Learning Solutions Newsletter Q2 2020
DIDACTICS & TEACHING
Online Teaching Facts & FiguresThe need to maintain teaching in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a rethinking of teaching and learning in the minds of all those involved (lecturers, course organisation, etc.). The field of online teaching and the E-Learning sector in general have experienced an immense upswing in this area. This is also reflected in the following figures (data from MCI Designer database):
A total of 1180 webinars in May 2020 (for comparison: 174 webinars in May 2019)
44 webinars per day on average in May 2020 (for comparison: 8 webinars per day on average in May 2019)
37 trainings (Sakai, Adobe Connect, eAssessment, didactics in online teaching)
with a total of 164 training participants since the beginning of the complete transition from the MCI campus to the eCampus.
A new pool of resources for staff and student: Teach Online and Learn OnlineDuring the sudden move to online teaching over the past months, access to online support resources – alongside training and human support – has been essential. In order to cater for the needs of staff and students who found themselves having to teach and learn online without much notice, the Learning Solutions team has created online hubs for both groups, where they can find a range of resources to enable them to get up and running with online teaching and learning quickly. Both are freely accessible without the need to log on in order to reduce any barriers.
The Teach Online site has grown from a lean webpage that provided an overview of the most important features about MCI’s learning environment to a full-blown online self-help center for lecturers and teaching support staff alike. It includes
- information about the various tools and design options in Sakai (including a range of video tutorials, fact sheets, and checklists)- key information about using Adobe Connect for webinars- guidance and resources for online assessment- an overview of the options regarding development and use of online learning materials- an overview of different online teaching formats as well as- an FAQ section.
The Learn Online site provides an overview for students on their MCI eCampus, including the various tools in Sakai, information about accessing Adobe Connect and participating in a webinar, as well as important pointers to online communication and collaboration (including a Netiquette) and tips to help them manage their time, their learning environment, and a range of further resources.
Both sites are being continually extended and will be available as resource hubs into the future.
INNOVATION & INITIATIVE
How our lecturers have made the transition to online teaching/distance learningThe conversion from traditional classroom teaching to an online format has been a great challenge for lecturers for several weeks now. Not only the competence in dealing with learning technologies is an essential factor when conducting online courses. Many lecturers have had to realize that they have to turn their entire didactic concept upside down in order to be able to convey their content in the online format according to the learning objectives. Here are a few statements from MCI lecturers:
"I have really enjoyed the online formats." (a lecturer from the B&M department)
"I am very surprised how creative I could still make it online using as many tools as possible." (a teacher and language trainer)
"the crash introduction to Adobe Connect on Friday last week - it was just what I needed in the time available and helped me get started right away! Yesterday and today I completed the first part of my LV completely online, everything worked out great. Even though I couldn't completely change my concept didactically in the short time available, I still managed to create a mixture of input, individual work (reading) and discussion. Partly it was even really interactive :-)." (a teacher from the M&R department)
"... In the meantime, I have completed my entire lecture and also the examination using Sakai and Adobe Connect. Everything has worked perfectly and I have received positive feedback from many students. I also felt comfortable and secure during the web conferences, and the training was very beneficial. …„ (a lecturer from the UVET department)
We at MCI Learning Solutions are delighted with the positive feedback. We are particularly pleased that so many lecturers have been able to gain good experience with online teaching in recent months and weeks and are now motivated to use learning technologies more in their teaching in the future as well and to develop further in the field of media didactics. We are happy to provide support in the form of training and personal coaching.
LEARNING & COMMUNITY CORNER
In the Spotlight interview with Dr. Karin Sixl-Daniell on her long-time experience in online teachingIn the following impressive In the Spotlight interview, Dr. Karin Sixl-Daniell (professor and former colleague in the department Business Administration online) explains how her role as a teacher has changed in teaching online and how she is preparing for online teaching. It is also interesting to hear what she says about the supposed lack of closeness to online students.
Look and listen:
E-Learning Training ProgramMCI Learning Solutions, in coordination with HR department, is currently working on another comprehensive training program for lecturers for the summer months to equip lecturers with the necessary digital skills for the winter semester and make them fit for online teaching.
What we would like to point out again is the Digital Summercamp 2020, which will start on June 15th with a kick-off webinar and will then be conducted as an 8-week asynchronous online course. Information and registration at PE Sharepoint and here. If you would like to consolidate and expand the digital skills like digital collaboration you have gained in the past weeks - we would be happy to have you participate.In addition, you will find references to further training from external providers in the training program on the Teach Online page (in the training program at the very bottom). The training courses and events are partly in German and partly in English.
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