EduTek n Social Media Advisor

Various Ways of Engaging Students

In my earlier blog titled ‘Is Blended Learning the Future of Educational Scenario?’ I had mentioned that instruction offered through blended mode enhances learning. It is not enough that technology is utilized for offering instruction. The instruction must be designed in such a manner that enhances recall, application and retention of knowledge that has been imparted.

 

 I am reminded of a famous Chinese Proverb, that says,

 

“Tell me, and I’ll forget

Show me, and I may remember,

Involve me, and I’ll understand.” 

 

It is true one hundred percent. Hence technology should be utilized in such a manner that learners are actively engaged after transfer of knowledge and utilize the knowledge that has been transferred.

 

Therefore, I am suggesting various ways through which one can engage the students interestingly.

 

1.    Activities through social networks so that the learners share, collaborate and arrive at a solution.

2.    Activities through games (suggested link to a simple game to teach English preposition) as they allow the learners to realize the pre-determined objectives through usage of acquired information, deploying various mental methods and physical actions related to specific concepts or areas of learning in enjoyable way quickly.

3.    Interactive and engaging assessments as they improve learning, since immediate feedback is offered in most of the cases.

4.    Mind maps as they work similar to brain, allowing associations and links to be recorded and reinforced.

5.    Videos, since they send the messages to be delivered effectively.

6.    Virtual Reality as it enables you to offer active, realistic and immersive experience to the learner.

7.    Rubrics as they help learners set and realize goals and assume ownership for their performance.

8.    Timeline generators (example) since they enable one to record historical. planned or projected periods and events according to the sequence of their occurrence.

 

I have just suggested few ways through which one can engage the students where transfer of knowledge gained takes place. These activities would reduce ‘‘inert knowledge’, the knowledge learners fail to transfer from one setting to another.

 

 

Please share how you had engaged or would engage your students.

Social Media n Learning

Let me first explain what ‘Social Media’ is and then explore the possibilities of using them for enhancing learning.

 

Social Media represents the online tools that enable anyone to interact in one-one, one-many and many-many conversational format deviating from typical one-way broadcasting options offered by media. The real-time, borderless interaction offered to participants provide an opportunity to make use of 3Cs Collaboration, Community, Communication effectively to enhance learning and pave way for innovation.

 

Various Social Media Tools for Learning are:

 

• Blogging
• Microblogging
• Social Networks
• Podcasting
• Wiki, Google Docs

Why should you Use Social Media for Learning?

 

According to Lave & Wenger, 1991, “Learning is an integral and inseparable aspect of social practice”. Since we are moving towards a Knowledge-era model, where social networks provide an opportunity to community and individuals to share, construct and reconstruct knowledge, we should make full use of the opportunities offered by social media to enhance better understanding of concepts.

 

Various Applications of Social Media Tools for Learning

 

 

Blogging: Can be used for publishing purposes. In case of group work, blogs can be made use of to share, edit information. The final outcome of group work, after filtering not so important things can be finally published, which can be shared easily. For blogging one can start with Blogger, WordPressand TypePad

 

Micro Blogging: Twitter plays an important role in enabling short communication of 140 characters among users. It can be used for exchanging reference links and to inform about important announcements such as events, conferences to users.

 

Social Media Networks: Here Ning lets you join and create new networks based on your passion and interests.

 

Podcasting: Podcasting is a new type of online delivery where one can publish audio files via internet and enable your users to subscribe through an RSS feed to receive new files. The sites listed in the link accept podcast submissions. Expert lectures by professionals can be recorded (ofcourse with their permission) and can be podcasted.

 

Sharing & Editing Tools:  Google Docs, Wiki (PBWorks). These tools enable one to share and edit information. Hence can be used for announcing assignments for students and monitoring their progress by offering useful suggestions.

 

Thus Social Media with Web 2.0 capabilities has made the world a flat one. It is in the hands of educationists to use them effectively to enhance learning.

 

Role of Organic Twitter Optimization in Determining Twitter Grades

Let me first introduce the factors that play an important role in determining Twitter Grades (TG). They are:

 

• Power
•  Reach
• Authority of a twitter account

 

Or in other words, TG determines the quality of tweets sent by you and the influence of them upon others. 

 

The following factors play a crucial role as Twitter Algorithm take note of these things;

 

• Follower / Following ratio – The greater the value better it will be for Twitter Grades (TG).
• Power of Followers – If more people with high TG follow you the better it will be.
• Tweets – Here all the three, quantity, frequency and the recency matter.
• Dialogue – The dialogue you establish also plays an important role in getting higher TG.

 

Let me now come to Organic Twitter Optimization and its role in determining TG. Organic Twitter Optimization, refers to increasing your followers organically by methods such as

 

• Sending tweets of high quality so that they get retweeted.
• By means of getting reference for Follow Friday
• Getting Tagged references
• Sending tweets with # tag, thereby increasing the results for search results.
• Manually following people with high grades relevant to your field, so that reciprocal effect occurs when your tweets are of good quality.
• Getting followers through participation in social networks

 

Building followers by this way takes some time and requires considerable effort from the tweeter, as unless the quality of the tweets are good, he or she will not get much response.

 

But if you do send quality tweets and grow your followers organically, then you stand a good chance of getting good grades.

 

View the result for my case, where my twitter identity is @ELnSMediaExpert

 

The following screenshot shows the result I obtained on 22^nd Sep 09.

 

 

The above page can also be accessed by clicking the link here.

 

 

The figures are not so great. I just had 103 followers and the number of people I follow is 101. But the quality of tweets I send, and the people I follow played a very important role. Since both are good, I got a decent grade of 86/100.

 

This confirms that quality matters and Organic Twitter Optimization, not merely plays an important role in improving your Twitter Grades, but in retaining or improving the grades too!

 

 

Social Media Marketing 4 Business Owners

Before stressing the importance of Social Media Marketing (SMM), let me just explain in a simple manner, what Social Media actually is, and later on try to explain the SMM.

 

Social Media represents the online tools that enable you to interact in one-one, one-many and many-many conversational format deviating from usual one-way broadcasting options offered by media. The real-time, borderless interaction offered to participants provide an opportunity to establish a brand for individual / company.

 

Often times I have come across people asking whether SMM has replaced Internet Marketing, SEO. My humble opinion is that SMM has not n will not replace internet marketing but will compliment it.

 

In spite of SMM. Companies and individuals should have their website to present their products / services in a detailed manner. Even now most of the prospects search the web using keywords to identify their requirements. Hence SEO must be implemented to occupy the first few positions in search engines for specific keywords.

 

But after zeroing in on individuals / companies for their requirements, the prospects would like to find out the credibility of the individuals / companies offering such services or products. Here, Social Media plays an important role as it provides an opportunity to endorse the product / service. The recommendations offered, speak for the credibility of the product / service.

 

Therefore when business owners implement both SEO & SMM they can not only come in first  few positions for relevant keywords, they can be assured that through SMM, they have established their brand.

 

PayPerClick can be implemented for immediate visible results while Organic SEO can be done for ensuring results for relevant keywords.

 

SMM can be implemented by effective participation in social networks. The main ones being,

 

· Blogs

· Facebook

· Linkedin

· Twitter

 

Through these Social Media Networks one can

 

1. Establish Branding (matching with website)

2. Increase Traffic (create targeted traffic)

3. Implement CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and URM (User Relationship Management)

 

According to recent figures by CNN.com/technology, the population of Facebook was over 300 million, nearly as large as US population which is 307 million. This only confirms that people would be using Social Media before buying anything as they rely on user’s experience about the product / service.

 

Since web 2.0 has made the world a flat one, getting traffic from different parts of the world plays an important role if your business caters to their requirements. Hence all business owners, experts, offering services in medical, legal, IT etc should start implementing SMM to realize its full potential for professional success.   

 

The video embedded shows how SMM can be implemented to promote business.

Calculate Your Digital Relevant Presence Using Online ID Calculator

Hi,

I would like to share with you one very important tool, that enables you to determine your online relevant presence. The tool is nothing but Online ID Calculator.

The determination of Online ID using this tool is very simple.

Type the following URL in the browser and you’ll be taken to the webpage shown below. http://www.onlineidcalculator.com/index.php

Type your name and email id and click begin.

 Now you’ll be taken to another page and will be asked to answer 7 questions. The questions asked by the tool are so professional and objective, it really projects the true result for one’s online identity.

I was quite thrilled to know that I am digitally distinctive, which can be verified by clicking here. I got the following congratulatory message:

 “Congratulations. You are digitally distinct!

 A search of your name yields lots of results about you, and most, if not all, reinforce your unique personal brand. Keep up the good work, and remember that your Google results can change as fast as the weather in New England.”

 I was even allowed to don my webpage with the following badge, which I had done immediately. (Check the site here)

In these days of information era, where illiteracy is viewed as not knowing usage of computers and where one is required to learn, unlearn and relearn, establishing a strong relevant digital presence is not merely important but goes a long way in confirming your brand for services you offer.

So why not check your digital presence using Online ID Calculator.

Doesn’t matter if you are not digitally distinctive first time. You can start building your presence and check the results after some time.

 I am reminded of a saying better late than never. This applies to establishing your relevant digital presence too!

 

Research in Inter-Disciplinary Area (ELearning)

As my website comes in 1^st few positions for keywords such as  Consultant 4 ELearning, Advisor 4 ELearning etc many of the aspiring Ph.D. students who want to pursue doctorate in ELearning have been approaching me and asking me to guide them.

 

Though I am not free, I thought I should oblige if students are serious about their Ph.D. program. Most of them are serious in their pursuit with nearly 15 years of experience in teaching.

 

The faculties themselves have come with the requisition to guide them. Since the students’ major in post graduate study varied from Computer Science to Physics and various branch of Engineering, I decided to get opinion of others about who should do Ph.D. in ELearning and who can guide them.

 

Since ELearning is an inter-disciplinary area involving both learning and technology, I thought a person who has majored in one of these 2 fields but proficient in other can be chosen to guide them.

 

Since in India no University as such offers Master’s Degree in ELearning, I thought the above choice may be good. Then came one student with the request of asking me to act as Co-Guide along with one professor of Physics. This idea looked fine to me too.

 

Hence based on these enquiries I have created 2 polls on Linkedin. Though few people have answered the poll, they represent the qualified professionals, as Linkedin is an interconnected network of experienced professionals.

 

The Poll Resuls are given below.

My I Poll

 

Who would be an ideal student to pursue Ph.D. in inter-disciplinary area ELearning? A student with

• M.Phil. in IT interested in Learning
• M.Phil. in Education with IT skills
• M.Phil. in any subject
• Both 1 and 2
• Both 1,2 and 3

The results showed

• 45% preferring 5^th the choice
• 27% preferring 2^nd choice
• 18% preferring 4^th choice
• 9 % selecting 1^st choice

The actual results can be accessed by clicking here, though it may require you to log into Linkedin.

Then I also conducted a poll to identify who would be ideal to guide the students in ELearning.

 

My II Poll

 

Who would be ideal person to guide the students for Ph.D. in ELearning? An ELearning Expert who has done Ph.D. in

• Education with IT Skills
• IT with expertise in Learning Theories
• Any Ph.D. with EL expert as Co-Guide
• Choices 1 and 2
• Choices 1, 2 and 3

The results showed

• 50% preferring 5^th choice
• 16% preferring each of the choices 1,2 and 3

The actual results can be accessed by clicking here, though it may require you to log into Linkedin.

 

The Linkedin poll results confirm my opinion. I feel any college professor with expertise in IT skills can do Ph.D. in ELearning and any Professor with ELearning Expert as Co-Guide can guide the students for Ph.D. degree. This being an inter-disciplinary area, experts from ELearning Industries must be considered as they would be aware of latest happenings in both the domains.

 

Since ELearning Experts have excellent career options, many students decide to opt for doing Ph.D. in this area. Hope the fate of these students is decided properly and soon.

 

Viewers, please share your opinion in comment box.

 

Educational ERP

Most of us associated with ELearning would be familiar with LMS (Learning Management System) which represents a large range of systems that organize and give access to online learning services for students, instructors and administrators.

 

Now let me introduce Educational ERP. What does it do? ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) we know integrates the functions of various departments of organization. Therefore Educational ERP must also perform similar work. Right?

 

Yes. The Educational ERP has LMS integrated into it and therefore manages both Management and Learning aspects of the institution.

 

An Educational ERP normally would have following unique features such as

 

• Management Portal
• Student Portal,
• Instructor’s  Portal
• Staff Portal
• Guest portal,
• Alumni Portal
• Parent's Portal,
• Recruiters Portal, etc

These portals enable the users to have best experience with information.

 

Now that you have an idea of what is meant by ‘Educational ERP’ let me introduce the concept of Campus ERP. What does it do?

 

I am sure you’ve guessed it correctly. It integrates the functions of various institutions.

 

So, who should go for Campus ERP?

 

Apart from Universities that have various colleges affiliated to them, Campus ERP can be used by

Managements that have

• Various institutions under one umbrella in one city.
• Various institutions in different places.
• Intention of automating its workflow process.
• Intention of introducing online courses
• Intention of introducing blended mode of education

What are the advantages?

 

It allows the

• Management to concentrate on Higher Education Challenges
• Management to retain students due to better management of information
• Management to offer more courses as faculties are less burdened with evaluation work

ROI can be realized based on both tangible and intangible benefits.

 

So why not go for Educational ERP? It is like going to a new office from an old one, but worth the effort.

Collaboration Using Limited IT Budget

Recently I came across a case study where collaboration was realized for Kindergarten using limited IT resources. Aik Kaun Kindergarten, situated at Jenjarom, 100 km west of Malaysian Capital Kaula Lumpur, is the school which initiated this collaborative movement.

 

Aik Kaun, which has got 300 students in the age group 4- 6 years wanted to introduce collaborative environment for children. Since the IT resources appeared inadequate, Aik Kuan took a new approach by choosing to introduce the Microsoft® MultiPoint™ program, which extends the benefits of technology to  deserving communities around the world.

 

Partnering with Dynabook Group, Microsoft promoted the MultiPoint Program by conducting a pilot study which included Aik Kaun. Instead of having to provide 20 computers for a class of 20 students, MultiPoint Program realized the same result by a single PC, an LCD projector and mice for required No. of students.

Ready-to-use lessons plans were developed by Dynabook, that deployed Mouse Mischief, for Microsoft® Office PowerPoint® 2003 which enabled instructors to create interactive lessons for the class.

 

This program engages the students at affordable cost. Apart from hardware, savings can be realized on software licenses, maintenance and support, peripherals and electricity cost.

 

The new system being user friendly, the teachers had mastered it in 2 days with effective training. This program served dual purpose of offering a computer-based learning center at reasonable cost, while assuring improved learning experience for students.

 

Others can explore the possibility of

 

• Introducing it to other classes
• Trying new interactive experiences

If viewers have had some experience with this or similar program they are most welcome to share it.

Is Blended Learning the Future of Educational Scenario?

The recent study by U.S. Department of Education finds that blended mode of instruction, where elements of instruction from face-to-face and online mode are combined, proves to be advantageous compared to just face-to-face or instruction offered completely through online mode.

 

The analysis also proved that the instruction offered through complete online mode was far more effective in enhancing student achievement than instruction offered through complete face to face method.

 

Hence the outcome of learning gets improved if the instructions are offered in the following priority.

1. Blended mode of instruction
2. Online mode of instruction
3. Face-to-face instruction

So how can the institutions which have been offering instructions through just F2F mode can switch over to the blended mode of instruction?

 

The blended mode of instruction can be implemented in the following ways:

1. Instruction through F2F complemented by assignments/ assessments through blended mode.
2. Instruction through F2F and online mode complemented by assignments / assessments through blended mode.

The resources available through online mode can be accessed by students anytime and anywhere and if they adhere to CC licenses, then the reuse of learning objects (LOs) will throw a wide array of opportunities to explore further and innovate.

 

The LOs in online mode can include animations, simulations, games etc They must be incorporated in the instructional design in right proportion in an interesting manner allowing students to interact, engage with the resources, instructor and peer groups. The web 2.0 tools integrated with the LMS will allow students to collaborate with peers and instructor and enable them to arrive at a unique solution.

 

Hope Universities and Institutes who have not yet implemented blended mode will start thinking in that direction and offer education through blended mode to enhance learning outcome.

Unique Learning Experience at UoPeople

Today being Independence Day (for India), I was watching ID programs on TV and also reading Newspapers. Then, I came across the news about 1^st Tuition-Free University in Indian Express and thought why not I share it with my audience.

 

The University of the People (UoPeople) founded by Shai Reshef offers tuition free online education, making higher education a right to all rather than being open to certain privileged class.

 

The University is established by Founder, President, Shai Reshef and has opened its doors to students from all over the world from its virtual address www.uopeople.org

 

The learning model of the University is based on peer-to-peer teaching that encourages students to share resources, exchange views, discuss assignments and course topics. The peer-to-peer teaching / learning would be realized with a defined curriculum and through dedicated educators.

 

Thus the University model is based on the marriage between collaborative learning and resources of internet. The Education 2.0 model enables the students to establish their presence through portfolios, forums, online libraries besides learning materials.

 

The University has thrown its doors open to students this year with 4 courses, two each in Business Administration and Computer Science. The University is supported by Academic Committee consisting of experts in various fields from all over the world.

Adding Sqworl Bookmarklet to Your Toolbar

Hi

Today I added Sqworl Bookmarklet to my Google Toolbar. It is quite simple to do it. Visit the URL, www.sqworl.com/index.php  Just login if you are already a member or register yourself

Once you login you get the following webpage.

  

Just drag the button ‘Add to Sqworl’ button to your Google Toolbar if you are using Mozilla. If you are using IE, then right click the button and select ‘Add to favorites’. That’s all, Sqworl button gets added to your Google Toolbar as shown below.

 Just click the button, save your web pages under various groups and access them wherever you are.