A case study for measuring informal learning in PLEs

The technological support for learning and teaching processes is constantly changing. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) applied to education, cause changes that affect the way in which people learn. This application introduces new software systems and solutions to carry out teaching and learning activities. Connected to ICT application, the emergence of Web 2.0 and its use in learning contexts enables an online implementation of the student-centred learning paradigm. In addition, 2.0 trends provide “new” ways to exchange, making easier for informal learning to become patent. Given this context, open and user-centered learning environments are needed to integrate such kinds of tools and trends and are commonly described as Personal Learning Environments. Such environments coexist with the institutional learning management systems and they should interact and exchange information between them. This interaction would allow the assessment of what happens in the personal environment from the institutional side. This article describes a solution to make the interoperability possible between these systems. It is based on a set of interoperability scenarios and some components and communication channels. In order to test the solution it is implemented as a proof of concept and the scenarios are validated through several pilot experiences. In this article one of such scenarios and its evaluation experiment is described to conclude that functionalities from the institutional environments and the personal ones can be combined and it is possible to assess what happens in the activities based on them.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Assessment, Training and Innovation on Basic competencies in Secondary Education: ICT, Information Literacy and Conflict Resolution (ATI-LINCO)

[EN] The ATI-LINCO is an interdisciplinary national research project leaded by the Research Group “Evaluación Educativa y Orientación” (“Educational Assessment and Guidance”) at the University Institute of Educational Sciences (IUCE, University of Salamanca, Spain). Its focus calls the attention on key skills assessment, training of Secondary school teachers in Basic competences and the implementation of innovation processes. In the first project (SEJ2006-10700) the research interest aimed at the assessment of Basic Competencies in high school students, obtaining enough evidence as to move on a second project (EDU2009-08753). In this second attempt, the research questions about the assessment and training of secondary school teachers were divided into two basic skills:information literacy and conflict resolution competences. Finally with the ATI-LINCO project, the interest is to reverse the results of the evaluation and training on innovation processes in the secondary school setting. The Project themes are: skills assessment, teacher training, Innovation in secondary education, information literacy, conflict resolution and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as integrate tools supporting the entire project. The research methodology is different and adapted to each of the objectives proposed. On the one hand, our goal is to continue with the diagnosis of student key skills, that support learning. On the other hand, we propose an experimental design to test the ICT effectiveness in a training program for skill development in teacher training schools. On the other hand, we intend to frame an educational innovation project based on Basic Competencies through an interactive process of action-research. The ultimate goal, therefore, is contributing to improve the quality of the Spanish Educational System in Secondary Education

The Usage of CIDOS and Social Network Sites in Teaching and Learning Processes at Malaysian Polytechnics

In 21st century learning, students use educational technologies to apply knowledge to new situations, analyse information,collaborate, solve problems, and make decisions. Utilising emerging technologies, to provide expanded learning opportunities, is critical to the success of future generations. In this paper, the author will share the findings on the usage of CIDOS and Social Network Sites in teaching and learning processes at Malaysian Polytechnics. Two sets of questionnaires were distributed to a group of 84 diploma students and 41 lecturers from Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan, Politeknik Merlimau, Politeknik Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, Politeknik Kota Kinabalu, and Politeknik Sultan Idris Shah. The results of the study show the existence of communication and interaction difficulties in existing Learning Management Systems (LMS). As a recommendation for future research, it is suggested to integrate current LMS with Facebook to support Online Collaborative Learning (OCL)

The Usage of CIDOS and Social Network Sites in Teaching and Learning Processes at Malaysian Polytechnics

In 21st century learning, students use educational technologies to apply knowledge to new situations, analyse information, collaborate, solve problems, and make decisions. Utilising emerging technologies, to provide expanded learning opportunities, is critical to the success of future generations. In this paper, the author will share the findings on the usage of CIDOS and Social Network Sites in teaching and learning processes at Malaysian Polytechnics. Two sets of questionnaires were distributed to a group of 84 diploma students and 41 lecturers from Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan, Politeknik Merlimau, Politeknik Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, Politeknik Kota Kinabalu, and Politeknik Sultan Idris Shah. The results of the study show the existence of communication and interaction difficulties in existing Learning Management Systems (LMS). As a recommendation for future research, it is suggested to integrate current LMS with Facebook to support Online Collaborative Learning (OCL)

Implementation and design of a service-based framework to integrate personal and institutional learning environments

The landscape of teaching and learning has changed in recent years because of the application of Information and Communications technology. Among the most representative innovations in this regard are Learning Management Systems. Despite of their popularity in institutional contexts and the wide set of tools and services that they provide to learners and teachers, they present several issues. Learning Management Systems are linked to an institution and a period of time, and are not adapted to learners' needs. In order to address these problems Personal Learning Environments are defined, but it is clear that these will not replace Learning Management Systems and other institutional contexts. Both types of environment should therefore coexist and interact. This paper presents a service-based framework to facilitate such interoperability. It supports the export of functionalities from the institutional to the personal environment and also the integration within the institution of learning outcomes from personal activities. In order to achieve this in a flexible, extensible and open way, web services and interoperability specifications are used. In addition some interoperability scenarios are posed. The framework has been tested in real learning contexts and the results show that interoperability is possible, and that it benefits learners, teachers and institutions.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Perceptions towards the Usage of Collaborative Learning in Teaching and Learning Processes at Malaysia Polytechnic.

It is difficult for a graduate to get employed, due to fierce competition within today’s career market. Most employers are primarily looking for good soft skills over academic achievements as selection criteria for selecting new employees. This paper shares the preliminary findings on the perceptions of students and lecturers on the use of Collaborative Learning in teaching and learning processes at Malaysia Polytechnic. In this study, two sets of questionnaires were distributed to 145 lecturers and 356 diploma students from Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan, Politeknik Merlimau, Politeknik Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, Politeknik Kota Kinabalu, and Politeknik Sultan Idris Shah. All collected data was analysed using SPPS 19 software. The results show that even though lecturers used the collaborative learning method in their teaching and learning processes, the evaluation was only on the output product. The students felt that it was unfair for all members to get the same marks, and that the lecturers should award marks based only on the student’s contribution. Therefore, the development of soft skills will not happen if active collaboration does not occur