In this episode we look at two different types of online learning environments: a centralised Learning Management System (LMS), and free open access social media (such as Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, etc). We discuss the benefits of each and highlight some important issues that need to be considered when using each of them.
Web 2.0 tools can be useful for any situation where discussion and content sharing is desired, and where accessing current information in certain topic areas can be advantageous for learning. This case study examines how and why Lubna Alam from the University of Canberra used the Moodle Learning Management System (LMS) as a central hub that both provided her students with easy access to the class blogs, wiki and Twitter, and a place where information from the different technologies was amalgamated. The integration of web 2.0 technologies into the learning process is examined, highlighting how this can improve student engagement, communication and collaboration.
This case study features Tam Nguyen from The University of New South Wales, describing how a blog was used in one particular teaching context to promote peer-to-peer interaction, feedback and discussion. Tam's students also integrate YouTube and Flickr into their blogs, maximising the potential of both social media and a learning management system.
This case study examines how the use of a wiki can help a teacher effectively facilitate student collaboration with on-campus or distance students. It discusses the importance of providing technical support for both staff and students, planning clearly defined collaborative learning activities, and designing relevant assessment strategies to help support students develop effective teamwork skills.
This work by La Vitrine Technologie-Éducation is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5 Canada License.