Speed or depth? New Online Learning Formats
Hello. Today we’ll talk about new formats of online learning, namely, about micro-learning, mobile learning and blended learning.
It is known that the lion's share of students, faced with too cumbersome courses, throws it without finishing. The creators of the micro-learning paradigm have tried to solve this problem.
According to the principles of micro-learning, the volume course is divided into short lessons (more often in the form of video clips) for 5-7 minutes each. In contrast to the “classical” hourly lesson, such micro-lessons are designed to help the student master the material in small steps, “eat an elephant piece by piece,” and also learn between work - it’s easier to find 5-10 minutes of free time than to wait for a break or the end of the work of the day. Microeducation is not a new approach, but the use of the perceptions of the human brain, and, what can be hidden, of the current clip consciousness.
Microlearning followers sayabout the advantages of the method: greater involvement of students in the process, learning opportunities in the work process. Coursmos teaches on a wide variety of topics on the most famous micro-course platform, Coursmos, in the format of 1-3 minute videos. True, it is difficult to call this a full-fledged course, they are more like a mini-presentation. In this they remind everyone of the famous Ted lectures , which are also built on the principle of micro-learning. Of the Russian-language programs, Netology courses can also be called followers of micro learning.
Despite the ease of use and the undoubted benefit of micro-learning, this technology has its drawbacks. First of all, this is the inability to go through the voluminous topic "in one sitting." Interruptions after 5-minute clips, a pause, involvement in the process again - such a “ragged” one in itself can deprive concentration. Clips are clips, but at some point you will want to remove the “screensaver” and focus on the subject. The second minus is that micro-learning does not train an arbitrary focus. In other words, you get used to short lessons and it’s getting harder and harder to concentrate on something. A laid-back and light style of presentation harms the process of assimilating new knowledge - according to some, a dry formal style is better for learning. One can argue with the last argument, but the first two, perhaps, make you think.
The rapid development of mobile technology has brought with it a new type of online learning. Now you can study anywhere - the main thing is to have a smartphone or tablet at hand, having a permanent Internet connection is no longer necessary - mLearning can be offline. Unlike classical e-learning, mobile learning is almost always informal - teachers and tutors, as a rule, do not participate in it at all, they can be replaced by experts who are fluent in presentation skills and able to convey the meaning of the lesson in a fun way. Training content for mLearning is either specially created, or carefully adapted and served in small, capacious, subject-matter portions - this is similar to micro-learning, which we talked about earlier. In this sense, a phone or tablet is an ideal micro learning tool.
The huge advantage of mobile learning compared to classical e-learning is the greater student autonomy - now you can even learn the basics of programming with Phyton while standing on the balcony. Or on an escalator. Speed and dynamism during the course is another significant plus.
The most famous Russian example of the implementation of the principles of mLearning was the LinguaLeo application for teaching English . The My Mobile University resource provides free mobile access to lectures and courses at major universities and business schools. American teacher Tony Vinset and author of the Learning In Hand blog created an infographic guide for his students and sympathizerson mobile applications for creating and distributing online courses. Thus, he put into effect the thesis "students can become teachers, and teachers can become even more cool teachers."
Mobile Learning as a type of training is constantly evolving, but some of the problems still remain unresolved. There are both purely technical - device limitations in memory, battery and screen size, and organizational - it is difficult to uniquely identify the student, for example, when passing the test. In addition, the adaptation of content from the "classical" e-learning to the format of mobile learning is a rather expensive process, and not everyone understands its feasibility. There is also a purely psychological point - with the active use of mobile devices in work and study, the boundary between the private life of the student and the worker is erased. Although, who cares now, is not it?
Blended learning involves a mix of group education with a teacher and online learning. The Blended Learning paradigm applies to both schoolchildren and student learning and corporate employee training. Currently, there are many blended learning models and sub - models .
To decide what needs to be done in the classroom and what can be learned at home, which tasks are suitable for individual lessons, and which ones are for group work on a project - this is the main task of a teacher teaching in a blended learning system.
The “trick” of Blended Learning is that moment that parallel participation in “live” and online learning contributes to the achievement of students both independent and joint educational experience. In addition, according to a study by Alexander Mackenzie in 1998, it is known that it is easier for students to evaluate their understanding of the material using computer assessment modules than to trust the opinion of the teacher.
As for specific courses, the effectiveness of Blended Learning is recognized in mastering a foreign language. Live communication, coupled with online reading, watching videos, visual “memorization” of words and interactivity helps to learn a new language as well as possible.
Nevertheless, like any form of training, Blended Learning is not without drawbacks: the time spent on teaching the BlendingLearning platform for both teachers and students, as well as the cost of organizing technical support and the production of educational content, are not always justified in small educational institutions.
As a conclusion, we can say that for certain purposes of training, and even the life credo of the teacher, it is better to choose the appropriate model. To study volume courses within the walls of the university, the use of Blended Learning will most likely be justified, and for teaching the preparation of Italian soup - a two-minute clip in Micro Learning format. Mobile training is suitable for those who are used or forced to constantly be on the road, for example, an active sales manager or a busy negotiator. Which format is closer to you?
Let's start with micro-learning or micro-learning
It is known that the lion's share of students, faced with too cumbersome courses, throws it without finishing. The creators of the micro-learning paradigm have tried to solve this problem.
According to the principles of micro-learning, the volume course is divided into short lessons (more often in the form of video clips) for 5-7 minutes each. In contrast to the “classical” hourly lesson, such micro-lessons are designed to help the student master the material in small steps, “eat an elephant piece by piece,” and also learn between work - it’s easier to find 5-10 minutes of free time than to wait for a break or the end of the work of the day. Microeducation is not a new approach, but the use of the perceptions of the human brain, and, what can be hidden, of the current clip consciousness.
Microlearning followers sayabout the advantages of the method: greater involvement of students in the process, learning opportunities in the work process. Coursmos teaches on a wide variety of topics on the most famous micro-course platform, Coursmos, in the format of 1-3 minute videos. True, it is difficult to call this a full-fledged course, they are more like a mini-presentation. In this they remind everyone of the famous Ted lectures , which are also built on the principle of micro-learning. Of the Russian-language programs, Netology courses can also be called followers of micro learning.
Despite the ease of use and the undoubted benefit of micro-learning, this technology has its drawbacks. First of all, this is the inability to go through the voluminous topic "in one sitting." Interruptions after 5-minute clips, a pause, involvement in the process again - such a “ragged” one in itself can deprive concentration. Clips are clips, but at some point you will want to remove the “screensaver” and focus on the subject. The second minus is that micro-learning does not train an arbitrary focus. In other words, you get used to short lessons and it’s getting harder and harder to concentrate on something. A laid-back and light style of presentation harms the process of assimilating new knowledge - according to some, a dry formal style is better for learning. One can argue with the last argument, but the first two, perhaps, make you think.
The next type of online learning is somewhat similar to the previous one - mobile learning or mLearning
The rapid development of mobile technology has brought with it a new type of online learning. Now you can study anywhere - the main thing is to have a smartphone or tablet at hand, having a permanent Internet connection is no longer necessary - mLearning can be offline. Unlike classical e-learning, mobile learning is almost always informal - teachers and tutors, as a rule, do not participate in it at all, they can be replaced by experts who are fluent in presentation skills and able to convey the meaning of the lesson in a fun way. Training content for mLearning is either specially created, or carefully adapted and served in small, capacious, subject-matter portions - this is similar to micro-learning, which we talked about earlier. In this sense, a phone or tablet is an ideal micro learning tool.
The huge advantage of mobile learning compared to classical e-learning is the greater student autonomy - now you can even learn the basics of programming with Phyton while standing on the balcony. Or on an escalator. Speed and dynamism during the course is another significant plus.
The most famous Russian example of the implementation of the principles of mLearning was the LinguaLeo application for teaching English . The My Mobile University resource provides free mobile access to lectures and courses at major universities and business schools. American teacher Tony Vinset and author of the Learning In Hand blog created an infographic guide for his students and sympathizerson mobile applications for creating and distributing online courses. Thus, he put into effect the thesis "students can become teachers, and teachers can become even more cool teachers."
Mobile Learning as a type of training is constantly evolving, but some of the problems still remain unresolved. There are both purely technical - device limitations in memory, battery and screen size, and organizational - it is difficult to uniquely identify the student, for example, when passing the test. In addition, the adaptation of content from the "classical" e-learning to the format of mobile learning is a rather expensive process, and not everyone understands its feasibility. There is also a purely psychological point - with the active use of mobile devices in work and study, the boundary between the private life of the student and the worker is erased. Although, who cares now, is not it?
Blended Learning
Blended learning involves a mix of group education with a teacher and online learning. The Blended Learning paradigm applies to both schoolchildren and student learning and corporate employee training. Currently, there are many blended learning models and sub - models .
To decide what needs to be done in the classroom and what can be learned at home, which tasks are suitable for individual lessons, and which ones are for group work on a project - this is the main task of a teacher teaching in a blended learning system.
The “trick” of Blended Learning is that moment that parallel participation in “live” and online learning contributes to the achievement of students both independent and joint educational experience. In addition, according to a study by Alexander Mackenzie in 1998, it is known that it is easier for students to evaluate their understanding of the material using computer assessment modules than to trust the opinion of the teacher.
As for specific courses, the effectiveness of Blended Learning is recognized in mastering a foreign language. Live communication, coupled with online reading, watching videos, visual “memorization” of words and interactivity helps to learn a new language as well as possible.
Nevertheless, like any form of training, Blended Learning is not without drawbacks: the time spent on teaching the BlendingLearning platform for both teachers and students, as well as the cost of organizing technical support and the production of educational content, are not always justified in small educational institutions.
As a conclusion, we can say that for certain purposes of training, and even the life credo of the teacher, it is better to choose the appropriate model. To study volume courses within the walls of the university, the use of Blended Learning will most likely be justified, and for teaching the preparation of Italian soup - a two-minute clip in Micro Learning format. Mobile training is suitable for those who are used or forced to constantly be on the road, for example, an active sales manager or a busy negotiator. Which format is closer to you?
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Which training format is closer to you?
- 23.8% Micro-learning 5
- 42.8% Mobile Learning (mLearning) 9
- 38% Blended Learning 8