1.2 – Web Based Applications
What is meant by web-based application?
Web base applications incorporate all applications that can be used, distributed and added too through the technologies that are used over the web (internet).
What is Web2.0?
Web 2.0 is not a new technology, but rather the way in which the web (internet) is being used. It’s about the web being used as a social and collaborative tool.
What is its relevance to learning?
Web base applications have enormous benefits for learning. Allowing the learner greater flexibility, interaction in a collaborative and social way and allowing many people to take place in learning that would not normally be able to do so in a traditional environment.
List web-based applications you are familiar with:
- Chat
- Podcasting
List web-based applications you would like to explore further:
- RSS & aggregation
- Social Networking
- e-Portfolios
- Weblogs
- Wikis
- Web conferencing
- Virtual worlds
In your work context: What experience have you had with e-Learning?
I have not had a lot to do with e-learning except that I use the web to research information that I wish to find out. My current course at UTS was researched through the web.
A few years ago I completed a Brokers License through the Real Estate Institute of NSW, which was completely web based. The learning was completely enclosed, including progressive tests through the modules. I found the experience much better than the classroom as I could proceed at my out pace in my own time.
The only aspect that was missing was discussion on the subject matter, which would have greatly enhanced the experience.
Describe the methods of delivery you have experienced?
The only mode of delivery experience that I have had, was the Brokers License course outlined above, which was a complete interactive enclosed module completed over the web.
How do these relate to the definitions and practices of e-Learning outlined in the earlier readings?
The mode of delivery outlined above in the early stages of e-learning, ones that incorporate the flexibility and interaction, but misses the social interactions. The social and collaborative learning is the next generation of e-learning.
What is RSS?
Really Simple Syndication
How does it work?
Before RSS you would surf the web to your favorite news and blogs and get the updated information. With RSS you set up a single place (web site) to have all the news and blogs come to you, providing the information allows and/or has RSS ability.
How can RSS be used in this subject?
RSS in this subject and all UTS subjects would be extremely useful. RSS could be integrated into the UTS online site allowing all new posts and information to come to the learner instead of continually logging into the site to find nothing more has been updated.
Because this subject, e-learning design, has so much on line content, both in information and classroom interaction, I have spent an enormous amount of time to logging into UTS online to see new post, only to find nothing more has been added.
We can use RSS type of concept with the wiki project, by having am email sent to us when the site has been updated by our group. While not RSS it works in a similar way.
What is aggregation of information referring to?
Aggregation is the collection of information from over the web and delivering it to a single place.
How does it work?
Aggregation is a web application which collects information from web content and deliveries it into your aggregation program.
How could aggregation be used in this subject?
Within this subject we are using wiki, blogs, UTS online and emails to communicate and collaborate with each other, review and learn content. An aggregation program could be used to collect this information and deliver it to one place
List self-publishing applications you are familiar with:
- blogger.com
- wordpress.com
- edublogs.org
- facebook.com
- myspace.com
Consider your use of self-publishing in e-Learning Experiences. What impact did this have on your learning?
I have not done the subject e-Learning Experiences, however, from my insight into this subject. e-Learning Design, I have been able to learn far more about the subject and technologies available through being able to read other peoples blogs.
Can you identify examples where you have used social sharing in a learning context?
As that I have not done e-learning experiences and prior to this subject of e-learning design did not even know what social sharing was, make this question a little difficult. However, we have all been social sharing through:
- UTS Online
- Blogs (edublogs.org)
- Wiki’s (wikispaces.com)
- Delicious.com
What impact can this have on your learning?
In any classroom situation there is “social sharing” that takes place. Blogs, wiki’s and delicious allows this social sharing to take place over the web. Social sharing is a power tool for e-learning.
