KUETEF: 130. Unit 1: EDU 0.13

[Posted for the Kerala University English Teacher Educator’s Forum - KUETEF]

The following is a brief summary of the topics prescribed for study under Unit 1 of EDU 0.13. A presentation of the same was made during the Academic Meeting of KUETEF held at Govt. CTE,Thiruvananthapuram on 11 August 2016.

Blended Learning

Blended courses (also known as hybrid or mixed-mode courses) are classes where a portion of the traditional face-to-face instruction is replaced by web-based online learning.

Cloud-based learning

Online education is rising in popularity. Learning platforms were traditionally static software-based courses filled with single-source content and at best patchy technology options for collaborating. Today, online-learning platforms are flexible, dynamic and can be accessed on the user’s preferred device, including smart phones and tablets, making any time any where learning possible.

Collaborative learning

Collaborative learning is a method of teaching and learning in which students team together to explore a significant question or create a meaningful project. A group of students discussing a lecture or students from different schools working together over the Internet on a shared assignment are both examples of collaborative learning.

Connectivism

It is a new theory that knowledge consists of the connections between entities in a network, and that learning consists of developing and traversing these networks. Nurturing and maintaining connections is needed to facilitate continual learning as seen in Massive Open Online Courses.

Cooperative learning

Cooperative learning, is a specific kind of collaborative learning. In cooperative learning, students work together in small groups on a structured activity. They are individually accountable for their work, and the work of the group as a whole is also assessed. Cooperative groups work face-to-face and learn to work as a team.

e-learning

At its simplest, e-learning is electronic learning, and typically this means using a computer to deliver part, or all of a course whether it's in a school or a full distance learning course.

e-Tutoring

e-tutoring can be defined as teaching, support, management and assessment of students on programmes of study that involve a significant use of online technologies (TechLearn, 2000).

Metacognition

Metacognition refers to higher order thinking which involves active control over the cognitive processes engaged in learning. Activities such as planning how to approach a given learning task, monitoring comprehension, and evaluating progress toward the completion of a task are metacognitive in nature. "Metacognition" is often simply defined as "thinking about thinking."

Modern Instructional Strategies

They include Cooperative Learning: The Jigsaw; Inquiry-Based Instruction; Differentiated Instruction; Use of Graphic Organizers; Utilizing Technology in the classroom.

Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)

Massive Open Online Courses aim at unlimited participation and open access via the web. In addition to traditional course materials such as filmed lectures, readings, and problem sets, many MOOC’s provide interactive user forums to support community interactions among students, professors, and teaching assistants.

Video Conference

A videoconference is a live connection between people in separate locations for the purpose of communication, usually involving audio and often text as well as video. At its simplest, videoconferencing provides transmission of static images and text between two locations. At its most sophisticated, it provides transmission of full-motion video images and high-quality audio between multiple locations.

Virtual Learning

Computers and Internet technology are transforming the way students learn. This emerging education paradigm is often called virtual learning. Today, it is possible for billions of people around the world to share ideas in a matter of seconds, mostly at a very low cost using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Skype and other online communications media.

Webminar

It is the short form for web-based seminar. Webminars usually contain a presentation, lecture, workshop or seminar that is transmitted over the Web using video conferencing software. A key feature of a Webinar is its interactive elements: the ability to give, receive and discuss information in real-time.

Please view the following link for webminars for teachers of English:

https://americanenglish.state.gov/resources/american-english-webinars

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/events/webinars

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As Indians, we must of course learn from the past; but we must remain