MODELS OF INTERACTION IN THE UCLA E.V.A.S

Abstract

Nowadays, new forms of communicative interaction are growing. Universities contribute to this development by promoting teaching in virtual learning environments. Thus, this requires a methodological change: from the teaching university towards the learning university. Therefore, students are given roles, which were traditionally held by teachers, like content creator and manager.

Besides, collaborative work is promoted by using learning platforms like Moodle. A widely spread belief is that students are “digital natives” (Prensky, 2001) and expert users of communicative social networks, therefore, can adopt such roles easily. The assumption is they can transfer communicative abilities from their normal interaction and exchange of digital information patterns into virtual learning environments.

This work introduces a model of interaction that provides a personal learning environment in which Moodle offers a student-centered approach, which allows to limit, define and operationalize communication systems and observe their effect on the construction of knowledge which is described.

The system described in this paper is deployed and tested at UCLA (LISANDRO ALVARADO University), with a virtual campus of more than 1000 students.

It is concluded that the instructions given by teachers define what type of interaction aims and activities must be designed, so that the collaboration among students is essential.

Key words: communicative interaction, virtual learning environments (VLE), digital wisdom, knowledge, Moodle, digital natives, collaborative work, communicative social networks, digital information

DE LAS REPRESENTACIONES SOCIALES A LAS CONFIGURACIONES

SOCIALES: UN DEBATE EPISTÉMICO EN LAS CIENCIAS SOCIALES.

FROM SOCIAL REPRESENTATIONS TO SOCIAL CONFIGURATIONS: AN

EPISTEMOLOGICAL DEBATE IN SOCIAL SCIENCES

UPEL-IPB

Recibido: 02-05-07 Aceptado: 14-06-07

RESUMEN ABSTRACT

Como un intento de superar el enfoque tradicional positivista, en el presente ensayo se debaten aspectos inherentes a la objetivación, el anclaje, la subjetivación y la intersubjetividad que en términos epistemológicos socioconstruccionistas, estos comportan la posibilidad de configurar las representaciones sociales para la producción del conocimiento, el cual transita en la triada mente-cultura sociedad. Utilizando la revisión documental, se asume que los seres humanos por naturaleza, disponen de múltiples procesos simbólicos de comunicación - incluyendo el lenguaje verbal hablado y escrito, el gestual y las imágenes-, a través de los cuales otorgan signos, sentidos, significados y símbolosa los fenómenos sociales. Al comunicarse y relacionarse intersubjetivamente producen ideas, interpretan y reinterpretan la realidad social y originan así las representaciones sociales. En el seno de las instituciones educativas, los investigadores deben estar prestos para escuchar atentamente el discurso de los actores sociales, y permitirles expresar su ser edificado en el transitar socio-histórico-cultural.

Descriptores: representaciones sociales, debate epistémico, ciencias sociales.

ENGLISH

EPISTEMIC DEBATE FROM SOCIAL REPRESENTATIONS TO SOCIAL CONFIGURATIONS

This essay is an attempt to overcome the traditional positivist approach through the debate of concepts like Objectivity, Anchorage, Subjectivity and Intersubjectivity. From an epistemological social construction view, these terms intend to establish the social representations for the production of knowledge, which moves in the realms of mind, culture and society. It is assumed that humans use multiple systems of communication, such as spoken and written language, as well as symbolic processes like gestures and images, through which social phenomena acquire meaning. When humans interact with intersubjectivity, ideas are produced, the social reality is interpreted and reinterpreted, and as a result, social representations are originated. Researchers and scholars must listen attentively to the citizens' discourse and allow them express their inner convictions acquired through history, society and culture.

Keywords: social representations, social sciences, social construction, intersubjectivity, epistemic debate

abstracts

E-learning as a tool for personnel capacitation.

Technology and innovations in the learning and formation field have allowed the employees be responsible for the capacitation by themselves and the knowledge they get can be update, increasing learning quality and multimedia technology use and internet. This is a documental study in a descriptive level. References were used in a precise way where aspects and characteristics more relevant about e-learning are defined, countenancing know the competitive need for introducing this tool in organizations to make personnel to get the aptitudes which are necessary for make easier the successful development in their tasks. This investigation allowed observe e-learning as a tool which facilitate instruction specialist for personnel in anytime and anywhere in the world. Besides, it reduces costs significantly. E-learning is a management support tool in the present and future.

Keywords: e-learning, capacitation, learning, formation.

By Yoel Mendoza

Teaching Biology through eLearning: an innovation Educative

Abstract

“ELearning” is a concept that has emerged successfully in education, understood as broadly of all forms of educational technology in learning and teaching. It is suited to distance learning and flexible learning, but it can also be used in conjunction with face-to-face teaching, known as blended learning.

This research considers eLearning with cooperative work. Its aim is to improve students’ achievement and to promote meaningful learning. It is sustained on Ausubel’s Meaningful Learning Theory, on Piaget’s concepts, and on Johnson and Johnson’s basic components of cooperative learning. 

The research is solved through the quantitative paradigm with some complementary elements of the qualitative approach, especially referring to achieved learning. Research methodology is a quasi-experiment that compares learning and academic achievement between an experimental and a control group. The subject-matter developed is a learning unit dealing with Genetic inheritance in courses delivered to undergraduate students. 

The research results declare that the teaching proposal is well received by the students. In addition, it allows to explore attitudinal and cognitive abilities that application of the proposal develops as well as to show the way towards innovative teaching methodologies should address in the future.

Keywords: eLearning, technology, blended learning, distance learning, flexible learning, educational technology, paradigm, cooperative work, innovative teaching.

Implications of E-learning systems and self-efficiency on students outcomes: a model approach

Abstract 

This paper presents a model approach to examine the relationships among e-learning systems, self-efficacy, and students' apparent learning results for university online courses. 

Independent variables included in this study are e-learning system quality, information quality, computer self-efficacy, system-use, self-regulated learning behavior and user satisfaction as prospective determinants of online learning results. An aggregate of 674 responses of students completing at least one online course from Wawasan Open University (WOU) Malaysia were used to fit the path analysis model. 

The results indicated that system quality, information quality, and computer self-efficacy all affected system use, user satisfaction, and self-managed learning behavior of students.

Proposed path analytical model suggests that hypothesized variables are useful to forecast e-learning results

Keywords:

E-learning systems; System quality; Information quality; User-satisfaction; Self-regulated learning behavior

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

Consecuencias de los sistemas de e-learning y auto-eficacia en los estudiantes los resultados: un enfoque de modelo

    En este trabajo se presenta un modelo para examinar las relaciones entre los sistemas de e-learning , la autoeficacia y los resultados de aprendizaje de los estudiantes aparentes para los cursos en línea de la universidad.Las variables independientes incluidas en este estudio son la calidad del e-learning del sistema , la calidad de la información, la autoeficacia computadora, sistema de uso , el comportamiento de la autorregulación del aprendizaje y la satisfacción del usuario como posibles factores determinantes de los resultados de aprendizaje en línea . Un total de 674 respuestas de los estudiantes que terminan al menos un curso en línea de Wawasan Universidad Abierta ( WOU ) Malasia fueron usados ​​para ajustar el modelo de análisis de la ruta .Los resultados indicaron que la calidad del sistema , la calidad de la información, y el ordenador autoeficacia todo el uso afectado del sistema, la satisfacción del usuario , y el comportamiento de aprendizaje autogestionada de los estudiantes .Modelo analítico ruta propuesta sugiere que las variables hipotéticas son útiles para pronosticar los resultados de aprendizaje electrónicoPalabras clave:Sistemas de e-learning ; calidad del sistema; calidad de la información; Usuario satisfacción ; comportamiento de aprendizaje autorregulado .

Jormar Heredia

Virtual Learning Environments | Entornos Virtuales de Aprendizaje

Virtual Learning Environments or VLE are learning platforms which provide virtual access to classes or courses. In a VLE you can find handouts, class content, videos, homework, tests, assessments, grades, gradebooks and external resources such as links and websites. A VLE is a place where students can virtually meet to discuss and interact with classmates and teachers in a synchronous and asynchronous way, promoting collaborative and cooperative learning. The most common free VLEs around are Moodle, Schoology and Edmodo.

http://www.gaia-tech.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/VLE.jpg

Los Entornos Virtuales de Aprendizaje o EVA son plataformas de aprendizaje las cuales proveen acceso virtual a clases y cursos. En un EVA se pueden encontrar guías, contenido de clase, videos, tareas, exámenes, evaluaciones, calificaciones, libros de calificaciones y recursos externos tales como enlaces y sitios web. Un EVA es un lugar donde los estudiantes se pueden encontrar virtualmente para debatir e interactuar con compañeros de clases y profesores de forma sincrónica y asincrónica, promoviendo el aprendizaje colaborativo y cooperativo. Los EVA más comunes y gratis son Moodle, Schoology y Edmodo.

SOFTWARE LIBRE

El Software Libre más que un sistema operativo es una filosofía para la liberación y soberanía tecnológica de nuestros pueblos; fue así, que el Estado Venezolano concibio el uso y aplicación del Software Libre como una oportunidad para avanzar, por ello fue desarrollado el Software Canaima Educativo, siendo  un aporte universal con sabor venezolano, que promueve la socialización del conocimiento, respetando las libertades y necesidades de nuestro país, al tiempo que aprovecho la experticia y creatividad de los docentes venezolanos.

 FREE SOFTWARE

The Free Software an operating system is a philosophy for the release and technological sovereignty of our peoples, so, that the Venezuelan government conceived the use and application of free software as an opportunity to advance, so we developed this Software Canaima Educativo, being a universal contribution to Venezuelan flavor, which promotes the socialization of knowledge, respecting freedoms and needs of our country, while I take the expertise and creativity of Venezuelan teachers.