E-learning skills

Including new material on blogs, wikis, podcasts and e-portfolios, the second edition reflects the increasing number of e-learning courses. This practical, flexible text helps students enhance and develop their existing skills whether they are a distance learner, or at an institution which has e-learning integrated into their programmes.

• List of Tables p. ix
• List of Figures p. x
• Acknowledgements p. xii
• Introduction p. xiii
• 1 What is e-Learning? p. 1
• Introduction p. 1
• Comparison of traditional and e-learning skills p. 3
• e-Learning theories p. 8
• What makes a successful e-learner? p. 9
• Benefits of e-learning p. 11
• Learning styles p. 12
• Information and communication technology p. 13
• Interaction p. 14
• Learning resources p. 16
• Collaborative and individual learning p. 17
• Blogs, wikis and social networking p. 17
• Mobile learning (m-learning) p. 18
• Formal and informal learning p. 19
• Assessment p. 20
• Support p. 20
• Tutor's role p. 21
• How to assess an e-learning course/programme p. 25
• Summary p. 27
• 2 Traditional Skills p. 31
• Notes p. 31
• Reading p. 36
• Writing p. 43
• Self-assessment p. 46
• Research skills p. 47
• Learning in face-to-face groups p. 52
• Stress p. 53
• Reflection p. 55
• Listening p. 57
• Summary p. 58
• 3 Computer Skills p. 61
• Assessment of skills p. 62
• Accessibility options p. 63
• File management p. 65
• File formats p. 69
• Applications p. 71
• Compressing files p. 72
• Saving and backing up your information p. 73
• Transferring files p. 74
• Tracking changes p. 75
• Searching and quality p. 75
• Presenting information p. 86
• e-Portfolio p. 95
• Podcasting p. 97
• Blogging p. 101
• Copyright p. 102
• Plagiarism p. 102
• Utilities p. 103
• Summary p. 103
• 4 Learning Environments p. 110
• Places to learn p. 110
• Synchronous learning (e.g. text, audio or video conferencing) p. 114
• Groupware p. 117
• Managed Learning Environment (MLE) or Course Management System (CMS) p. 118
• Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) or Learning Management System (LMS) p. 119
• World wide web p. 125
• Intranets/Extranets p. 132
• WebQuests p. 133
• Learning materials p. 133
• Blended learning p. 138
• Summary p. 139
• 5 e-Learning Skills p. 142
• Initial experience p. 142
• Time management p. 143
• Acceptance of responsibility p. 146
• Planning p. 148
• Self-assessment p. 150
• Problem solving p. 155
• Coping with stress p. 160
• Motivation p. 162
• Reflection p. 164
• Listening p. 165
• Research skills p. 166
• Main sources of dissatisfaction p. 170
• Summary p. 171
• 6 Developing Skills p. 176
• Time management p. 176
• Acceptance of responsibility p. 178
• Planning p. 180
• Self-assessment p. 182
• Problem solving p. 184
• Coping with stress p. 186
• Motivation p. 188
• Reflection p. 189
• Listening p. 192
• Research skills p. 193
• Continuous development p. 194
• Summary p. 197
• 7 e-Assessment p. 201
• Tests p. 201
• Classroom voting systems p. 203
• Self-assessment p. 203
• e-Portfolios p. 204
• Summary p. 215
• 8 Communication Skills p. 219
• Acceptable use p. 219
• Asynchronous communication p. 222
• e-Mail communication styles p. 223
• Mailgroups and newsgroups p. 228
• Forums p. 229
• Registration p. 230
• Moderation p. 230
• Mailgroup digests and summaries p. 231
• Organisation p. 231
• Threaded discussion p. 237
• 'Lurking' p. 238
• Blogging p. 240
• Synchronous communication p. 242
• Summary p. 247
• 9 Group and Co-operative Learning p. 252
• Group working online p. 252
• Co-operative learning p. 263
• Online seminars and conferences p. 271
• Wikis p. 274
• Peer assessment p. 276
• Summary p. 277
• 10 Further Information and Resources p. 280
• Appendix A Assessing Your Learning Skills p. 291
• Appendix B Tips for the Successful e-Learning Student p. 297
• Appendix C Assessing Your ICT Skills p. 299
• Appendix D Referencing Electronic Sources p. 304
• Glossary p. 306
• References p. 312
• Index p. 315