Activity based learning

The examples here describe activities which help students to develop as competent blended learners in three inter-related areas.  You will find below a few examples from the book to give you the flavour.

Developing E-investigators

 Compare the use of two different search engines used to collect material for an essay on a course issue, and comment on the usefulness of four sources you have found.

For each search engine, list the keywords used, and any changes you made to your search strategy, including the reasons for your changes.

Select two sites which you egard as useful and relevant to your essay, and two which were less so

For each site, coment on why you believe them to be useful or not, and explain what criteria you have used to judge their value.

Write outline headings for your essay based on the material you have found.

(Blended learning and online tutoring, p134)

Developing E-writers

 Discussing approaches to writing

Read the assignment question and criteria, and then post a message to your online group, explaining what the criteria mean to you.

(Several days later, two model answers are posted to the conference)

Read the two model answers:

- comment on them using the assignment criteria;

- decide whcih one answers the question better, and why

- share your reflections with the group

(Blended learning and online tutoring, p148)

Developing E-communicators and collaborators

Reflecting on the quality of online messages

Nominate three key messages from your online group that demonstrate any of the following characteristics;

- timely posting that allows adequate group conferencing before deadlines;

- posting which helps to promote further interactions with other group members;

- posting whch demonstrates their role in providing feedback to group members

Justify your choice of characteristic, comment on the level of interactivity based on Salmon;s model, and reflect on how this exercise will affect your future participation.

(Wozniak & Silveira 2004, quoted in Blended learning and online tutoring, p160)