Learning Thorough Interactions..

In today’s online environment, interaction effectiveness is paramount important. Instructional designers and trainers of online courses must be aware of the four types of interactions in order to have an effective learning in their courses:
• Interaction with Content
• Interaction with Peer
• Interaction with instructor
• Interaction with interface
Let me outline some important aspects for each interaction.
Interaction with contents
Use open ended questions to encourage proactive involvement.
Encourage different point of views
Develop grade book for discussion participation that reward desired cognitive behaviors.
Encourage experimentation
Interaction with Instructors
Provide timely feedback
Make sure teacher present is felt throughout the course
Establish clear expectations for student-teacher interaction.
Interaction with Peers
Design community building activities
Develop course activities to encourage the development of trust
Encourage students to share experiences and beliefs in online discussion
Use tracking mechanism to reward reading as well as responding to messages.
Interaction with Interface
Provide support all the time.
Use simple and easy to use platform interfaces
Provide orientation
Use a both words and pictures
Allow the learner to control the pace of the presentation.
Ghassan 

Keeping in Touch...

Here in the UAE, Etisalat, the only telecommunication carrier, had blocked many internet websites. Two sites which have been blocked and are of great benefit to me are Skype and twitter. Both are being used a lot by many users undertaking the FET8611 course. Yesterday, a friend of mine explained how we can bypass the proxy of Etisalat. The whole process is really simple. Just download and install simple software on your computer then you can start surfing any website.
After I have done the installation of the software on my laptop, I installed Skype software and tested it and it worked PERFECT. All night long I was talking to friends and families in Australia.
I even accessed “twitter” website, which was originally blocked, and I am starting to explore it. I am still discovering all the functionalities of this social networking site.
Before I go and do some more exploration of “twitter” I would to to say, Janet, thank you so much… your help is greatly appreciated..  

Mobile and Wireless Learning

The purpose of this blog is to explore roles for mobile and wireless technologies in the blended learning educational environment. I believe everyone agrees that they both offer the following benefits:
- Active Learning experience;
- Empower and Engage Learners;
- Ability to support a range of functions in educational settings;
- Flexible access in time and place;
- Portability; and
- many more..
Some institutions have gained from introducing the mobile and wireless technologies by improving their institutional efficiency and communication with the college community. Equally important has been the role of these technologies in affording new ways for learners to participate in learning activities.
The mobile devises mentioned in this blog are:
- Laptops
- Tablet PCs
- Mobile Phones
- Personal Digital Assistant
- USB Storage
Evidence suggest that mobile devices like the ones mentioned above have already found their way in offering support for active learning and personalized learning approaches. Learners are taking control of their own learning process using mobile technology devices. We are no longer concerned to control learners’ use of computers, but now the challenge is how to the learners using technology to enhance their own learning.
Some more potential benefits for mobile technologies include: PDAs and Mobile phones are used to assist learners in time management, calendar, to-do-list, alarm, cameras, voice recording and many more functionalities that help the learners of today.
In Conclusion there are tremendous benefits to the use of mobile technologies in the educational sector. They help improve the institutional effectiveness as well as the learners and teachers in their teaching and learning process. On the other hand there are still some constraints on the use of the small mobile technologies.

Till my next reading...

Mobile and Wireless Technologies- Introduction

Today is the second day of the new year. I am not feeling well so I decided to take the day off work. The kids, whom their at midyear vacation, are keen to come to the swimming pool as the weather is really nice.
I am now sitting in a cafe inside the sport club. The atmosphere is really nice and internet connection is available free for all club members. I am writing my blog on mobile and wireless technologies.
There is no doubt that the introduction of mobile and wireless technologies has had huge impact on our daily lives. They have become an integral part of our daily routine. Their biggest impact is yet to happen in the education system. Educators are still exploring their roles and effectiveness on teaching and learning process. Some key benefits that I am experience her in the sport club are:

- Portability and connectivity;
- Anytime and anyplace access;
- Constant access;and
- Keeping in touch
I am sure when we look at the key benefits when it comes to the education sector it is much more than the list I provided.
I will try to address the impact o mobile and wireless technologies on education sector in my next blog. As for now my kids are getting out of the swimming pool and I need to help out 

See you..