Special Thanks to Education 4766

It has been a great pleasure to be able to work with this class and complete this course successfully. Web Based Learning has made huge contributions to my life and I can admit it with confidence and pride today. I have acquired knowledge regarding almost every type of Web Based tool there is now on the web and I know how to use them all. Also I have learnt to handle online courses which prepares me for my future plans with Online degree that I have in mind after Graduation from University of Lethbridge. This course has taught me more than what I could have possibly imagined.Im proud to complete this course.It was a fun semester. My Special thanks to Education 4766.My special thanks to our Instructor Lorraine Beaudin.My special thanks to my fellow classmates who have helped me with solutions when I had problems.My Special thanks to those of you who took the time to visit my blog even for a second.Im wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Very Happy New Year.God Bless all of you.

Bernie Dodge, the creator of Webquest

Hello folks
I have discussed the usefulness of webquest on my last blog post.Here I have pasted the video of Bernie Dodge himself who talks about his creation "webquest". He also talks about the differences between blogs, wikis and webquests.Check this video out and listen to what Bernie Dodge has to say about his invention.

Webquest is a unique idea.

In all honesty, Webquest is something that I was not very familiar with all this time until I did my recent Assignment for Education 4766. I have visited several webquests and found out that it is actually more precise than a website that can be used for teaching students.In my opinion a webquest is just like an online blackboard where the teacher puts everything that their students need to learn. The only difference is information and learning materials are being put on the web instead of being written on the board.I think a teacher can use webquesting without even writing anything on the board.All they need is a domain name or a permanent web host so that they can keep updating their webquest from time to time.I think it is a unique idea and it looks more legitimate than a website because it does not contain useless links. Webquest is a very decent source for teaching students and 100% legitimate for students of any age.It is cool.It is unique.

Here are the five basic constituents of a webquest that I learned from my assignment last week.
1) Introduction
2) Task
3)Process
4)Evaluation
5)Conclusion

To view an example ,visit this webquest:
http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webquests/genes/

IP Phone

An IP phone is also known as an Internet Protocol phone or VOIP phone (Voice over Internet Protocol). It is a booming technology which was first introduced by Cisco technology. An IP phone works just like a normal telephone or a cell phone but the transmission of data takes place over the internet. Use of an IP phone can also be called the transmission of Voice. This technology can replace the use of normal telephone conferencing as it has very low cost. All you need to perform a Telephone conference is an IP phone and High Speed Internet. It can be used as a web based teaching tool for online education. Many professors today use telephone conferencing with Graduate students who are involved in the Online education. This technology can help reduce the cost and charge no phone bill at all.

PODCAST into your classroom.

Podcast has been one of the most useful and effective technologies in the recent days. Podcasting can be used to download audio and video contents over the internet. With the help of Podcasting a user can collect music and movies as well as download academic multimedia materials such as simulation of webcasting or creating a powerpoint presentation. It is very important for online users to get acquainted with this technology. Every online learner should know what a Podcast is and how it works.Check this video. It is an A to Z simulation of what Podcast is, how it is used and why it is unique.It also shows how Podcasting can be introduced into classroom.

The beauty of Online Learning

Online learning is the process of learning that takes place on the computer screen over the Internet. A learner does not need any specific class time to attend or follow since lectures are posted online by the Instructor. The work required is a lot less compared to a regular course. I did not realize it until I started taking the course known as Education4766 (Web based learning). The completion of this course will be no less than achieving an Online Degree since it has taught me to contact the teacher and fellow students in the class by emailing and blogging. Our Instructor posts all the project outlines and deadlines for submission on the web, we access it and work accordingly. The best part is it helps me to save a lot of time that I get to spend on my other courses because I do not require to discuss matters with my classmates as all the materials are attached and posted on the class website. It is an excellent process of learning.

The beauty of Online learning fascinates me so much that I had decided to desgin a website based on the topic of Online Learning. This website was created as an assignment for Education 4766 in Fall 2007. The website discusses Online communication and assessment tools.
Here is the link to my website: http://people.uleth.ca/~ahmed.biswas/Publicationhome.htm


The usefulness and flexibility of Online Education are discussed in the movie that I have attached below. Listen to what some of the teachers have to say about online learning. Visit : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ESqMeZGQKw

Usefulness of Self Directed Learning (SDL)

Most learners in the world of Online education today are highly dependent on SELF DIRECTED LEARNING. SDL is an excellent way of educating oneself where an individual can perform an academic or work related task by the help of Internet with just a computer. Many online degrees today are offered through Distance Education Institutions that are completed through the supervision of SDL.

There are few drawbacks of SDL such as accessiblilty to Internet is always required. However, there are more advantages over disadvantages since SDL saves the learner a lot of money as it does not require the hassel of buying pen and papers for a lecture. It does not require the learner to go to class since SDL takes place in Virtual Classroom.

SDL helps the learner to learn through self supervision that gains them confidence. Both students and teachers are capable of SDL learning as long as they have the proper requirements such as Internet, Computer and relevant softwares required for using academic sources.

Given below is the cycle of Self Directed Learning created in a report at Syracuse University:

Self Directed Learning plays a very important role in Distance Education. Read this journal for further informatuon regarding SDL in Distance Education: http://cade.athabascau.ca/vol1.1/moore.html