EyA system: Automated audio-video-slide recordings
We discuss on an innovative system developed in-house to archive and share scientific lectures carried out using modern presentations (PPT, PDF, animations, etc) or, alternatively, the commonly used traditional chalkboards found in classrooms. The system -named "Enhance your Audience" (EyA), allows to widening the audience for such activities with little efforts. The technologies employed are low-cost.
Streaming recorded Lessons using a TabletPC
At our university of applied sciences we are working with part time students which sometimes can not come to the lessons because they are tied up with business. Those lessons where the lecturer is talking and there is only a little interaction with the students are now recorded. The major aspect why this recordings are so popular by our students is the fact that we are recording the desktop of the lecturers laptop and their voice. Instead of writing on the chalkboard the lecturers are writing on
From Questions to Queries
The extension of (Internet) databases forces everyone to become more familiar with techniques of data storage and retrieval because users’ success often depends on their ability to pose right questions and to be able to interpret their answers. University programs pay more attention to developing database programming skills than to data exploitation skills. To educate our students to become “database users”, the authors intensively exploit supportive tools simplifying the production of databa
Information Technology Education in the Sri Lankan School System: Challenges and Perspectives
Introduction of Information Technology into the secondary school curriculum in Sri Lanka is a very recent development. The subject General Information Technology (GIT) was included for G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination in 2005 while plans are afoot to introduce Information Technology as a subject for G.C.E. Ordinary Level from 2008. Results of the first GIT examination held in 2005 clearly show poor performance by students. Considering the large amount of money spent for Information Technology e
Virtual Continent in the Classroom: Teaching e-Business Integration Issues with Web-based Technologi
In this extended abstract we outline a Web-based learning approach for e-Business integration issues. We present a virtual toolbox, including an advisable open source tool and Web Service Application Programming Interfaces (WS APIs). By applying a collaborative learning model and by incorporating Web 2.0 features such as Web services, operating with the SOAP protocol, we were able to increase the motivational background as well as the learning success of our students significantly.
Collaborative learning - New learning models and applications
Distance education – defined as education that takes place when the learner and the instructor are in separate location – is undergoing changes throughout the world. The teaching environment is undergoing a major shift as more and more programs are offering classes online. This shift is due to rising costs in education, enrollment management issues, and an evolution in the use of distance learning.
Implementation Process of ePortfolio at FH JOANNEUM
This paper describes the design of Portfolio and its application at FH JOANNEUM in a range of contexts where it will be used to make learning outcomes visible and to facilitate personal development planning. The flexibility of the ePortfolio architecture is appraised and the integration with virtual learning environments is discussed. Preliminary findings from evaluation studies (feedback / data obtained from students, graduates and staff evaluations and discussions, and relevant points arising
Online Library of Scientific Models - A New Way to Teach, Learn, and Share Learning Experience
While scientific models are usually communicated in paper format, the need to reprogram every model by every user results in a huge loss of efforts, time and money, hence lengthening the educational and research developing cycle and loosing the learning experience and expertise gained by every user. We demonstrate a new portal www.imodelit.com that hosts a library of scientific models for electrical engineers in the form of java applets. They are all conformal, informative, with strong input and
Accessible E-Learning and Educational Technology - Extending Learning Opportunities for People with
The article describes possible barriers in e-learning and educational technology for people with disabilities. It starts with an overview of the different ways disabled people work with computers and assistive technology. Then several examples of creating accessible content and communication are provided. But because accessibility is not only about following technical standards and guidelines it is pointed out that accessible e-learning is more than just technology, using concepts of universal d
Making online-courses more learner centred, more learner drivenand more social
This contribution focuses the question if is it possible at all to follow eLearning 2.0 paradigm using a state of the art learning management system or do we have to replace well established tools in order to advance eLearning. How can teachers develop their online courses regarding to eLearning 2.0 perceptions? During the last years the author tried to enhance her online courses to make them more learner centred, learner driven and social. Her substantial experiences are summarized.
Web-based teaching as a performance enhancer in foreign language teaching in Sri Lanka
This paper discusses the results of a pilot study conducted at University of Kelaniya in integrating web-based teaching into the study programmes of German as a Foreign Language. Since German is not a language popular at secondary school level, student offering to read the language at the university commence language learning as beginners. Albeit the courses are designed to impart language knowledge to all students equally, the performance of the majority of students at examinations indicated th
Multicultural Classroom - The Potential of ICT for Intercultural Integration of Children in Primary
Migration is a worldwide phenomenon these days. Thus schools and in particular primary schools have to face the challenge of multicultural classrooms. Information and communication technologies can support the integration process of those children, as they can contribute to the main issues of intercultural integration.
Future Potential of ICT Implementation in University Education in Jordan
The emerging information and communication technology (ICT) has become a strategic alternative for universities all over the world to enhance learning and deliver both quantity and quality programs. The status of ICT infrastructure in Jordan is investigated through a number of core indicators to identify the underlying factors which emerge as serious obstacles to the progress of university eEducation. Findings show that Jordan has made a good progress in international ranking in both the network
The remote experiment position in actual taxonomy
Taxonomy is a classification effort for establishment of learning/teaching operational objectives. There are some famous taxonomies, BloomÂ’s being the most quoted. In spite of the fact that some researchers have tried to explain the position of elearning in already known taxonomies, this subject was not too much in the general attention. In the paper the authors intend to go deeply and to analyze the position of the new methodology-remote experiment-in the actual taxonomies. In addition they ha
Remote engineering implies a new strategy of assessment?
When we spoken about remote engineering as a new methodology used in the cyberspace with the final goal of the teaching/learning improvement and cost sharing, we are obliged to approach all of the process sides. Assessment is one of these sides and there is considered the most powerful tool for illustration, in the qualitative and quantitative ways, the learners responds at educational objectives offered by the remote engineering learning environment. In the present paper the authors have the in
Information technology in forming cognitive skills
In the authors opinions, the most important role of education process is forming developed cognitive skills, such as interdisciplinary critical thinking, problem solving, decision making, but enabling role of information technology in forming cognitive skills is not estimated enough. Accomplishing the investigation of the forming cognitive skills authors discovered similarity between study modules method and work with information.
Proposal for convergence of e-learning systems for t-learning
This article presents considerations about viability on reutilize existing web based e- Learning systems on Interactive Digital TV environment according to Digital TV standard adopted in Brazil. Considering the popularity of Moodle system in academic and corporative area, such system was chosen as a foundation for a survey into its properties to create a specification of an Application Programming Interface (API) for convergence to t-Learning characteristics that demands efforts in interface des
Developing SCORM-based Courses for Avicenna Virtual Campus
Avicenna Virtual Campus (AVC) is UNESCO-led, multi-cultural EUMEDIS pilot project. It involves partners from sixteen Euro-Mediterranean states. Each partner contributes through a node called Avicenna Knowledge Centre (AKC), which produces e-courses and e-learning objects. For seek of interoperability, partners setup a pedagogical standard to guide the production process of learning objects. Further more, researchers adopted and recommended SCORM as a standard model for structuring learning objec
Interactive Collaborative Books
Books are one of the most important tools to convey knowledge, they survived to be a convenient and portable source of information. On the other side, Electronic books (e-books) are playing a big role in attracting a huge number of readers, but still paper books are preferable by many people due to some drawbacks in e-books. Yet, Interactive books combines all positive features in ordinary books as well as e-books, the author is introducing a new Interactive Collaborative book that might change
The role of animated pedagogical agents in scenario-based language e-learning: a case-study
Scenario-based language e-learning (SBeL) is focused on contextual learning, since it uses authentic activities that can improve communication skills. This paper reports a case-study that proposes the use of animated pedagogical agents (APAs) in a Brazilian Portuguese web-based course built under a mix of task- and scenario-based approaches. Its main purpose is to discuss how APAs can be used to improve studentsÂ’ communicative skills, cultural awareness and level of interaction with courseÂ’s c
