Expectations

In order to achieve the overall aim I described in my Hopes page above, I need to bridge a knowledge gap in relation to my understanding of the theory of, and best practice in, eLearning in a range of educational contexts.

To achieve this aim, I am planning to use a blend of software applications and tools including Adobe Captivate, Moodle, GeoGebra, Microsoft Excel, Moodle, WIRIS, Intuiface, Microsoft Kinect, TAO, Mixpanel and Segment.  Other than GeoGebra and Microsoft Excel (both of which I am familiar with and skilled in), I need to become familiar with the other applications/tools and develop an awareness of the challenges and opportunities associated with each.  I hope to develop and evaluate a partial prototype of materials, courses and systems as part of the practitioner based eLearning project that is part of this MSc course.

Although I am familiar with a number of learning theories, having studied them as part of my Higher Diploma in Education (1984-85) and my Masters Degree in Education (1990-94), I expect that this course will help me to develop an excellent understanding of eLearning theory and practice.  I developed an eLearning artefact for the thesis component of my Masters Degree in Education in 1994 without any real knowledge of best eLearning practice.  I understand that there are approximately 30 years of empirical research that today underpin the multimedia principles that should be utilised in the design of effective eLearning.

I applied to do this Masters Degree course to bridge gaps in my understanding of the theory of, and best practice in, eLearning (a pedagogical challenge) and to become more aware and skilled in eLearning technologies with which I am currently unfamiliar (a technical challenge).  I expect that the modules on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 13:00, combined with self-learning and interfacing with staff and students on the course, will help to bridge these gaps.