To ascertain the future of e-learning and Course Management Systems (CMSs), one must research and examine the current trends. Social networking and the freedoms granted by the Internet have greatly progressed since its release to the public. The Internet has created such a stir that many educators are calling for some type of government control. Another trend is the use of media and technology as an alternate way to learn versus what is already in place. Still another trend would be the use of phones like iPhones and PDAs as a means to access education content or learning concepts. Distance education is really taking off and will continue to do so as well as the idea of ‘embedded learning’, which is a system that allows users to self-education instead of have an offline course and receive help by an online support department. Lastly, online applications like Udutu and web tools will make creating, delivering, and using education much easier for the user and at a lower cost to the user.
The use of simulations and gaming is also in the future of education as technological advances are causing educators to seek other options to get the user’s attention and keep it as well as deliver course concepts. This brings me to the Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS), which is a system that teaches students without a human teacher. The ITS uses four modules that use simulations, expertise, a student module describing student knowledge and misconception, and finally the tutor model that is tipped off by the variance between the expert model and the student model. An ITS is completely reliant on the accuracy of the four models.
With all the technological advances mentioned above, the use of the ITS is only optional and reliant on how much interaction between student and teacher is desired as well as the cost of building the system and its overall productivity. This system is very effective for mass tutoring such as is needed for high volume corporate or military training. Though we are not to give opinion based information, I must say that I do not believe that ITS would assume the position of educators but can be embraced to pick up slack in our educational systems.
What we need are web 3.0 tools such as described in W3C Semantic Web systems. Tools that connect our daily usage of the internet as well as of the tools we find most useful would be great for education because it would make teaching less monotonous and could provide more time for teachers to teach new things. For example, the curriculum that is repetitious can be offered via a web 3.0 tool while new systems can teach new concepts.
References
W3C Semantic Web Retrieved June, 2010 from http://www.w3.org/RDF/FAQ
Wikipedia (2010). Intelligent tutoring system. Retrieved June 2010 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_tutoring_system
Kenya ~ I think your paragraph it the nail on the head. Distance education classes, iPhones, and PDAs are taking off in the educational world. The new school I will be working at has a new program where students that need remedial assistance in a subject do not have to wait until summer school. They can go take a class online in the computer lab as soon as they receive an unsatisfactory grade in a class. Hopefully using a course management system to deliver content, collect information, and differentiate instruction will assist in keeping kids engaged and completing work.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the ITS system could be a great tool to use to tutor students and pick up various skills that students have missed along the way. I am reluctant to have high school or students that are even younger try a completely online curriculum. I think that they gain a lot from interacting with others face to face and I feel like they don’t have all the skills necessary to teach themselves, or work through problems without the aid of another human. I am interested to learn more about ITS systems as a way to help my students supplement their curriculum and reinforce skills.
ReplyDeleteThat is great to understand the trends of the CMS and the tools.Although I have a difficult time with this topic I am finding the information helpful to understand how and what it takes to create online learning. It is interesting that you point out that this tool allows educators to create and deliver easier applications. I believe that the more I read and especially read the various blogs the concepts are useful to me and thinking about developing relevant curriculum.
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