Change In Teacher's Role and Learner's Participation

Role Of Teacher

Among the greatest of all services that can be rendered by men to Almighty God, is the education and training of children, so that they can foster by grace in the way of salvation, growing� like pearls of divine bounty in the shell of education and will be one day the jewel in the crown of abiding glory.

Traditional Role :

Teacher’s Role as instructor as based on concept of  Knowledge. Teacher was a Dominator.

Modern Role:

1.       Dominant information feeder  to a facilitator.

2.       Concept of knowlwdge as  process of reasoning.

3.       Adaptation of Instruction to developmental levels.

4.       Monitoring students

5.       Resource providers

6.       assess the students

7.       plan the learning.

8.       implement the plan

9.       evaluate the process.

10.   opportunity for experimentation without evaluation, grading or marking.

11.   Adopting Holistic Approach

12.   Freedom and Control

13.   Optimal Learning

14.   A Motivator and encourage feeder

15.   Moral Development

16.   Thematic teaching

17.   Facilitative Teacher as Mediator : The function of techer as mediator is to promote students confident adaptability by enhancing their security and making them aware of their own powers and their own worth. The teacher in modern scenario would strengthen the confidence of the students in their own capabilities.

18.   Emphasis on learner’s initiative

Learner’s participation

Learning is acquiring new or modifying existing knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, or preferences and may involve synthesizing different types of information. As far as learner is concerned even bad times have their scientific values and a good learner never miss it.

1.       Profound faith  in capable of solving problems

2.       persistent in examining their own assumptions

3.       Learning from the experiences and interests

4.       Interaction with other

5.       Pair and group activities

6.       Learning by doing

7.       irrevocable resolution to every problem

8.       Ability to take constructive criticism

9.       show initiative

10.   able to monitor and evaluate their own learning

11.   self-aware in relation to their own learning

12.   adaptable and flexible in their approach to learning

13.   pro-active (i.e. they don’t wait for things/people to come to them)

14.   critical and analytical thinker

15.    filtering and selecting the needed information

16.   learning as pleasurable

17.   Goal-oriented

18.   Practical

19.   Competence and mastery

20.   Learning by experience

21.   Responsible for Self

22.   Need for Community.

Concept of Virtual Learning

Concept of Virtual Learning Environment

"The explosion of the knowledge age has changed the context of what is learnt and how it is learnt – the concept of virtual Learning Environment is a manifestation of this knowledge revolution.”   

                                                                                                                                   Elliott Masie

                                                            or

"The objectives of virtual Learning Environments are to improve access to advanced educational experiences by allowing students and instructors to participate in remote learning communities using personal computers; and to improve the quality and effectiveness of education by using the computer to support a collaborative learning process. “  Franklin

Just as the term virtual means a simulation of the real thing, Virtual Learning Environment is a simulated Learning Environment via Internet, which provides a convenient communication environment for distance learners bit same to  traditional face-to-face Learning Environment.  A virtual Learning Environment allows learners to attend a class from anywhere in the world and aims to provides a learning experience that is similar to a real Learning Environment. When we go to college we have a schedule of lectures, which we must attend. Student must arrive on time, and when he enters the Learning Environment, he finds a teacher, fellow learners, a blackboard or whiteboard, LCD projector, optionally a television screen with videos. Likewise, a Virtual Learning Environment is a scheduled, online, teacher-led training session where teachers and learners interact together using computers linked to a network such as the Internet. A virtual Learning Environment enables to bring learners from around the world together online in highly interactive virtual classes while greatly reducing the travel, time, and expense of on-site teaching/training  programs. It can be used as a solution for live delivery and interaction that addresses the entire process of creating and managing our teaching-learning process. It facilitates instructor and student in teaching-learning events, such as a seminar, online discussion or a live training for employees in company. As in traditional Learning Environment, there are professor and fellow learners present with the student; we have many participants present in virtual Learning Environment. They can talk with each other as in the traditional Learning Environment via chat. Similarly presenter uses whiteboard, gives notes/resources, gives presentation as given in traditional one. Thus, virtual Learning Environment can be visualized as a Learning Environment where a lecture or session is conducted using Internet. Now, that we have some idea about virtual Learning Environment, we will discuss some advantages  that virtual Learning Environment offers over traditional Learning Environment.       CDAC’s Virtual Learning Environment.

Acc  to Brown “a mode of computer based education whereby the teacher interacts with students either via video-conferencing, Internet broadcast, or email” Wikipedia.com says, "A virtual Learning Environment is a learning environment created in the virtual space.

Users of Virtual Learning Environment

There are different classes of users of virtual Learning Environment based on the  roles that they play. These roles are as follows:

• Presenter (or Administrator)

• Participant

When presenter enters in virtual  Learning Environment, he has  different work to do than participant and viceversa.

Facilities provided by presenter interface to Faculty:

• Register new users  : Presenter as an administrator has to register new users that will be  attending the session.

• Create a session  : Presenter has to decide the session time, users that will be invited

for the session. While creating a session, he can specify the time and  users of the particular session.

• Cancel a user registration : If any registered user does not want to attend the session, presenter  cancels his registration.

• Conduct Online presentation : As a presenter, he conducts the session for participants. During presentation he performs various activities in the Learning Environment. He can load the presentation slide that will be displayed to  participants. 

• Share Resources: Presenter can add various resources to the session. It may be a file  or just a simple web page link that participant can download at their  end.

• Conduct Poll:  He can create a poll for participants. Also  he can chat with participants.    

• Explain concepts using Whiteboard: He can use whiteboard to explain some of the topic, which may not  be able to explain via presentations, or to solve any particular doubt  asked by the participant.

Facilities provided by participant interface to students:

• View online presentation : When a participant joins the session, they can view the presentation, which are conducted by the presenter in the virtual  Learning Environment. The presentation may include the PowerPoint presentation  slides or it may also include the snap of the whiteboard on which the  presenter can explain the concepts to the participants.

• Public/Private Chat : The participants can have a conversation with the fellow participants publicly or privately via the chat feature available in the interface, the chat allows the participant to send the instant messages to the participants who are also attending the session. Participants can also send private messages to any of the participant but he is not allowed to send private messages to the presenter but  can do so by  using the hands up facility, which is explained next.

• Raise Hands: Whenever any participant will have any doubt, then he can tell that  to presenter by using the hands up facility available in the user  interface of the participant, using this feature the participant can  interact with the presenter via the private chat.

• Give Response to the polls  : The participants can answer the polls that are submitted by the presenter by using the “Submit Response” facility provided in the  interface. The poll can be of type objective or it may be of Yes/No type.  It the particular poll is public then participants can see response for  that particular poll, else it will be kept hidden from the participant. The  Only presenter is able to see the response for private poll.

• Download Resources  : The resources that are been shared by the presenter  can be  downloaded by the participants at their machine. The resources can be  the files which may include course material, e-book’s etc, or it may be also web links which presenter may want the participants should refer.

Use-case diagram for “Virtual Learning Environment”

                        Start Presentation

                                                                                                Registration

                        Register Create Create Load

                        Users     Agenda Poll    Resources                 Attend Presentation

Presenter                                                                                                                    Participant

                                                                                                Voting for Poll

                        End Presentation                                            Download resources         

Advantages of Virtual Learning Environment

Following are some of the advantages of Virtual Learning Environment over traditional Learning Environment model:

• Removal of geographical barriers :(Anywhere learning) A virtual Learning Environment allows learners and teachers to attend a single live training session from any place in the world, provided they have a computer and Internet connection.

• Sessions can be recorded:  If learners miss a traditional Learning Environment-based training session, they have very little opportunity to engage in the learning experience that took place. A virtual Learning Environment has a facility to record the session so learners or teachers can replay it afterwards. Teachers too get an opportunity to review their own or their colleagues’ performance.

• Quicker to organize : Training can be organized more quickly than traditional Learning Environment-based training. Learning Environments and projectors do not need to be reserved, materials do not need to be distributed. The sessions are easier to schedule or reschedule since attendees will not be traveling to the venue of the session.

• One to one communication:  In a virtual Learning Environment environment, learners can talk to the teacher and to each other, and although this communication is not as rich in a traditional Learning Environment, it still can help learners, since it is one to one. Due to these advantages, concept of virtual Learning Environment is getting very popular. Since it allows learners to attend sessions from anywhere in world, it is very useful for distant learners and for peoples who cannot meet face to face because of lack of time. Though it gives lots of advantages, it has some pitfalls also. Following section describes some limitations of virtual Learning Environment.     

• Completion Of  Course at your own pace

• Saves money and Time

• Beneficial for quick Learners : Students who are motivated and/or quick learners may be permitted to move ahead at a faster rate than in a normal in-class setting. 

• Communication

• No challenge of deciphering  handwriting

• Reusability of Material

• Easy process of Learning

• Child Centered or Learner cantered Education

• Supports Independent Learning

• Raise Quality Education

Limitations of Virtual Learning Environment

Following are some of the limitations of Virtual Learning Environment over Traditional Learning Environment:

• Familiarity of tools : Teachers and students need to become familiar with the tools Teachers and students are familiar with the workings of  a traditional Learning Environment, that is, they understand the concepts of hand raising, the whiteboard, assignments, and so forth. With a virtual Learning Environment, all attendees must become familiar with the way the virtual Learning Environment works before virtual Learning Environment based training starts.

• Time dependency for Live Sessions :Attending virtual Learning Environment training is restricted to  a certain scheduled time.

• Infrastructure for the participants:  PC needs to be prepared Virtual Learning Environment sessions need to be scheduled, teachers need to be invited, and participants’ PCs need to be prepared.

• Technical Limitations Technical issues such as bandwidth, speed of the connection or power failure may create problem while presentation is going on.

• Difficulty for the teachers to Structure the material for Internet Layout

• Not suitable at primary level of education

• Less Working of Communication Tools

• Lack Of competent teachers

• No provision of Physical Learning Environment

• Lack of Socialization

• Lack of infrastructure

• Difficult Interaction

• Some lessons can’t be taught

Unimodal to Multimediated

Unimodal to Multimediated : 

Education as is explained is a life long process and plays a vital role in every individual’s life. Learning  is said to be the equivalent to change, modification, development, improvement and adjustment. It is not only confined to classrooms but it is peeping the world through the windows of technology.So the trend is changed from unimodal Instructions  to multimodal instructional technology.

As far as the word “Unimodal”  is concerned it refers to the single mode of teaching or having a single format of instruction as in past times we were using the face to face and small group tutorials in a classroom and is considered less powerful to cope with the modern society.

Ryan  remarked that 

“The transform in instructional strategy in schools has begun from coast to coast: that multimodal learning--using many modes and strategies that cater to individual learners' needs and capacities--is more effective than traditional, unimodal learning, which uses a single mode or strategy.”

Multimodal Instructional Strategies are :

1.   E- Learning

“E-learning known as electronic learning is a method of education used for web-based distance education, where in there is no face-to-face interaction.” Ryan

“E-learning is commonly referred to the intentional use of networked information and communications technology in teaching and learning. “  Som Naidu

E-learning has gained popularity in recent times. It is very beneficial in adding value in organizational matters, like it is easier to access information and there is flexibility with respect to time and place. It is a facility that reduces the travel time and associated costs. It eliminates the expense and inconvenience of getting the teachers and students in the same premise.

E-learning provides an experience that contains three distinct learning styles.
• Visual learners

• Kinesthetic learners : Kinesthetic learning is a learning style in which learning takes place by the student actually carrying out a physical activity, rather than listening to a lecture or merely watching a demonstration. It is also referred to as tactile learning. People with a kinesthetic learning style are also commonly known as do-ers.

• Auditory learners

E-Learning modalities

Individualized self-paced e-learning online refers to situations where an individual learner is accessing learning resources such as a database or course content online via an Intranet or the Internet. A typical example of this is a learner studying alone or conducting some research on the Internet or a local network.

Individualized self-paced e-learning offline refers to situations where an individual learner is using learning resources such as a database or a computer-assisted learning package offline (i.e., while not connected to an Intranet or the Internet). An example of this is a learner working alone off a hard drive, a CD or DVD.

Group-based e-learning synchronously refers to situations where groups of learners are working together in real time via an Intranet or the Internet. It may include text-based conferencing, and one or two way audio and videoconferencing. Examples of this include learners engaged in a real-time chat or an audio-videoconference.

Group-based e-learning asynchronously refers to situations where groups of learners are working over an Intranet or the Internet where exchanges among participants occur with a time delay (i.e., not in real time). Typical examples of this kind of activity include on-line discussions via electronic mailing lists and text-based conferencing within learning managements systems.

Advantages of e-learning to students.

1.    One can log-in and get all blended learning courses on the World Wide Web environment.

2.    Students can learn independently in any time and place.  E-Learning is self-paced and the learning sessions are available all time.

3.    Students can customize the course material as per their own needs.  They have added control over their learning process and are able to better understand the subject.

4.    E- Learning gives supporting environment to all individuals for learning methods.

5.    Students get single central location for all course materials.

6.    Students get a chance for enhanced exchange with other students and qualified teachers which are based on communication and information technologies.

7.    E-learning provides improved organization for regular studies like meeting assignment deadlines, homework etc.

8.    Students can deal with teachers who are highly qualified, but cannot reach because of distance barriers, now with e- learning coming in scene they can give their inputs and help students in their research.

9.    Students have an option to choose what they like.  E- Learning draws students to topics they like and enjoy.

Now let’s evaluate the advantages for teachers.

10.  First and foremost, the method of teaching becomes more interactive.

11.  Teachers can prepare single document for all different types of students, so that they don’t need to do it again and again.

12.  Timing is also flexible for teachers, they can do this with continuation to their regular classes in schools.

13.  They can get more and more information on net, that they embed in their course materials.

14.  Interaction with students become more appropriate.  When students are sharing their problems with teachers, since it’s not face to face they fear less and can ask their problems freely.

Cost effective	eLearning is more cost effective than traditional learning because less time and money is spent traveling. Since elearning can be done in any geographic location and there are no travel expenses, this type of learning is much less costly than doing learning at a traditional institute.
Flexibility	Flexibility is a major benefit of e-learning. e-learning has the advantage oftaking class anytime anywhere. Education is available when and where it is needed. eLearning can be done at the office, at home, on the road, 24 hours a day, and seven days a week. Learners like e-learning because it accommodates different types of learning styles. They have the advantage of learning at their own pace. Students can also learn through a variety of activities that apply to many different learning styles. Learners can fit e-learning into their busy schedule. If they hold a job, they can participate in eLearning right at their desk. If the learner needs to do the learning at night, then this option is available while in their pajamas and do the learning if they desire.
Personalized learning	eLearning encourages students to peruse through information by using hyperlinks and sites on the worldwide Web. Learners are able to find information relevant to their personal situations and interest. eLearning allows selection of learning materials that meet their level of knowledge, interest and what they need to know to perform more effectively in an activity. eLearning is more focused on the learner and it is more interesting for the learner because it is information that they want to learn. eLearning is flexible and can be customized to meet the individual needs of the learners.
Develops knowledge	eLearning helps develop knowledge of the Internet. This knowledge will help learners throughout their careers. eLearning encourages students to take personal responsibility for their own learning. When learners succeed, it builds self-knowledge and self-confidence.

19. It's self-paced -- Most e-learning programs can be taken when needed. The "books" that you set up using Trainersoft create a module-based design allowing the learner to go through smaller chunks of training that can be used and absorbed for a while before moving on.
20. It moves faster -- According to an article by Jennifer Salopek in "Training and Development Magazine," e-learning courses progress up to 50 percent faster than traditional courses. This is partly because the individualized approach allows learners to skip material they already know and understand and move onto the issues they need training on.
21. It provides a consistent message -- E-learning eliminates the problems associated with different instructors teaching slightly different material on the same subject. For company-based training, this is often critical.
22. It can work from any location and any time - -E-learners can go through training sessions from anywhere, usually at anytime. This Just-In-Time (JIT) benefit can make learning possible for people who never would have been able to work it into their schedules prior to the development of e-learning. (If you manage a corporate learning program, however, be careful about requesting that workers learn on their own time from home.
23. It can be updated easily and quickly -- Online e-learning sessions are especially easy to keep up-to-date because the updated materials are simply uploaded to a server. CD-ROM-based programs may be slightly more expensive to update and distribute, but still come out cheaper than reprinting manuals and retraining instructors
24. It can lead to increased retention and a stronger grasp on the subject -- This is because of the many elements that are combined in e-learning to reinforce the message, such as video, audio, quizzes, interaction, etc. There is also the ability to revisit or replay sections of the training that might not have been clear the first time around. Try that in a crowded auditorium
25. It can be easily managed for large groups of students -- Trainersoft Manager allows corporate training directors, HR managers and others to keep track of the course offerings, schedule or assign training for employees and track their progress and results. Managers can review a student's scores and identify any areas that need additional training.

2.  ICT

ICT is an acronym that stands for Information Communications Tecnology

the concepts, methods and applications involved in ICT are constantly evolving on an almost daily basis. Its difficult to keep up with the changes - they happen so fast.

Lets focus on the three words behind ICT:

- INFORMATION
-COMMUNICATIONS
- TECHNOLOGY

A good way to think about ICT is to consider all the uses of digital technology that already exist to help individuals, businesses and organisations use information.

ICT covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in a digital form. For example, personal computers, digital television, email, robots.

So ICT is concerned with the storage, retrieval, manipulation, transmission or receipt of digital data. Importantly, it is also concerned with the way these different uses can work with each other.

3.  Computer-Assisted Instruction

“Computer-assisted instruction” (CAI) refers to instruction or remediation presented on a computer. Many educational computer programs are available online and from computer stores and textbook companies. They enhance teacher instruction in several ways.

Computer programs are interactive and can illustrate a concept through attractive animation, sound, and demonstration. They allow students to progress at their own pace and work individually or problem solve in a group. Computers provide immediate feedback, letting students know whether their answer is correct. If the answer is not correct, the program shows students how to correctly answer the question. Computers offer a different type of activity and a change of pace from teacher-led or group instruction.

Computer-assisted instruction improves instruction for students with disabilities because students receive immediate feedback and do not continue to practice the wrong skills. Computers capture the students’ attention because the programs are interactive and engage the students’ spirit of competitiveness to increase their scores. Also, computer-assisted instruction moves at the students’ pace and usually does not move ahead until they have mastered the skill. Programs provide differentiated lessons to challenge students who are at risk, average, or gifted. *

Advantages :

1. Two way Instruction
2. Stored Instructional Programme
3. Student’s Responses
4. Individualized Instruction.

4. Video- Tex and Teletex system

: an electronic data retrieval system in which usually textual information is transmitted via telephone or cable-television lines and displayed on a television set or video display terminal

Teletex is an specification for a text and document communications service that could be provided over telephone lines.

5.  Tele Conferencing

A teleconference is a telephone or video meeting between participants in two or more locations. Teleconferences are similar to telephone calls, but they can expand discussion to more than two people. Using teleconferencing in a planning process, members of a group can all participate in an educational process or conference with agency staff people.

Teleconferencing uses communications network technology to connect participants’ voices. In many cases, speaker telephones are used for conference calls among the participants. A two-way radio system can also be used. In some remote areas, satellite enhancement of connections is desirable.

Teleconferencing saves an agency time and travel costs

A wider group of participants means a broader range of ideas and points of view

Teleconferencing saves people money and time

6.  Tele Lectures

The system allows professors to give interactive courses to distant classes and at the same time distribute them over the internet in real time.

In traditional tele-course approaches the professor is all alone giving the course almost like a broadcast. This kind of approach is not so pedagogical for the students that tend to get bored. Our approach diverts from this and introduces the notion of a local lecturer who is in the same classroom with the students. His role is to "animate" the students. In fact the course is given as a dialogue between the local lecturer and the remote one.

The main idea is that the lecturer in the classroom directs the evolution of the course, according to the response from the students (something which the remote lecturer cannot see too well). It is the local lecturer that posses questions to both the remote lecturer and the students, keeping the course in line with the subject. The existence of a local lecturer has also the advantage that in case there a network problem the course can still go on.