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Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Week 2: Basic concepts of ICT in education

In our modern and vibrant world new forms of learning have changed the way in which we used to learn. Today teachers do not have the absolute knowledge to teach students, and students do not depend only on books to learn, ICT has played an important role in education changing all the old paradigms that we knew. It offered a new alternative to become literates and even brought a new kind of literacy with it. However, a lot of people do not seem to understand how technology has contributed to improve education, making it more realistic and somehow more accessible at any time when you have the resources.
The use of technology is so important now that the Unesco considers it one of the main competences students must develop in school, so teachers have to be prepared to assume the role of technological mentors and therefore, as teachers it is necessary to know some basic concepts that we think we know, but we tend to confuse and if we are the pattern to be followed, we should be very clear when we talk about:
 
Image taken from: http://www.schoolanduniversity.com
  • E-learning: e-learning refers to the use of internet or wireless technologies to deliver a broad array of training solutions. eLearners access the learning from a computers via the internet or an intranet, or through a hand held device like a palm pilot.
  • Distance education: distance education describes the effort of providing access to learning for those who are geographically distant. The instructional delivery included an instructor who was physically located in a different place from the learner, as well as possibly providing the instruction at disparate times.
  • Online or virtual learning: Online learning is described by most authors as access to learning experiences via the use of some technology. According to Benson (2002) (cited in Moore, Dickson-Deane and Galyen (2011) online learning is a newer or improved version of distance learning.
Image taken from:http://www.jfyboston.org/ 
  • Blended learning: it is a formal education program in which a student learns at least in part through online delivery of content and instruction with some element of student control over time, place, path and or pace. 
  • Mobile learning: mobile learning includes the use of mobile phones, MP3 players, personal digital assistants (PDA’S) and so on. Recent research has suggested that m-learning works well in environments where access to these kinds of technologies is more formal and accepted or where lifestyles demand more flexible solutions to training and learning. 
    Image taken from: http://learninginhand.com/
The previously described concepts represent modalities, types of education and tools that have certain characteristics which fit specific needs. It is important to know what they are to be able to choose the right tools and the best modality according to the purpose of the class.
The use of technology in education is not just a fashion or a teacher substitute, it is a tool that helps us improve what we do.

References.

Bailey, J., Ellis, S., Scheider, C., Vander Ark, T. (2013) Blended Learning implementation guide. Create conditions for success plan, implement, and improve. Foundation for excellence in education. [Online document] Retrieved from:  http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/CSD6190.pdf
Moore, J., Dickson-Deane, C. and Galyen, K. (2011) e-Learning, online learning, and distance learning environments: Are they the same?  Internet and Higher Education 14 (2011) 129–135 [online magazine] Retrieved from:  https://scholar.vt.edu/access/content/group/5deb92b5-10f3-49db-adeb-7294847f1ebc/e-Learning%20Scott%20Midkiff.pdf
The Herridge Group (2003). e- learning, a definition. [Online document] Retrieved from:  http://www.herridgegroup.com/pdfs/eLearning%20a%20Definition.pdf

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