[publication] Trends and Opportunities in Online Learning, MOOCs, and Cloud-Based Tools #research

Our article about „Trends and Opportunities in Online Learning, MOOCs, and Cloud-Based Tools“ within the Second Handbook of Information Technology in Primary and Secondary Education got published.

Abstract:

Online learning, in particular massive open online courses (MOOCs) and cloud-based tools, is on the move. This chapter takes a deeper look at opportunities and possibilities that might be provided to K-12 education through these emerging tools. The chapter summarizes experiences, case studies, and examples that illustrate where technology-enhanced learning is heading.

[Full article @ Springer]

[Draft @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Chang V., Gütl C., Ebner M. (2018) Trends and Opportunities in Online Learning, MOOCs, and Cloud-Based Tools. In: Voogt J., Knezek G., Christensen R., Lai KW. (eds) Second Handbook of Information Technology in Primary and Secondary Education. Springer International Handbooks of Education. Springer, Cham

[ijet, journal] Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning Vol. 13 / No. 5 #ijet #research

Issue 13(5) of our journal on emerging technologies for learning got published. Enjoy the readings as usual for free :-).

Table of Contents:

  • An Investigation of the Social Network System Competencies of High School Students in Japan
  • Perceptions of Saudi Male and Female Postgraduate Students Regarding the Impact of Social Networking Sites and Apps on their Academic Life: A Study of Umm Al-Qura University – Makkah
  • Usability Metrics for Gamified E-learning Course: A Multilevel Approach
  • Social Factors Influence on Career Choices for Female Computer Science Students
  • Understanding Modern Learning Environment (MLE) in Big Data Era
  • A Comparison Between Moodle, Facebook, and Paper-based Assessment Tools: Students’ Perception of Preference and Effect on Performance
  • Using Facebook for Leveraging Sense of Community in Self-Paced Open and Distance Learning Courses
  • Eye Tracking Technology in Detecting the Switch Cost in the Intra-sentential Code-Switching Contexts
  • Project-oriented Development and Practice of the Machinery Manufacturing Technology Course
  • Construction of SOA Based VR Technology in Animation Teaching
  • Teaching System of Smart Learning Environment for Aerobics Course
  • Construction of the Multimedia Teaching Platform of Cost Accounting Course Based on EXCEL VBA Program
  • A Computer Experiment Teaching System Based on OMAP Embedded System
  • Construction of the Network Learning Platform for the Course Building Space Transformation based on Grid
  • Multimedia Teaching Platform Construction for Fashion Design Based on Simulation and Synchronous Teaching System
  • Multimedia Teaching Platform Construction Based on Flash Interaction Technology for Gymnastics
  • On Computer and Foreign Language Teaching and Learning in Big Data Era

[Link to Issue 13/5]

Nevertheless, if you are interested to become a reviewer for the journal, please just contact me :-).

[publication] Can Learning Analytics Find Success in Didactical Measurements? Results from a MOOC Case Study #tugraz #research

We are very proud to be part of the book „Digital Workplace Learning“ with a contribution about our MOOC research. This time we take a look to a particular MOOC and reported about the case study. Our chapter „Can Learning Analytics Find Success in Didactical Measurements? Results from a MOOC Case Study“ is now published.

Abstract:

In recent years, massive open online courses (MOOCs) led the road into a new era of learning environment systems. Since 2008, e-Learning witnessed a new type of course which is massive in student numbers, open for anyone, and available for all without limitations. MOOCs integrate social networking, accessible online resources, and open-ended outcomes and are publicly shared. In addition, MOOCs offer several online variables that allow researchers from analytical disciplines (learning analytics) to translate these variable data values into research actions and interpret patterns. In this chapter, we present a detailed analysis of a MOOC case study offered in the previous 2 years, 2015 and 2016. The Graz University of Technology, the University of Graz, and partners from the Medical University of Graz collaborated on a project producing a MOOC called “Dr. Internet.” This MOOC aims to investigate whether the Internet helps or hurts in the endeavor to increase health literacy of the public and how it affects the practitioner-patient relationship. Nevertheless, the research study in this chapter is looking onto a different point of view. We will follow a quantitative investigation and apply learning analytics techniques on learners’ behavior as well as scrutinize traces they left behind in videos, discussion forums, and quizzes. In addition, we try to further inspect the dropout rate and level of engagement. It can be outlined that the early analysis results show that those MOOCs behaved similar to other studies but they differ in the higher number of reads in the discussion forum. Reasonable didactical interventions assisted to change learners’ attitudes toward online learning. This chapter will also describe the didactical approach of the Dr. Internet MOOCs.

[Full Paper @ Springer]

[Draft version @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Khalil M., Ebner M. (2018) Can Learning Analytics Find Success in Didactical Measurements? Results from a MOOC Case Study. In: Ifenthaler D. (eds) Digital Workplace Learning. Springer, Cham. pp. 211-225

[publication] Brauchen die Studierenden von morgen noch E-Learning?-… oder E-Learning im Jahr 2034 #tugraz #research

Ich habe die Gedanken meines Vortrages rund um die heutige Situation zu E-Learning auf wenigen Seiten zusammengefasst. Der Beitrag „Brauchen die Studierenden von morgen noch E-Learning?-… oder E-Learning im Jahr 2034“ ist nun erschienen.

Einleitung:

Die Digitalisierung der Hochschule und damit auch oder insbesondere der Hochschullehre ist eines der großen Themen dieser Tage. Durch den digitalen Wandel und die ständig zunehmenden technischen Neuerungen werden viele Prozesse unseres Alltags grundlegendend verändert. Hatten wir noch vor wenigen Jahren einen analogen Kalender mit uns, so gibt es heute eine mobile App. Mussten wir vor der Jahrtausendwende auf das Telefon ausweichen, wenn wir miteinander über große Strecken kommunizieren wollten, so gibt es heute viele mobile Apps die Kommunikation erlauben. Werden heute noch die meisten Glühbirnen mittels Lichtschalter aus- und eingeschaltet, so erlaubt uns das zukünftige Smart Home bereits die Verwendung einer App dafür. Diese Beispiele lassen sich beliebig fortsetzen und je länger man darüber nachdenkt, versteht man, dass wir am Aufbruch in ein komplett neues Zeitalter stehen, welches nur schwer vorherzusagen ist. Jetzt steht aber das Bildungssystem vor enormen Herausforderungen, wenn man bedenkt, dass der Anspruch ist, Schülerinnen und Schüler bzw. Studentinnen und Studenten auf den Berufsalltag vorzubereiten. Vor allem wenn man berücksichtigt, dass ein/e Schulanfänger/in im September 2017, die Primarstufe 2021 abschließt und 2029 zum Abitur antritt. Im besten Falle erfolgt der Bachelorabschluss 2032 und der Master im Jahre 2034. Wenn man nur davon ausgeht, dass die technische Entwicklung der letzten 17 Jahre gleich konservativ voran schreitet, wird es viele neue technische Errungenschaften geben die heute noch nicht bekannt sind. Um die Jahrtausendwende gab es so z.B. noch kein Web 2.0, d.h. die Idee dass die Gesellschaft aktiv am Internet teilnimmt, war damals noch kaum vorstellbar. Facebook, Whatsapp & Co war noch Zukunftsmusik und auch Smartphones (egal ob iPhone oder Androidgeräte) noch gar nicht „erfunden“. Kurzum es ist schwer einen „richtigen“ Weg in die digitale Zukunft der Hochschullehre aufzuzeigen, trotzdem gibt es wohl wichtige Stoßrichtungen um zumindest in die richtige Richtung zu gehen. Dazu werden hier fünf Fragen gestellt und versucht darauf auch Antworten zu geben.

[Full Article @ ResearchGate]

Referenz: Ebner, M. (2018) Brauchen die Studierenden von morgen noch E-Learning? … oder E-Learning im Jahr 2034. In: Lehre und Digitalisierung – 5. Forum Hochschullehre und E-Learning-Konferenz. Brinker, T. & Ilg, K. (Hrsg.). S. 9-12. UVW UniversitätsVerlagWebler Bielefeld. ISBN 978-3-946017-10-3

[publication] Distance Learning and Assistance Using Smart Glasses #tugraz #smartglass #AugmentedReality

Our newest research on „Distance Learning and Assistance Using Smart Glasses“ got published within a special issue, called „Challenges and Future Trends of Distance Learning„.

Abstract:

With the everyday growth of technology, new possibilities arise to support activities of everyday life. In education and training, more and more digital learning materials are emerging, but there is still room for improvement. This research study describes the implementation of a smart glasses app and infrastructure to support distance learning with WebRTC. The instructor is connected to the learner by a video streaming session and gets the live video stream from the learner’s smart glasses from the learner’s point of view. Additionally, the instructor can draw on the video to add context-aware information. The drawings are immediately sent to the learner to support him to solve a task. The prototype has been qualitatively evaluated by a test user who performed a fine-motor-skills task and a maintenance task under assistance of the remote instructor.

[Full Article @ Education Science Journal]

[Full Article @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Spitzer, M.; Nanic, I.; Ebner, M. Distance Learning and Assistance Using Smart Glasses. Educ. Sci. 2018, 8, 21.

[publication] Learning Analytics #research

Im Rahmen des Handbuchs E-Learning haben wir einen kurzen Beitrag im Team verfasst rund um das Thema Learning Analytics. Es sollte dabei kurz das Thema erklärt und dabei Ziele, Interessensgruppen und Methoden dargestellt werden.

Zusammenfassung:

Dieser Beitrag beschreibt die Ziele, Methoden und Interessengruppen von Learning Analytics. Darüberhinaus werden die unterschiedlichen Strukturen der Daten von Big Data und Learning Analytics betrachtet. Dargestellt werden ferner die Planung des Einsatzes von Learning Analytics und die Phasen der technischen Implementierung.

[Vorabversion auf ResearchGate]

Referenz: Grandl, M., Taraghi, B., Ebner, M., Leitner, P. & Ebner, M. (2017) Learning Analytics. In K. Wilbers & A. Hohenstein (Hrsg.), Handbuch E-Learning. Expertenwissen aus Wissenschaft und Praxis – Strategien, Instrumente, Fallstudien. Köln: Deutscher Wirtschaftsdienst (Wolters Kluwer Deutschland). 72. Erg.-Lfg. Dezember 2017.
9.1 S. 1-16

[publication] Kurie Neue Medien – Denkraum Wirtschaft #bildungskonzil17 #heldenberg

Ich wurde eingeladen am Bildungskonzil in Heldenberg 2017 teilzunehmen und durft dort zwei Tage lang den Denkraum Wirtschaft in der Kurie Neue Medien leiten. Wir machten uns dabei Gedanken wie wir einen Beitrag zum Thema „Bildung kann Frieden sichern“ leisten konnten. Zusammenfassend waren es sehr spannende Tage, mit viel Diskussion und Austausch und am Ende einem Ergebnis welches sich durchaus sehen lassen kann.

[Zusammenfassung Denkraum Wirtschaft in der Kurie Neue Medien bei ResearchGate]

Generelle Informationen zum Bildungskonzil findet man hier auf der Webseite – auch kann man sich bei Interesse für die Veranstaltung 2018 bereits bewerben.

Referenz: Ebner, M. (2018) Kurie Neue Medien – Denkraum Wirtschschaft. Bildungskonzil 2017. Heldenberg. S. 25-29 http://bildungskonzil-heldenberg.at

[ijet, journal] Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning Vol. 13 / No. 1 #ijet #research

Issue 13(1) of our journal on emerging technologies for learning got published. Enjoy the readings as usual for free :-).

Table of Contents:

  • Building Learning System for Content Knowledge and Social Knowledge
  • Big Data Emerging Technology: Insights into Innovative Environment for Online Learning Resources
  • SPOC-based Flipped Classroom of College English: Construction of an Effective Learning Model
  • Learning Analytics Through Serious Games: Data Mining Algorithms for Performance Measurement and Improvement Purposes
  • Modelling Online Course Services and Comparison of its Major Providers
  • The Role of Infographics for the Development of Skills for Cognitive Modeling in Education
  • Role and Value of Learning Theories in the Area of Adaptive Educational Hypermedia Systems Incorporating Learning Styles
  • Effects of the Gamification Supported Flipped Classroom Model on the Attitudes and Opinions Regarding Game-Coding Education
  • Designing and Evaluating the Use of Smartphones to Facilitate Online Testing in Second-Language Teacher Education (SLTE): An Auto-Ethnographic Study
  • Recent Developments in Game-Based Virtual Reality Educational Laboratories Using the Microsoft Kinect
  • Collaborative Learning at Engineering Universities: Benefits and Challenges
  • Constraint-based Student Modelling in Probability Story Problems with Scaffolding Techniques
  • Enhanced Peer Assessment in MOOC Evaluation Through Assignment and Review Analysis
  • On China’s English Teaching Reform: From Micro-lesson and MOOCs to Flipped Class
  • The Development of STEM Literacy Using the Learning Process of Scientific Imagineering through AR

[Link to Issue 13/1]

Nevertheless, if you are interested to become a reviewer for the journal, please just contact me :-).

[publication] Digital social innovation within education: Five insights on the role of digital tools in the field of Open Educational Resources (OER) projects #OER

Our publication titled „Digital social innovation within education: Five insights on the role of digital tools in the field of Open Educational Resources (OER) projects“ got published in the new volume of „Progress in Education„.

Abstract:

Open Educational Resources (OER) are regarded as one of the main digital social innovations (DSI) of the last centuries. OER is defined as open licenced learning content or software for learning and teaching, e.g. textbooks, courses, or learning management systems. Building on the authors‘ experiences in OER within the projects, this contribution describes four OER projects as case studies for OER. Based on a general case outline, involved partners, funding, development and organisation, used digital tools, results and impact of the projects are characterised. The final chapter addresses the main issues on tools and software needed in OER projects. According to the experiences in the case studies five assumptions about digital tools in OER projects are postulated and open for discussion.

[Draft @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Schön, S., Ebner, M., Hornung-Prähauser, V. (2017) Digital social innovation within education: Five insights on the role of digital tools in the field of Open Educational Resources (OER) projects. In: Nata, R. V. (ed). Progress in Education. Vol. 49. pp. 167-188. Nova publisher

[publication] Mobile Applications for Encyclopedias #AustriaForum #mobileLearning

Paul developed within his master thesis mobile applications for the Austria Forum. We summarized this work in a chapter about „Mobile Applications for Encyclopedias“ within the book „Mobile and Ubiquitous Learning. Perspectives on Rethinking and Reforming Education“.

Abstract:

In this research work a survey of tested mobile applications will be summarized, which were selected by a few defined prerequisites, and a brief overview is given of what is available in the corresponding stores. It will also be shown how the individual mobile applications for encyclopedias are presenting and providing information to users. This cover its visual representation and the manner in how information is retrieved. Additionally a new smart way will be introduced in which we can deal with information with a special focus to encyclopedias and mobile devices. The prototyped application carries out special features, which makes usage of mobile devices capabilities. The presented approach follows a slightly more aggressive way on how to bring information to users. For example it requires the permission of user and tells him/ her actively that there is an interesting piece of information close by his/ her location. Communication between the device and users is done using the notification system. To satisfy the needs of users a set of options will be presented so that they can customize time and number of notifications. Those settings shall also prevent the battery from draining to fast and give the user control about it. The outcome is a a prototype with a set of features which allows users to retrieve information based on their mood and their willingness of spending effort. If he/ she is eager to learn the application provides ways to support that. If he/ she just want some quick information there are ways to get it. And if he/ she wants a new way of information retrieval via mobile applications for encyclopedias the prototype offers the above mentioned possibility to do so

[Full article @ Springer]

[Draft @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Neuhold P., Ebner M., Maurer H. (2018) Mobile Applications for Encyclopedias. In: Yu S., Ally M., Tsinakos A. (eds) Mobile and Ubiquitous Learning. Perspectives on Rethinking and Reforming Education. Springer, Singapore. pp. 229-247 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-10-6144-8_14