Introducing TU100 ‘My Digital Life’: Ubiquitous computing in a distance learning environment

In this paper we describe the Open University’s progress towards delivering an introduction to ubiquitous computing within a distance-learning environment. Our work is strongly influenced by the philosophy of learning-through-play and we have taken technologies originally designed for children’s education and adapted them for adult learners, many of whom will have no formal experience of computer science or information technology. We will introduce two novel technologies; Sense, a drag-and-drop programming language based on Scratch; and the SenseBoard, an inexpensive hardware device that can be connected to the student’s computer, through which they can sense their environment and display outputs. This paper is not intended as a detailed discussion of individual technologies (they will follow in time), rather it should serve as an introduction to the Open University’s method of teaching and how we hope to continue to recruit new computer scientists and engineers using novel technologies

E-learning for Networked Living

Networked Living is a Level 1 course in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) offered by the UK Open University. The first two presentation of the course, in 2005 and 2006, attracted over 3000 students between them. Networked Living introduces students to ICT concepts and issues in a range of contexts. The course adopts a blended learning approach, using printed texts, web resources, DVD and computer conferencing. All the above media are used where appropriate to support students' learning. About 60% of the material is print-based – teaching texts, together with selected third-party articles. About 20% is web-based – using a comprehensive course web site, but also requiring students to find and use third-party sites. The remaining 20% is based on offline computer resources (e.g. spreadsheets) and collaborative activities using computer conferencing. The course web site contains short animations, quizzes and several interactive activities where students contribute information and commentaries, and can then see the collated contributions of other students. The DVD contains longer animations, simulations and software. Computer conferencing is used for tutor-group and whole-cohort conferences, and for online tutorials, with both asynchronous and synchronous discussion. The course web site provides a new, shareable 'online journal' facility, where students can record their work for the course. This paper discusses the various e-learning elements of Networked Living, based on the first two presentations of the course. The paper considers how e-learning can be combined with printed resources to create a successful blended learning experience for students

fOUndIt? Sharing online resources to support subject communities

This article reports an interview and questionnaire survey investigating students' participation in subject communities via fOUndit, a tool for sharing links to online resources. Harking back to Tim Berners-Lee's vision of the role of the Web as 'a tool for furthering serious research communications between scientific researchers' [1] this research investigates how students might use the Web to share online resources and support each other in an online subject community. The views of group of Level 1 Technology students were gathered on their use of fOUndit as part of integral course activities, focusing on their thoughts on whether the facility supported them as part of a community, and if they would continue using the facility. These issues regarding how students use such a facility and their views on identity and community are explored, followed by recommendations for further research

Using wikis for collaborative learning of technology

This paper reports on a project to evaluate students' use of wikis in a distance learning course on information and communication technologies. The students, who were already familiar with discussion forums, were offered the use of wikis for some of the online tutorials which form part of the course. They were then asked for feedback via an online questionnaire. Students' comments show that they valued the chance to use a wiki and could see its benefits for collaboration. However, they also raised concerns related to usability and to issues of editing each other's work

What’s in it for me? The stick and the carrot as tools for developing academic communities

Motivating students to contribute to learning communities is not a new problem, nor is it restricted to online learning. However it becomes especially obvious in large online courses where student collaboration is one of the intended learning outcomes. This paper describes two models for driving student engagement in producing user-generated and user-reviewed content. It discusses the motivation for participation and gives results from two subject areas. The behaviour of students of second and third level language courses is compared to that of first level technology students when their participation is simply encouraged and when it is required for assessment. A model for driving user-engagement is proposed and related to previous experience in online learning

From forums to wikis: perspectives on tools for collaboration

Web 2.0 communication tools have considerable promise for supporting collaborative learning. But there is a need for research examining learners' and teachers' experiences of the newer communication tools, such as wikis, in comparison with well-established tools, such as discussion forums. This paper reports on an initiative where distance learners used an in-house wiki for online tutorials which had previously taken place via forums. The perspectives of students and tutors on this experience were gathered via an online questionnaire to students and unstructured online feedback from tutors. Some students and tutors felt that the wiki was better than a forum for collaborating on shared documents. However, at that stage in the wiki's development it was found to be more difficult to use than a forum, and slower. Some tutors found the wiki to be too slow to use effectively. These findings highlight the importance of good usability in collaborative software. The research also revealed that some students were uncomfortable with the prospect of editing each others' work in the wiki. They had concerns related to ownership of contributions. This finding relates to the concept of ‘sociability’ in relation to online communication. The research therefore identifies both usability and sociability as key requirements for Web 2.0 communication tools

Reviewing three case-studies of learning analytics interventions at the open university UK

This study provides a conceptual framework how organizations may adopt evidence-based interventions at scale, and how institutions may evaluate the costs and benefits of such interventions. Building on a new conceptual model developed by the Open University UK (OU), we will analyse three case-studies of evidence-based interventions. By working with 90+ large-scale modules for a period of two years across the five faculties and disciplines within the OU, Analytics4Action provides a bottom-up-approach for working together with key stakeholders within their respective contexts. Using principles of embedded case-study approaches by Yin [1], by comparing the learning behavior, satisfaction and performance of 11079 learners the findings indicated that each of the three learning designs led to satisfied students and average to good student retention. In the second part we highlighted that the three module teams made in-presentation interventions based upon real-time analytics, whereby initial user data indicated VLE behaviour in line with expectations. In 2-5 years, we hope that a rich, robust evidence-base will be presented to show how learning analytics can help teachers to make informed, timely and successful interventions that will help learners to achieve their learning outcomes