DIGI Energy -Unit 2

. [Virtual Presenter] Good morning/afternoon everyone. Today we'll be discussing the important topic of using Learning Management Systems as an online learning environment for VET staff and students and the European Commission's financial support for the project. In this presentation, I'll be going over the advantages and disadvantages of using this technology in the VET setting, as well as the potential financial opportunities. Let's begin..

. [Virtual Presenter] Exploring the different types of online learning environments available, we will analyze the various Learning Management Systems on the market and learn how to incorporate them into an online learning environment. Additionally, we will explore the advantages of using open access platforms and the support provided by institutions..

. [Virtual Presenter] Discussing Learning Management Systems (LMS), also referred to as closed systems or virtual learning environments, these are centralized, closed systems secured behind authentication and can only be accessed by VET staff and students. In some cases, training institutes may pay a licensing fee to use them. Integrating a range of technologies, such as discussion forums, information storage, blogs, wikis and assignment submission, as well as grading and administration tools, these systems are beneficial for modern online learning. Examples of some popular Closed systems or Virtual Learning Environments are Blackboard and Moodle..

[Audio] This presentation focuses on open access and institutional-supported Learning Management Systems, which offer a wealth of advantages such as password authentication that is restricted to VET staff and students, tracking of assignments and statistical analysis of participation, as well as the ability to synchronise marks and grades with other VET administration systems. VET copyright privileges mean educational materials can be used within the authenticated VET environment, while outside material must adhere to general public copyright and Creative Commons requirements. Most VETs will also provide technical support and training to staff. All of these benefits make Learning Management Systems a valuable asset for higher education..

[Audio] Focusing on the key restrictions of Learning Management Systems, or LMSs, in higher education, training staff to use an LMS can be complicated and time consuming. External guests, such as lecturers, experts, and researchers, need to complete administrative steps to access the system. Teachers may prefer to be autonomous with the course content and not use a prescribed one. Additionally, many LMSs come with a licensing fee and usually require support staff to customize and integrate them into the VET’s administration systems. All of these points should be taken into account when selecting an LMS for a higher education setting..

[Audio] When considering an open access or institutional supported Learning Management System, key factors should be taken into account. These could include not being able to automatically populate a learning environment with students from VET enrolment systems, to potential hidden costs such as extended staff time, limited features or data storage. Additionally, VETs may not provide technical support in open access environments, leaving teachers to manage privacy settings and access. Copyright privileges must also be considered, ensuring VET use is only for educational purposes..

[Audio] Given the nature of Open Access social media, VET content and collaboration can be easily disseminated. Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Wikispaces, Flickr, and WordPress are great examples, with both free and paid versions available. These provide easy access to VET content and its respective communities, allowing for more effective communication and collaboration than ever before..

OAM Benefits. Logo, icon Description automatically generated.

OAM Downsides. -not integrated into institutional administration systems. This means that the trainer usually must manage giving students access manually and manage or submit grades separately. -Teachers or students can become overloaded with having to remember different websites and different passwords, if too many open technologies are used. - There is no guarantee that open technology platform may be in business in the future. The institution does not have access to the data in case something happens to the trainer. -Service providers may also terminate accounts, change the terms of service or in the mid functionality that could result in the loss of data. -An institution may not offer technical support for the open technologies..

[Audio] When considering the use of Open Access and Institutional Supported Learning Management Systems, there are a number of key issues to consider, such as not being integrated into existing VET administration systems, the record of students' interaction and communication being recorded on a system external to the VET, potential hidden costs, limited on-site technical support and the need for teachers to be responsible for privacy settings and access. It is crucial to understand these issues in order to ensure the best experience possible is achieved for VET students and staff..

[Audio] I'd like to talk about how to use Google Sites to build online portfolios. Google Sites is a great tool for digital portfolio creation, providing a variety of features and functionalities that make displaying, sharing, and updating portfolios simple. It also presents students with the opportunity to be creative, showcase their projects and learning in an interactive and engaging way, and work autonomously on their portfolios. Taking advantage of this platform can help students keep track of their progress, demonstrate their expertise, and make their projects visible online..

[Audio] We will begin by creating a new site in Google Sites, using one of the many templates to customize the look and feel. Then, we'll add our own content to the site, such as text, images, videos, and links, so we can showcase our work and learning. Finally, we will have a Google Sites Portfolio setup..

[Audio] Members of the class, for this UNIT 2 presentation, let's have a look at designing an effective portfolio. Creating a portfolio requires a clear and concise design process and learning assessment, as well as opportunities for collaboration and feedback from peers. We need to start with a title page that introduces the portfolio, giving an overview of its purpose and content. We need to include an action plan that outlines the steps of the design process, in a table format. For idea generation, we can use mind mapping, brainstorming, and other creative techniques. Story-boarding and concept boards can then help further develop and refine those ideas. We need to create prototypes or mock-ups of the final design. These prototypes should be tested and refined based on feedback and user testing. Finally, the portfolio should include the final product or solution, along with a reflection on the design process, what was learned, and what could be improved in future designs. Any questions?.

[Audio] Taking a deeper dive into portfolio design, we will examine the best practices for constructing portfolios using Institutional Supported Learning Management Systems. We'll cover the pros and cons of utilizing these systems, as well as how to maximize their value. Additionally, we'll assess how to determine the right system for our own or our school's requirements. Lastly, we'll look at various ways of conceiving and exhibiting portfolios, including digital, online and paper portfolios..

[Audio] We need to remain informed on the latest technological advancements to ensure our students and our teaching are at their best. In this unit, we have seen the potential of both open access platforms and institutional-supported ones, along with their respective advantages. Additionally, we have gone over the considerations to be taken into account when deciding which is the best fit for a given situation. Ultimately, it is the teacher's choice to make..

[Audio] Discussing the top 8 benefits of using learning management systems and several literature references, it has been noted that using them can save time and help in innovating practices. Multidisciplinary studies have shown that using social media as a tool for learning can be beneficial. Additionally, using Twitter and Twitter Chats can also be used as educational tools. With the information and practical implications presented in the presentation, it can be applied to foster knowledge transfer and further develop best practices. Thank you for your attention..