POST NINE - Interactive Online Learning

Interactive online learning can be accessed on multiple platforms such as websites, VLE, Virtual Reality, Applications, Augmented Reality, Games, Web Quests and Skype.

Web Quests - This type of a game is essentially a quest that the user is on and takes place within the digital environment. Web Quests give the user a scenario, then provides resources for them to use in order to achieve the goal outcomes.

Interactive Learning games is designed for children and often includes multiple choice quizzes. Many of these 'games' were originally just tests but the addition of a scoring system and levels, makes it more engaging and enjoyable.

There are many types of games, they should not be generalised, so when planning the artefact a clear type is selected;

• Adventure - Puzzles
• Simulation - Flying, Driving and Worlds.
• Puzzles - Problem Solving
• Role Playing - Character
• Strategy - Planning and Orders

The definition of educational game;

"An educational game is a game designed to teach humans about a specific subject and to teach them a skill. As educators, governments, and parents realize the psychological need and benefits of gaming have on learning, this educational tool has become mainstream".

An educational game is a game designed to teach humans about a specific subject and to teach them a skill. As educators, governments, and parents realize the psychological need and benefits of gaming have on learning, this educational tool has become mainstream. Games are interactive play that teaches us goals, rules, adaptation, problem solving, interaction, all represented as a story. They give us the fundamental needs of learning by providing - enjoyment, passionate involvement, structure, motivation, ego gratification, adrenaline, creativity, social interaction and emotion. "Play has a deep biological, evolutionarily important, function, which has to do specifically with learning." (Prensky, p. 6) 

Kolb's Learning Cycle (Above)

The best technique for educational game is known as 'stealth learning'. The game should not be labelled as an educational game but just a game. Otherwise players may see this not as fun and engaging but as a chore or a task meaning they will not interact with the game fully. It is essential that after engaging  the players, they should be motivated via goals and rewards.

Educational Games can either be;

1. Existing Game converted into Education Game
2. Existing Game Package - providing customised platform
3. Design bespoke game to fit players need

The decision also has to be based upon the price of the game, the game can be sold to multiple educational organisations and the public as educational games are very popular on the gaming market.

An example of a Game Package is Portal 2 Puzzle Maker;

• Create Puzzle
• Play the Puzzle
• Logic and Components
• Practice, reflect, design, test and repeat

Simulation games essential provide training in an environment for example;

• Renault Sales Manager
• americanarmy.com

POST EIGHT - QR Image

QR codes can be particularly useful for my application because it is a smartphone android application. The students already have a device capable of scanning a QR code when using this application. Therfore by adding an integrated QR section students can be presented with resource documents that do not need to be individually printed and bound for the students, only to lose. They can simply scan a QR code on the way out of class or during class and they can view either a subject resource page or a document highlighting their homework for the week.

The code can easily be used with the digital learning platform because it shall ensure each sudent has a copy of the work on their mobile device. Also they can be used to reach out to multiple students. Not only does it have the potential to link to the main base of content but can be used to point towards external links and resources.

Librarian Gwyneth Jones (Washington DC Middle School);
"If your organization is thinking about creating mobile content to complement a new exhibition, whether in an app or a mobile-friendly web site, think about what kinds of additional content, information, audio and video, interactivity or social media you can link to, so as to enrich your visitors’ experiences".

http://cble0910.pbworks.com/w/page/105405585/Usman%20QR%20Code

POST SEVEN - QR Codes

QR Codes

QR codes are a two-dimensional barcode which can be read by the majority of smartphones and dedicated devices. QR codes are used in a wide scope from products, brands to anything else. Standard 1D barcodes store up to 30 numbers but QR codes can store up to 7,089. This huge amount of data allows linking to videos, websites and social media pages.

 

If you possess a smartphone such as an iPhone, android or Blackberry device, there are a wide number of applications such as Red Laser and QR scanner that allow the reading and decoding of QR codes. The majority of such applications are free and simply need to be installed and work directly with the mobile phone camera.

 

Any URL can be encoded into a QR code which in simple terms can be understood as an image form of a hyper-link. In addition to URL address, QR codes can also be used to link to telephone numbers. Similarly you can encode an SMA, C-card data or plain alphanumeric text. QR codes can be printed onto anything, newspapers, business cards or even tattoos.

You can make a QR code using designated 2D QR code generators which are free to use online. QR codes can be various sizes a larger code is easier to read though and as a minimum, most readers can scan images which are small enough to fit onto a business card.

There are various QR code formats:

• ·         HTML
• ·         PNG
• ·         TIFF
• ·         SVG
• ·         EPS

PNG files work the best because they are universal and can be easily resized and rescaled to fit multiple platforms.

A little bit of history for the QR code, Denso-Wave a subsidiary of the Toyota group are given the award for creating the QR code way back in 1994. Its original intent was to be used as a tracking mechanism for motor vehicles part

There are other 2D barcode reading formats;

• Microsoft – Microsoft have a reader known as High Capacity Colour Barcode allowing ways tag customisation and dynamic data source changing.
•  Data Matrix – Is able to read codes even if they are as small as 2mm. It is commonly used on small electrical components.
• EZcode – The data in this case is not stored within the code but on the Scanbuy server. A code indexed is transferred from the mobile device to the server and receives information in return. The problem with this system is that it is reliant solely on the servers.

POST SIX - VLE

VLE

In the last decade educational institutions and enterprises working in industry have invested in the use of Virtual learning environments. The VLE is a platform situated in the web which allows the sharing of resources, collaborative work and remote lesson material. An example of such an environment is Moodle, a customization platform which allows the creation of tailor fitted VLE's.


The many benefits of VLE are displayed below;

•    Communication – polls, surveys and forums.

•    Producing work – hand in folders can be used for remote work submission.

•    Resource hub – infinite storage to share documents and resources.

•    Dynamic home pages – create exciting and interactive platforms.

•    Links to outside sources – share links to resources.

•    Embedded content – YouTube, BBC, RSS and social media can be embedded.

•    Podcasts & videos – both teacher- and student-produced podcasts and videos have a shared platform; again, either secure or shared

Local Education Authority (LEA) contract VLE provisioning to organisations rather than individual institutes.

The mature teachers may not be as 'tech savvy' as the students and therefore may struggle to provide a dynamic and interactive VLE space. The teacher who administers needs to be very IT literate, it can be difficult for some to produce a good VLE. The VLE is however central and requires login into on a compatible device, students can not receive pings and updates directly to their phones.

The VLE can become a dumping ground of embedded videos and images as well as other content and may become very messy. It is essential to make the VLE as aesthetically pleasing and engaging as possible to keep he students excited.

Overall because of the sheer customization facility and interactive functionality VLE's are a staple of education both currently and the future.

POST FIVE - Ideas and Choice

Over the last couple of weeks I have been drawing up ideas for an artefact designed to help learn a particular topic. I first selected some topics which I was interested in, the first topic was translation of a middle eastern language to English and the second idea to create an app teaching history of the British empire.

To create the translation application I would use Microsoft PowerPoint. The built in sound icon shall be used to speak out to the user English words and words in the second language. This applications shall present key words on the main interface and allow users to hear them and learn the translation.

The second application shall be created on the Android platform. The application shall provide summarised sub-topics regarding British empire history. The interaction element provided is a quiz which tests the knowledge the users have gained in the text report and videos. They then receive points displaying a punishment/reward system, Skinner.

POST FOUR - Session Two - Learning Theories

Theorists and Physcologists working in the education and 'brain' field have created many theories over the years regarding the learning patterns and methods humans use to gain knowledge.

Firsly, Phil Race created in 2010 the 'model of learning'. The theory sums up the manner in which humans learn. The first stage is to learn the subject and the topic, then practical practice, make sense of the work, recieve feedback and explain the work, then make an assesssment and understand the overview.

Kolbs Learning Model 1984:

• Do Something
• Think and Reflect
• Discuss and Apply
• Evaluate to improve

What is a theory?

• A theory is an exlpanation of observations or predictions.
• They are not fact and canbe disapproved.
• Some theories related to learning are; Behaviourism, Cognitivism, Social Learning Theory, Constructivism. 

Behaviourism

• Classical Conditioning - Unconditional Stimulus, placed with a conditionakl Stimulus creates a conditioned response. (Ivan Pavlov)
• Operant Conditioning - is a controlled response with a reward/punishment system. (BF Skinner)

Some Theorists

• Piaget - humans learn through many stages of cognitive development. After the age of eleven it varies on the type of schooling received.
• Vygotsky - Social interaction plays a fundamental role in cognitive development. The first stage is social and secondly personal. He attempted to explain conciousnes as the result of socialisation. 
• Similarly Vygotsky created a theory known as Zone Proximal Development; child can not do any activity which is too high above their ability.
• The students display skills to acheive tasks, then receive support and then meet their limit.
• Bandura - humans have an ability to learn through reciprical determination. In other words learning through observing others, imitate and model. Learn right and wrong way.

Constructivism

• Bruner - Any person can learn anything provided it is presented to them in an understandable manner.
• Confront and support learbers with problem.
• Build on existing skill and only help when there is requirement.

Problems with Traditional teaching

• Teacher simply speaks a load of information.
• No diversity - all the class is at one pace.
• Lack of visual support.
• Language may be to complex.
• Boring!!!!
• One way communication - lacks engagement and interaction.
• There is also limited material.
• There are no direct questions and requirement for thinking.
• Non ethusiastic and patronising.

Einstein "I never teach my pupils i only provide the enviroment in which they can learn".

POST THREE - Horizon 2015 Report - Redesigning Learning Spaces

Redesigning Learning Spaces

Universities and educational environments such as classrooms are thinking about the recreations of the learning space to implement more active learning facility. Technology is being used in the classrooms, wireless internet and smart devices to provide collaborative interactive study.

Previously the learning spaces were very basic, focussing on the content that the teacher would provide for the students, however know learning is to be centred on the students.  Technology I believe can be used to achieve this because it is an interactive way of learning where the students are engaged and learn through an innovative experience.

Technology in the learning environment such as the proposal to place interactive boards in hallways and theatres is an effective method to provide knowledge to the masses. They can interact with the devices and access abundant information. This is also effective for collaborative work, where students can post questions to others for answers or they can use video link or such technology which allows them to work on projects together without necessarily being at the same place increasing convenience.

The standard has been removed from the technological power of the learning spaces, therefore whatever resources can be afforded by the different institutions across the world can be used. This is especially effective for those countries and smaller schools where the budget and resource accessibility is limited. They may not be able to afford virtual reality equipment or 3D printers but still they can invest in technology to teach their students in an interactive manner.

Personally, reflecting upon this report, enterprises and educational institutions should invest in building eco-friendly schools which incorporate technology as their foundation of learning whilst still mantling traditional methods. Although the benefits of technology as a new design for teaching classrooms. Teachers still can explain to students on a personal level and break down information to them on a one to one basis. Technology can only go a certain way, students of philosophy who may study manuscripts or law students reading books written fifty years ago still need access to traditional methods. Technology may not replace but can enhance the learning experience and work alongside traditional methods.

The University of Western Sydney (Australia), updated their curriculum rather than completely change it to provide technology blended courses. They also provisioned for interactive work spaces, mobile furniture, projectors and collaborative learning spaces through technology.

George Washington University’s implemented a Nursing Simulation Lab, for experimental training, mimicking a real hospital. Key features of the lab include a model emergency room suite, strategic\ally embedded cameras, microphones, live streaming to the lab and system capable of closed-circuit broadcast to a 100 lecture hall and 50 seat classroom.

POST TWO - How do we learn?

Firstly the definition of learning can be defined as the following; the act, process ir experience of gaining knowledge. Knowledge is acquired through studying, being taught and facing various experiences.

There are many different manners in which people shall learn;

·         Self-taught and self-development through personal experiences.

·         Watching others, this is prominent in young children who will replicate the words and the actions of others.

·         Mistakes as Thomas Edison quoted “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”. Mistakes teach you that a certain way does not work, so you learn what not to do.

·         Environment, stimulating environments can help learn.

·         Tuition, people are taught via tutors and lecturers on certain topics.

·         Web, the web is a useful resource to learn via video tutorials, texts and different learning materials.

·         Books are resources full of knowledge and information.

Technology is being increasingly utilised in the learning environment because of its accessibility through many devices and any different locations. Conveniently through a few clicks a wide range of resources and information can be accessed.