Our students in higher education need to be provided with opportunities to connect with one another. In this presentation I report on my theoretical perspective and the results on a study.

1. Using networking interfaces to
augment open and distance learning
Christa van Staden
1

2. Module at Unisa
2
Previous lecturer passed away
Post graduate module
Identified for e-portfolios
My field - technology in education

3. Challenges
3
1/2 dropped out before I took over
All most zero response on requests
Current assignments were insufficient
Do they actually READ my messsages?
Impossible to check

4. Alarming graduation rates:
All 3 & 4 year qualifications
Contact institutes
Unisa
6%
16%
78%
48%
7%
45%
4

5. Report:
Reason: Underpreparedness of students
Solution: Prolong time for completion
DHE: Rather more contact time per year
5

6. Fact
Students were top 12% achievers
so why do they fail?
6

7. According to students?
Cannot get hold of lecturers
Lecturers unfriendly when contacted
7
0
2.25
4.5
6.75
9
0 1
2
3
4
5

8. Why do I need to take notice?
Individualistic learners depends
on lecturers
* Text book
* Assignments unclear
* example: histoiografie
* Electronic submission
8
15%
61%
24%
Competitive learners
Individualistic learners
Cooperative learners

9. According to students
Content outdated
Assignments are “boring”
9

10. 10
0%6%
42%52%
rewrite textbooks
work in groups
work on own to find solutions to problems
apply new knowledge, skills, and techniques in my own practice
Why do I have to take notice?
Do not realise
importance of group
work

11. Who are my customers?
Graduated
Working & studying
I do not
know!!!!!
11
Adults!!!!!

12. Pedagogical approach?
12
peda = child &gogy = study of learning
New -gogy: 4.36 / 5

13. Adult learners
Speed of learning
decrease, depth
increase
Diverse
group
13
Bring own
experience to
learning
Motivated!!!
Ingredients for rich learning

14. Andragogical approach?
14
Guide by the side
Available

15. Lack confidence in learning skills
15
I need to support them

16. Adults are resistant to change
16
Have to challenge them

17. Heutagogical approach?
We want to control our own learning
I have to be there to catch them
17

18. Self-directed learners
18
Get access to content & people

19. Heutagogical approach
19

20. Formal learning
20
0
3
6
9
12
0 1 2 3 4
5

21. Communication tool
21
“Anything is better than nothing!”

22. Various technologies
22
distribute knowledge base

23. Personal Development Networks
23

24. Technologies used
24
Networking interfaces

25. Networking interfaces can provide
25
Learning opportunities
Damage control ….

26. Networking interface?
26
Facebook?
Whatsapp?
Something else?

27. networking interfaces can be used to
27
Artificial intelligence
like
add
friends
comment
rate
text
audio
video

28. Various functionalities
28
accessable knowledge base

29. networking interfaces are
29

30. 3 types of learners
30
cooperative competitive
individualistic
Cooperative learning strategies

31. Cooperative learning
31
face to face interaction
positive interdependence
individual accountability
small and large group skills
group reflection
Johnson & Johnson 2013

32. 32
feed in one place
Functionalities
Group function

33. Face-to-Face interaction
33
Face to face
TT - ODL = better than face-to-face

34. Positive interdependence
34
I do not know how?
They are fine ….

35. Individual accountability
35

36. Interpersonal and small group skills
36
I am lost
No problem, I am here to help. We are the Super Heroes

37. They become the teachers
37
Referencing techniques
Asks
assistance

38. share best pratcices
38
Reflect on practice

39. Artificial intelligence
39

40. Motivated students
40
Worried 50%
involvement
Won’t dissapoint me
or themselves

41. When stuck …
41

42. Personal development networks
Adult students rely of relationships with peers
42
“Without this group I would have quitted”

43. Learning happens in groups
Communities of
practice
learning communities
Professional learning
communities
43

44. Assessment of my efficiency
44
“You are 24/7 available”

45. Complaint
45
Worry: Will not apply in his/her practice
I don’t know wats rong wit XXX lecturers
dey want our lives to b hard 4nothing.
To prove dat de XXX is only one page in
principle dis one is almost 10 pages!
(a wiki co-created by 78 students!)

46. Appraisal
Do we provide the opportunities?
XX
46
A future lecturer to appoint …

47. in my defence
47
A student who struggles with computer
… dr Christa knew exactly what she
wanted and expected and was and is
always more than willing and able to
explain when we get stuck

48. Tattletale
48
Read
A problem?
11 hours
ago
Many likes …

49. Assessment of self-directed learners
49
15%
36%
39%
9%
Examinations New projects ePortfolios Portfolios
Alternative
assessment preferred

50. e-portfolios
50
Alternative
assessment
preferred

51. 51
My role as adult educator?

52. Alternative assignments
1. Guidelines needed
2. Effective feedback needed
52

53. Challenge them
53

54. How do I assess them?
54
New assessment 4.06 / 5

55. 55
Andragogical approach
The journey need to be assessed

56. 56
Personal development networks

57. Access to social resources
57
descriptive 1 -> 3 -> 4
diagnostic 2 = isolated
predictive 2 can struggle

58. Development networks
58
descriptive - clicques, isolates
diagnostic - one clicque, 1 isolate, direction of ties
predictive - can struggle
prescriptive - need to support informal learning

59. Gamification
59
Extrinsic
motivation

60. Efficiency of e-learning
60
Paper on glass?

61. What I have learned?
61
can identify challenges before they escallate
Informal learning plays a major role
Students need me @ night & weekends
can create illusion that I am 24/7 available

62. Challenges
62
* Office hours? (Are we flexible)
* Need permission to integrate a technology to
support my students? (Are we open to change @
technology)
* Research opportunities (Are we sustainable?)

63. 63
Business = customers
Mission
Vision
Strategy

64. Thank you for attending this session
64