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Successful computer-supported distance education requires that its enabling technologies are accessible and usable anywhere. They should work seamlessly inside and outside the information superhighway, wherever the target learners are located, without obtruding on the learning activity. It has long been recognised that the usability of interactive computer systems is inversely related to the visibility of the implementing technologies. Reducing the visibility of technology is especially challenging in the area of online language learning systems, which require high levels of interactivity and communication along multiple dimensions such as speaking, listening, reading and writing. In this article, the authors review the concept of invisibility as it applies to the design of interactive technologies and appliances. They describe a specialised appliance matched to the requirements for distance second language learning, and report on a successful multi-phase evaluation process, including initial field testing at a Thai open university.

Using Moodle as a support tool for teaching in Higher Education in Portugal: an exploratory study

The use of virtual learning environments in Higher Education (HE) has been growing in Portugal, driven by the Bologna Process. An example is the use of Learning Management Systems (LMS) that translates an opportunity to leverage the use of technological advances in the educational process. The progress of information and communication technologies (ICT) coupled with the great development of Internet has brought significant challenges to educators that require a thorough knowledge of their implementation process. These field notes present the results of a survey among teachers of a private HE institution in its use of Moodle as a tool to support face-to-face teaching. A research methodology essentially of exploratory nature based on a questionnaire survey, supported by statistical treatment allowed to detect motivations, type of use and perceptions of teachers in relation to this kind of tool. The results showed that most teachers, by a narrow margin (58%), had not changed their pedagogical practice as a consequence of using Moodle. Among those that did 67% attended institutional internal training. Some of the results obtained suggest further investigation and provide guidelines to plan future internal training.

Language Learning in 3D Virtual World

Second Life (SL) is an ideal platform for language learning. It is called a Multi-User Virtual Environment, where users can have varieties of learning experiences in life-like environments. Numerous attempts have been made to use SL as a platform for language teaching and the possibility of SL as a means to promote conversational interactions has been reported. However, the research so far has largely focused on simply using SL without further augmentations for communication between learners or between teachers and learners in a school-like environment. Conversely, not enough attention has been paid to its controllability which builds on the embedded functions in SL. This study, based on the latest theories of second language acquisition, especially on the Task Based Language Teaching and the Interaction Hypothesis, proposes to design and implement an automatized interactive task space (AITS) where robotic agents work as interlocutors of learners. This paper presents a design that incorporates the SLA theories into SL and the implementation method of the design to construct AITS, fulfilling the controllability of SL. It also presents the result of the evaluation experiment conducted on the constructed AITS.

DMG-Lib - The Digital Mechanism and Gear Library

Motion systems are important parts of technical products. Those are mostly composed of mechanisms and gears. Today mechanism and gear technology is essential for the whole industry and it will become even more important due to the introduction of new technologies and respective new fields of applications.

Learning Analytics

This paper provides a brief introduction to the domain of ‘learning analytics’. We first explain the background and idea behind the concept. Then we give a brief overview of current research issues. We briefly list some more controversial issues before concluding.

Barriers to a wider Implementation of LMS in Higher Education: a Swedish case study, 2006-2011

This article investigates barriers to a wider utilization of a Learning Management System (LMS). The study aims to identify the reasons why some tools in the LMS are rarely used, in spite of assertions that the learning experience and students’ performance can be improved by interaction and collaboration, facilitated by the LMS. Lecturers’ perceptions about the use of LMSs over the last four years at the School of Engineering, University of Borås were investigated. Seventeen lecturers who were interviewed in 2006 were interviewed again in 2011. The lecturers’ still use the LMS primarily for distribution of documents and course administration. The results indicate that their attitudes have not changed significantly. The apparent reluctance to utilize interactive features in the LMS is analyzed, by looking at the expected impact on the lecturers’ work situation. The author argues that the main barrier to a wider utilization of LMS is the lecturers’ fear of additional demands on their time. Hence, if educational institutions want a wider utilization of LMS, some kind of incentives for lecturers are needed, in addition to support and training.

A Simple Computer Game for Learning Mathematics

It is sometimes unquantifiable how hard it is for most people to deal with game addiction. Several articles have equally been published to address this subject, some suggesting the concept of Educational and serious games. Similarly, researchers have revealed that it does not come easy learning a subject like math. This is where the illusive world of computer games comes in. It is amazing how much people learn from games. In this paper, we have designed and programmed a simple PC math game that teaches rudimentary topics in mathematics.

Taxonomie von Unterrichtsmethoden

Nach wie vor gibt es für die didaktische Gestaltung von Unterrichtssituationen wenig zufrieden stellende Hilfsmittel, die sowohl unerfahrene Pädagoginnen und Pädagogen unterstützen, gleichzeitig aber auch Kreativität und didaktische Vielfalt von Expertinnen und Experten fördern. Dieses Buch präsentiert für dieses Dilemma einen neuen Lösungsansatz.

eLearning - Konzept und Drehbuch

- Die Entstehung eines Drehbuchs für eLearning Schritt für Schritt erläutert - Vermittelt Kernkompetenzen für Drehbuchautoren, Arbeitsorganisation und -abläufe - Durchgehend überarbeitet und aktualisiert

Bildungsdienstleistung eLearning

Die Möglichkeit, Lernen mit Hilfe digitaler Medien zu unterstützen, wird von der einschlägigen Forschungsliteratur mehrheitlich propagiert. Doch die Technik allein bringt nicht automatisch einen pädagogischen Mehrwert mit sich. Um Handlungsempfehlungen zum technologiebasierten Lehren und Lernen zu erstellen, fehlten bislang empirische Untersuchungen und Darstellungen der vielfältiger werdenden Praxis des didaktischen Handelns mit elektronischen Medien. Horst Rippien rekonstruiert mit leitfadengestützten Interviews sechs Fälle von Weiterbildungs-Organisationen und deren unterschiedliche Leistungen zur Anregung und Unterstützung des Lernens Erwachsener in technologisch gestützten Lehr-Lern-Settings. Der Ansatz der „Dienstleistung Weiterbildung“ betont die Rolle der Kooperation mit Auftraggebern und Lernenden, vergleicht die empirisch vorfindlichen flexiblen Organisationsprofile miteinander und führt sie zu einem wirkungsvollen eLearning zusammen.

Fortbildung online: Entwicklung, Erprobung und Evaluation eines tutoriell betreuten Online-Selbstlernangebots für Lehrkräfte

Qualität von Schule hängt u. a. von der Kompetenz der Lehrenden ab. Der Lehrerfortbildung als dritter und längster Phase der Lehrerbildung kommt dabei eine wesentliche Rolle zu, indem sie dem Erhalt der beruflichen Qualifikation von Lehrern dient. Lehrkräfte in nahezu allen deutschen Bundesländern sind verpflichtet, sich fortzubilden. Dazu steht ihnen das Veranstaltungsangebot staatlicher, konfessioneller sowie freier Anbieter zur Verfügung.

Fortbildung online: Entwicklung, Erprobung und Evaluation eines tutoriell betreuten Online-Selbstlernangebots für Lehrkräfte

The quality of schools mainly depends on the competence of teachers. Further professional development courses as third and longest period of teacher training play an essential role in maintaining professional skills. In almost every federal state teaching personnel are required to take part in further training courses. A range of courses offered by the State, the churches, and by independent institutions are available.