Get online with a little help from your friends

Academics using myUnisa

Leonie Steyn

Sakai Conference

December 2006

The helping friends

Introduction The way Unisa blends Blended learning as a means to

enhance open distance learning Examples Accommodate those without access Conclusion

Introduction

Distance learning Distance learning preferred mode of

learning Unisa - 250 000 students Majority of Unisa teaching via

printed medium Face-to-face learner support myUnisa birth 2005

Unisa students worldwide

Americas

Europe Asia

AfricaOceania

2004 - 573

2005 - 539

2006 - 489

2004 - 220 950

2005 - 230 494

2006 - 241 303

2004 - 273

2005 - 264

2006 - 276

2004 - 693

2005 - 712

2006 - 746

2004 - 2 393

2005 - 2 282

2006 - 2 061

Features required

Top Ten Features Required for LMS 2005

Online research resources

Track-and trace information (for packages mailed)

Prescribed book information

Financial information

Email alerts

Online payments

Online course materials (including tutorial letters)

Online subject registrations

Assignment due dates and reminders

Academic calendar (exam and other dates)

Online submission of assignments

Desired features

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000

Email alerts

Lecturer biographies and other information

Subject specific discussion groups

Shared whiteboard facilities

Non-formal self-assessment exercises

Contact information of peer students (voluntary participation)

Real-time chat groups (text based)

Information on subject tutors

Online book and journal requesting

SMS alerts

Class lists (contact details for fellow students)

Book selling and buying

Learning support

Very diverse student group Create learning site that provides

Easily accessible content Active learning environments vs passive

distance learning Global skills & information Resources Support

Sense of community

The Way Unisa Blends

Not Face-to-face learning vs e-learning

Paper based learning supported by e-learning/online learning Video Satellite Face to face

Increases Interaction

Interaction with content

Interaction with lecturer and fellow learners

Interaction with self

Activities, resources, multi-media, online assessment

Discussion forums & emails

Online portfolios & self assessment activities

Continuum of tools used

Announcements

Schedule

Resources

E-mail

Discussion Forums

Welcome page

Minimum presence Even more…Additional features

FAQs

Online assessment

Web pages

In addition to print-based learning materials such as study

guides, tutorial letters, etc, online support in the form of

Usage depends upon:o Class sizeo Course demandso Student needs

Teaching and learning with myUnisa

The following are examples of how lecturers use myUnisa for teaching and learning

myUnisa Home page

Message of the day

Welcome message: Generic

Welcome message

Welcome message

Resources page: Generic

Official Resources

Resources page

Resource page: Articles

Resources: Direct links

Announcement page

Announcements

Example: Announcement

Announcement: Teaching and learning

Resources

Resources with attachments

Discussion forum

Posted message

Teaching and learning: Feedback

Teaching and learning: Feedback

Teaching and learning: Feedback

Teaching and learning: Discussion forum

Teaching and learning: Discussion forum

Student learning

Message of the day

FAQs

FAQs

FAQ

Accommodate those without access

Online components optional: “Compelling, not compulsory”

Summaries of discussion forums Print lists of additional resources Immediate feedback into

print materials QA Motivate for more student access