Elearning:Online teaching resources

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Note: This page is out of date and needs revision/replacement.

At UBC and worldwide, a vibrant community engages in e-learning. What tools are they using? What practices are particularly effective? What publications exist? What is happening here at UBC? This page provides links to resources that may help answer the questions above. We invite you to explore links to websites, papers and tools that may prove useful to improving your learning and teaching practices. Like the e-learning field, this page will change frequently, as more resources are discovered and suggested. Please feel free to add resources to this page. Over time, this page will evolve to fit the changing needs of the e-learning community.

Faculty Resource Guide

This is the third edition of the UBC Faculty e-Learning Resource Guide that focuses on orienting new and returning faculty to e-learning @ UBC. In collaboration with UBC's e-Learning community, this guide will evolve to reflect UBC's diversity and capture the excitement and energy of faculty, students and staff engaged in e-learning activities.

You can access a weblog and two print (PDF) versions of this resource guide:

The versions share a similar approach, but are contextualized for the support approach used at the two campuses. In addition, each guide points to the units and services available at the specific location

Guide to e-Learning in Further and Higher Education

This guide is a convenient and practical resource which provides a sound foundation to anyone interested in using technology with their teaching. It will give you the confi dence to jump into the realm of e-Learning through its easy-to-read explanations, direct links to examples and resources, and through its explicit guidance on how to start using many pedagogically suitable tools available to you.

Why Go Online?

Course Examples

  • WebCT Exemplary Course Project
    For the last four years, WebCT has sponsored the course quality research efforts of Maisie Caines (College of the North Atlantic) and David Graf (Nova Southeastern) through the Exemplary Course Project. At this site, you will find the Exemplary Course Rubric (the parameters by which courses are evaluated), as well as links to course sites and associated information of the 2002, and soon, 2003 winners.
  • University of Alberta Course Examples
    Provides links to courses from several disciplines at the University of Alberta.
  • Exemples de cours WebCT
    Forum for New Learning - Swiss Web Site that provides links to courses in three languages. In some cases you may need to register.
  • SCOUT: Sharing Content Online for University Teaching
    Excellent site from the University System of Georgia, with information and links to courses available for "adoption" in the USG network. To access the courses for viewing, you will need to request access (well worth it!).

Accessibility

  • ATRC (Adaptive Technology Resource Centre)
    This unit, based out of the University of Toronto, is a research centre focused on advancing "... information technology that is accessible to all; through research, development, education, proactive design consultation".
  • WebAIM (Web Accessibility in Mind)
    Organization based out of Utah State focused on conducting research, assembling resources and promoting learning opportunities on topics related to web accessibility. This is a rich resource site, with pointers to tips and tools that will help you understand how you can create a more supportive online environment for students with different types of disabilities.
  • CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology)
    CAST is a not-for-profit organization concerned with using technology to expand educational opportunities for all people, particularly those with disabilities. The organization is known for developing the most widely used accessibility checker, Bobby, and for their work related to promoting Universal Design for Learning.
  • EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information)
    Organization based out of Rochester Institute of Technology dedicated to "...serve as a resource by providing information and guidance in the area of access-to-information technologies by individuals with disabilities." The organization provides a resource hub, and many educational opportunities, including an online certificate program.

Assessment

  • Constructing Written Test Questions for the Basic and Clinical Sciences
    This publication of the UK National Board of Medical Examiners is one of the most comprehensive guides available for learning how to write high quality objective test questions, including interpreting item analysis data. Regardless of your discipline background, the guide provides valuable information, particularly if you are considering incorporating web-based, objective assessments into your course. The manual draws upon the organization's 20 years of experience in this area. Please note: The WebCT Quiz facility does provide extensive statistical data, enabling an instructor to readily obtain the type of indices described in the publication.
  • Computer Assisted Assessment Conference
    A conference focusing on all aspects of Computer Assisted Assessment including on the web, on the PC and Optical Marker Reader (OMR) formats. See their conference papers in PDF format from a recent event where topics included CAA in WebCT and evaluating the cost benefits of changing to CAA: Fourth International Computer Assisted Assessment Conference
  • Reflections on Three Years of Computer-Aided Assessment
    A case study by Roger Oliver exploring the use of CAA in computer science. The report makes suggestions on overcoming the challenges he encountered with students using the assessment tools.

Collaborative Learning

Problem Based Learning

  • Literature Review for Extending Problem Based Learning Online
    The site, compiled in 2001, contains the results of a literature search related to computer-mediated technology (CMC), problem-based learning and/or collaborative learning in higher education. These results are part of a larger study conducted by researchers at McMaster University, Sheridan College and the City of Hamilton (Ontario).

Multi-Topic Guides

  • Kate Britt's Online Resource site
    This site, updated regularly, is a fabulous compilation of news and resource links on topics related to online teaching learning. Sections of the site include: The Virtual Professor (rich site for online educators), Teaching Resources, Your Online Students, Designing Courses, Accessibility Issues, For Writers and Webpage Creation. Kate, an Adult Secondary Education in Vancouver, BC, is a member of the elite cadre of educators known "Dr. C" The advice you will obtain from her site concerning WebCT is worth its weight in gold!
  • FCTeL: Pedagogy
    The Pedagogy section of The Faculty Center for Teaching and e-Learning at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte contains a rich set of guides in Adobe Acrobat format on the following topics: Assessment, Basics of Course Development, Enhancing Learning, Focus on Large Classes, Resources, Teaching Assistants, and Using Technology.

Workshop Guides

  • UBC Workshop on Day to Day WebCT (PDF)
    "This workshop will take participants through an "average" semester, progressing from requesting that students be entered into the environment form the Student Information System, configuring columns in the gradebook, entering grades manually or from text files (e.g., spreadsheets, Scantron), removing dropped students, through to calculating grades and making them available to students. The relationship between the gradebook and associated tools such as Assignments and Quizzes will be explored. The pedagogical implications of using these tools will be discussed (e.g., providing rich, rapid feedback and encouraging time on task)."
  • Engaging Students with Course Content (PDF)
    "This workshop will provide an overview of the logistics of making content available to students through your WebCT course, and discuss options for structuring the material based on your instructional needs. Participants are encouraged to examine and complete the worksheet that will be emailed to you once you have registered, and bring appropriate files and links. By the end of the workshop you will have built your course shell, and be prepared to continue course development."
  • Increasing Community (PDF)
    "This workshop will familiarize instructors and teaching assistants with promoting and managing online discussions and student projects. Working as both learners and instructors, participants will learn how to manipulate the tools, and generate ideas on how the tools can be used to support their course objectives."
  • Managing Digital Assignments and Quizzes with WebCT(PDF)
    "This seminar will focus on assessment activities that can be managed with WebCT, concentrating on the Assignment Drop Box and Quiz and Survey tools. The Assignment Drop Box provides a means for collecting and returning assignments in a timely way. Participants will learn how to set up assignments, including setting deadlines and attaching associated resource files, as well as downloading, grading and returning marked assignments. The second part of the workshop will introduce participants to the Quiz tool, including how to create questions and provide access to students. Strategies for using these tools will be discussed, and examples from a variety of courses will be showcased."

Online Publications

This collection of publications are highly recommended for those interested in following trends in online learning. They feature articles about teaching practices, as well as more technologically inclined reviews and tips.

  • Educause Quarterly
    Educause Quarterly is considered the "practitioner's journal," with articles and practical advice columns related to implementing learning technology at levels that range from the classroom to the institution.
  • Educause Review
    Published bi-monthly, this magazine identifies and explores strategic learning technology issues.
  • ECAR publications
    ECAR is the research arm of Educause, North America's premier information and learning Technology organization focused on higher education. The site requires registration, but all UBC affiliated students and staff are eligible.
  • Syllabus Magazine
    Syllabus Magazine is a monthly publication on technology in higher education. Each issue contains reviews of different tools as well as case studies at different institutions.
  • The Technology Source
    A peer-reviewed online magazine dedicated to providing timely, succinct summaries of ongoing research and effective practices.
  • T.H.E. Journal
    Provides in-depth articles, case studies and product information related to technology enabled learning. The magazine has a wide scope, covering k-12, higher education and lifelong learning.
  • International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning
    This publication focuses on the challenges and successes of distance learning. It fosters research in new areas of online learning and articles are refereed.
  • Learning Circuits
    A magazine of the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD), Learning Circuits covers emerging teaching practices, reviews products and provides discussion boards for readers. The Try It! section of the site is a collection of trial downloads of new e-Learning related software.
  • Chronicle of Higher Education
    Daily newspaper reporting on developments in higher education, including information and learning technology. Requires subscription for full access.
  • International Journal of Educational Technology
    An international refereed journal, sponsored by faculty, staff, and students at The Graduate School of Education at the University of Western Australia and the College of Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
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