a means of taking the classroom to the student and an effective means of communicating with students. The teacher can add variety to teaching with audio-visual material and multimedia thereby providing an inclusive, equitable and motivating learning environment. The different software allows learners and teachers to create quality documents. Microsoft Office includes a number of tools like the Microsoft Word, the Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft Excel which enables learners to type, edit, and save their composition. There are other specialist software like PowerPoint, Corel Draw, Photoshop, Moviemaker, Macromedia Dream-weaver, Notepad and Paint which are popular with learners as they experiment with it creatively in their specialist fields. JAWS, is a specially designed software which helps the blind to follow teachers’ instructions or the

B. The Internet The Internet or the World Wide Web (www) is being used as a major teaching resource in the United Kingdom. The Broadband has enabled users to access information from hundreds of websites using search engines (Google and Yahoo), for researching, creating their own web pages like HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) and making their own blogs or web-logs .These websites provide learners with entertainment channels and chat rooms to communicate with people. It enables students to practice their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in languages with interactive activities and games and provide intensive and extensive subject specific lesson exercises. It helps learners to create self- tests, which enables them to monitor record and improve their own progress as in the case of gaining Basic Skills in Adult Literacy. C. SMART Boards The invention of the interactive whiteboard or SMART Board has revolutionized the style and delivery of teaching as paperless lessons are becoming a fad. These display screen technologies are being used with software to make lessons interactive and enjoyable. The software has endless possibilities for delivering effective lessons with available web-links, resources created by the teacher, showing video clips, playing music CDs, using interactive CDs which provide students with hands-on exercises on the screen. The students can also record themselves and play back immediately to check their development of language skills. Digital cameras, videos, mobile phones, ipods, the U-tube can be used with these boards to teach effectively. IT Learning Exchange [8] on the educational value of SMART Boards argues that it is not the technology but how it will be used will ultimately determine its value for teaching and learning. D. Moodle Hart [9] defines Moodle as an open source course management system (CMS) that is taking the educational world by storm. It provides all the sophisticated high level functionality of an educational Course Management System and more. More and more colleges and universities and even businesses are turning to Moodle to deliver courses online. These electronic classrooms have made it possible for colleges and universities to create VLEs which allows learners to access the libraries and electronic journals, visit chat rooms, interact with action groups sets, browse class lectures, take part in discussion forums and activity tasks set by the teachers, research and prepare assignments. Every subject can be made interesting and interactive with the help of CMS.

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INFORMATION PAPER International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering, Vol. 1, No. 2, May 2009

REFERENCES

IV. PROS AND CONS OF E-LEARNING Although e-learning is being used in teaching it has yet to gain wholehearted acceptance. In the United Kingdom colleges have used ICT or ILT (information learning technology) to make learning more enjoyable and interesting. They provide positive feedback on the benefits of integrating technology with teaching and learning [Bell, 8], [FERL, 8]. Yet e-learning is not without its limitations. Kelly [10] reflects some concerns with regard to integrating technology into the curriculum. There are other concerns that come with the integrated technology package and affect our lifestyles. These are the effects on our personal, social, emotional, physical and economic life. Integrating technology into the curriculum as a hallmark of quality is causing stress and teacher burn-out as they put more and more effort to meet the Standards Verification (SVUK) criteria. Nevertheless we still believe that the effectiveness of teaching can be enhanced by e-learning technologies. CONCLUSION In this paper we have examined how theories of learning support teaching by e-learning. We have discussed how four new technologies mainly Internet, computers, SMART Boards and Moodle are being used for teaching effectively. Lastly we have analyzed the pros and cons of e-learning. These new technologies have opened up new horizons in teaching and learning where the learning and teaching possibilities are endless.

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[1] Gravells, A (2006) Delivering Adult Learning Learning Matters Ltd [2] Williams, R. C (2002) [email protected] in the proceedings of the First Annual Conference of Society for Educational Technology, Research and Development, in the National Conference on Integrating Technology into Teaching and Learning. (Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India February 9-10, 2002), pp 281-284, Volume 1

[3] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_learning Accessed site: 18/02/09 [4] Mcgrath, K [2008] Applications of the behaviourist approach to learning Diploma in Professional Studies in Post Compulsory Education and Training, UCE Birmingham, 10th March 2008 [Lecture Notes taken by S. Bukhari].

[5] Piaget, J. 1954, The construction of reality in the child (M. Cook, Trans.). New York: Basic Books. [6] Woolfolk, A (Ninth Edition) Educational Psychology Pearson Education, pp 28-55 [7] Reece, I & Walker, S (2006) Teaching, training and learning, 6th edition. Sunderland: Business education Publishers. [8] IT Learning Exchange, Bell, Mary Ann, FERL, Enhanced Learning through Technology http://www.waukesha.k12.wi.us /WIT/SmartBoard /benefits.html Accessed site: 19/02/09 [9] Hart, Jane [2009 ] Moodle http://www.c4lpt.co.uk/ Top100tools/moodle.html Accessed site: 19/02/09 [10] Kelly, Melissa [2009] Integrating technology in teaching http://www.712educators.about.com/ CS/technology/a/integratetech.htm Accessed site : 19/02/09.