Transcript Presented

Oideachas 2.0:
Using Web 2.0 in the Irish
Educational Context
Presented by Ronan Carty
Supervised by Damian Gordon
MSc in Computing (Information Technology)
Dublin Institute of Technology
Overview

Who am I?

What is my Masters research?

Survey of Computer Science Lecturers

Demo of Prototype Learning Environment
Who am I?

MSc in Information Technology (DIT)
12 Month taught masters
 12 Modules (6 per semester)
 Research Dissertation (3 Months)


Here to speak with like-minded people
Research Topic

Use of Web 2.0 Technology in Education

Survey of 100 Irish Computer Science Lecturers

Development of Prototype Learning
Environment
Web 2.0
Web 2.0 in Education

Desilets (2004) conducted research to test if using a Wiki
required technical ability, after a fifteen minute training
session to a class of 15 children 8-9 years of age. The
experiment conclusively found that there were minimal
difficulties in the students using Wiki Pages.

Honegger (2005) identified potential barriers to the use of
Wiki’s in education
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
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Institution lacking Wiki servers,
Lecturers lacking Technical Skills,
Lacking WYSIWYG, Students required to edit Wiki’s using
html.
Web 2.0 in Education

Bruns (2005) found that students can be reluctant to
publish their work on websites in a less than perfect
state.

Downes (2004) identifies a lecturer at the State University
of New York whose media law class were rewarded with
course credit for online discussion and use of blogs.

Horton (2006) found that control of an e-Learning
environment encourages student motivation in education.
Survey

14 Questions

104 Computer Science Lecturers throughout
Ireland’s Third Level Institutions

What technologies are in use

Opinions on Technology in the class room
What is Web 2.0?

“I have no idea”

“I have no direct experience of "Web 2.0", apart
from hearing the term being used on an everincreasing basis.”

“I'm an engineer, not a marketing droid, I don't
describe anything as ‘Web 2.0'”

23% Skipped the question.
“I find the use of technology in the
classroom motivates students.”
“My Institution should provide me with a
choice of frameworks for the inclusion of
technology into the modules I teach.”
Which of the following do you provide for your
students in modules you teach?
If the resources were available, would
you video record your lectures and make them
available to students after each class?
Additional Comments

Video Recording A Lecture

“Maybe for some 4th year course. Most likely for
postgraduate courses.”

“I would not be comfortable with the idea of
footage of my lectures being generally available and
I don't feel comfortable being filmed during a
lecture”

Many respondents expressed concern with
Attendance levels
Additional Comments

“As a computing lecturer, I feel we don't use
Web 2.0 enough (or technology in general).”

“(Web 2.0 tools) would encourage student
conversations on particular topics. Would allow
students to access missed lectures.”

“Could be useful tool’s to facilitate students in
organising their work.”
Personalised Learning Environment
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Student Portal and Lecturer Portal
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An aid to the Lecture Hall. Not a replacement.

Click and Add System

Encourage use of Technology
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Encourage choice of Learning Techniques
Benefits for Lecturers
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Lowering the technological expertise
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Lowering time required to implement
technologically rich teaching methods

Library of available processes and modules
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Scalable System
Benefits for Students

Removing Barriers to Learning
One Log-In/One System
 Pushing Data to students using RSS

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Personalisation of students Learning Portal
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Exposure to Technology

Varied Methods of Learning
Demonstration

Demo of Prototype Personalised Learning
System…..
Summary

Preparing Students

Technology teaching Library

Customised Learning Environments
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Time to take E-Learning back
Questions?