E-Learning has become a contemporary issue in the world of educational technology recently. One on the main issue in e-learning is learning object. This article is intended to give some background support for my last produsage project in Web 2.0 class. I hope this will give brief concepts about the interrelation between learning objects and instructional design.
David A. Wiley from Brigham Young University have conducted a dissertation to achieve his Ph.D degree in the field of education technology. And the result is, he recommends the application of the learning object according to the principle instructional design. His dissertation is a very good referece when want to develop learning objects
Feel free to download the dissertation here
I have integrated Dimdim with my LMS recently and I can say it’s quite challenging integrating synchronous web 2.0 tools to the LMS. What is Dimdim? Based on their website, Dimdim is a web application that lets anyone deliver synchronized live presentations, whiteboards and web pages and share their voice and video over the Internet – with no download required. Honestly the last statement that they stated on the web site was no entirely true because we have to install the latest flash and Dimdim (screenshare) browser plug-in to make sure that all features on the application are working fine. Fortunately, the installation process is easy and almost being done automatically. This application is developed based on web 2.0 technologies using well known components like: MySql, Lighthttpd, Red5 (Adobe Flash Media for commercial version of Dimdim), CherryPy, Terracotta, OpenOffice.org, etc.
The Dimdim company offers a community based – open source version that can be downloaded freely on the web site. This is the version of software that I used for intergartion project within the LMS.There are two versions of Dimdim package that are available. First is the source code package (rpm or tar.gz package) that is direct compatible with Linux CentOs or Red-Hat based Linux (with slight modification the source) and virtual server package file. The last package is a compilation of complete CentOs Linux system with Dimdim which is already installed in it. This package is ready to run by using a Vmware virtual server platform.
If you’re not familiar with technical things, Please don’t worry because dimdim also offers hosted version. Dimdim web meeting application offers three web hosting services, the first is free service with maximum 20 meeting participants, professional service with maximum 100 participants and the last is enterprises with maximum 1000 participants. Those three services basically offer the same features as the differences in increased web presentation quality, reliability, enhanced support, custom branding, custom integration and max concurrent users.
Dimdim is a very good web conferencing tool. The company gives free services with a lot of cool features. The performance and reliability are also good. I hardly experience any problems during web meeting session with the only exception in desktop sharing. In some case the system slowly responds when in desktop sharing mode. This problem can be solved by deactivating and activating desktop sharing feature again.This software in a cheap alternative for conducting webmeeting for collaborative works.
Honestly, I never regret my choice for joined this class, I have been using various web 2.0 tools for years and even I do understand it’s potent for educational purposes, I will act conservatively when want to incorporate this tools for learning activity. I work as an IT staff in my institution and sometimes I got frustrated and headache dealt with staff when trying to introduce a new technology. Some staff may have tendency to reject a new technologies for various reason. I do believe the outcomes of this class help me to dealing with my problems.
Web 2.0 has created new ways of working, including opening new opportunities in learning and teaching. Through thoughtfully and inspiring discussion threads, the class were opened my mind how these technology work for learning and teaching plus some examples of different approach to do so. This precious knowledge and experiences will help me to prepare my next project and to share various model of web 2.0 implementation to my colleagues hoping can raise the intention and willingness to try the technology for their teaching. Web 2.0 will change the way we run learning and teaching by widening participating, encouraging brainstorming and collaborative works, and creating supportive learning environment
However, it would be a mistake to consider web 2.0 as a sole driver for the changes. Web 2.0 is just a part in a complex system. Other aspects include for example; change in student population and background, and ongoing emphasis on better learning and teaching method. And there are a number problems that may arise due to the use of web 2.0 like copyright violation and plagiarism, change in teacher role, cultural shock and crisis (just like my problem I mentioned before) and economic factor. So I think the implementation of web 2.0 must be done carefully and step by step depend on what environment we dealing at to avoid potential problems and waiting for other aspect in the ecosystem being ready for the coming of new technology.
And finally I’m now ready for being produser and willing to devote my time to promote the produsage trends to all of my networks