4 people spoke about collaborative e-learning and webjunction:
Anna Leavitt:
What is e-learning?
electronically delivered methods…
blended learning – a mix of educational approaches. Mixes e-learning and face-to-face learning
blended=
– dominant mode for offering educational materials online
– still a need for human contact and face to face interaction
– peole learnign in multiple ways
– still large gaps in production of educational contant for online learning
Pros of blended learning:
– stronger sense of community than either traditional or fully onlne
– consistent delivery of message
– ability to self pace
– refresher on your time
– reduced classroom time – big benefit
– more effective staff training
Cons:
– some don’t like the term…
– developers – how to manage and design it correctly
– how to manage roles, responsibilities
– how to meet expectations, control costs
hard to tell if someone is engaged and active if it’s an online class!
WebJunction: an online community for library staff to share
***************
Elizabeth laukea:
webjunction – a state partner’s perspective
webjunction can be a great tool to use when implementing a blended learning program – webjunction has the backbone and apps in place
****************
Laura Staley:
WebJunction’s spanish language outreach program
they did a pilot project
blended model
in-person: train the trainer institute, local workshops, follow up
Online Elements: online content and resources, message boards, webinars, online courses
they also do a live meeting (online?) at about the 6-week point
Why Blended Learning?
extends and reinforces learning – you can share things online easily
builds an online community of interest
make info available to the broadest audience possible
meets a range of experience levels – because it’s a national – level project. Ex – a rural library that suddenly has a hispanic pop surge – they need resources fast!
benefits/challenges:
in-person workshops – hard to coordinate
message boards – easy way to collaborate and connect with. But – can’t assume comfort level, it’s not an immediate answer
webinars – (live meeting sessions) a way to connect. but – have to have access to a phone line AND an internet connection.
online course – figuring out how to integrate it into curriculum – 4-hour self paced course – lots of material to develop, expensive