Technology Enhanced Learning with CourseSites - Kulari Lokuge-Dona, Swinburne University of Technology ANZTLC15

Technology Enhanced Learning with Course Sites Dr. Kulari Lokuge Dona

Priya Amali Warusavitarana, Dilani D Epitawela, E.P. Madhawi U.Edirisinghe, M.A.C. Harshani Piyathilake Udayangani K. Herath, N.Nirosha P. Dias

Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education, Sri Lanka,

Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education

Post Secondary Higher Education institution in Sri Lanka

Government Funded

Pilot with CourseSites

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Higher Education and the government policy

• Sri Lanka is a developing country.

• It has a vision of having a knowledge hub by 2020.

• Sri Lanka has to step in to different way of addressing the future issues of higher education.

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Importance of alternative education

• 2010 the university eligibility – 40.7% (based on the candidates who sit for the GCE (A/L) examination)

• Admissions to state universities was 15.5% (UGC annual report 2012)

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Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education(SLIATE)

• SLIATE is the key government organization that provides opportunities for students who wish to widen their knowledge in different disciplines as an alternative higher education institute. More over the need for higher education is been a demanding factor and a vision of the government.

SLIATE con..

• SLIATE has 17 branches

• Broad range of multi-disciplinary programs targeting at year 13 (A/L) qualified students in Sri Lanka.

• Conducts pathway courses :– Higher National Diplomas– National Diplomas.

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Present teaching and learning

• Semester system

• Evaluation on credit system; credit hours are based on direct contact hours of teaching.

• Lectures are delivered face to face.

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How Blackboard came to SLIATE…

• In the year of 2014 several staff members at Dehiwala branch completed the Carpe Diem MOOC.

• Staff members experienced the importance and advantages of course sites.

• Attempt was made to uplift students knowledge by introducing and exposing them to an technology Enhanced Learning experience via CouseSites offered by Blackboard.

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Benefits of using Blackboard CourseSites - institute

• Comply the vision of the country.

• Embark on innovative teaching and learning.

• Apply modern techniques of teaching.

• Enhance the quality and recognition of the institute.

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Benefits - students

• Exposed to innovate leaning

• Driven to use technology

• Accept challenge and capacity building

• Confidence

• Extended hours of learning

• Repetitive practice

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Benefits - teachers

• Privilege to use innovate teaching

• Reduce manual work

• Ability to share knowledge easily

• Quick response to student queries

• Increase student engagement

• Motivate to learn

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Learning Spaces at SLIATE

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Strategic management unit

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Participation

• Over 250 Students

• 6 Staff members

• Full-time and Part-time students

• 7 units of study

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Challenges faced by students

• Limited resources

• Limited experience with technology

• Access to internet

• Fear of unknown

• Language barriers

• Lack of confidence

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Challenges faced by teaching staff

• Change the attitude

• Conduct demonstrations

• Continuous follow-ups to support independent delivery

• Guides for the system

• Solving individual student’s access and usage issues – e.g. providing additional time to submit

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Feedback

• Many student found the system effective and helpful for their study

• Convenience was appreciated

• Ability to practice and get feedback quickly

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References

• Warusavitarana, P.A., Lokuge Dona, K., Piyathilake, M. A. C .H.,Epitaerla D.D., Edirisinghe, E.P.M.U.(2014) MOOC: A higher education game changer in developing countries, Paper presented at the ASCILITE, Dunedin, New Zealand

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Thank You!