Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL)

1. Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) One of the goals in the WP2 was to get experiences of CSCL by piloting short courses. Two Finnish Clubhouses (Suvimäki and Karhula) offered an English for beginners -course each. The course in Suvimäki consisted of 13 group meetings during the period of February to June 2009. The course in Karhula consisted of 6 group meetings. There were 17 students altogether The teachers were Clubhouse members

2. CSCL is a method for bringing the benefits of collaborative learning and cooperative learning to users of distance or co-locative learning via networked computers, such as the courses offered via the Internet or in a digital classroom. The purpose of CSCL is to support students in learning together effectively. CSCL supports the communication of ideas and information among learners, collaborative accessing of information and documents, and instructor and peer feedback on learning activities. CSCL also supports and facilitates group processes and group dynamics. • In Suvimäki we had four computers located near to each other, and mostly two students cooperated in learning via a computer. Only few members could study also at home, because not so many members have an own computer. • We used a course created in the learning environment “MOODLE”

3. 1. Standard English 1.1.  Telling about oneself and one’s studies in English 1.2.  Telling about Finland, Americans & Great Britain 1.3. Numbers, alphabets and articles 1.4.) Present time (Present tense) 1.5.  Questions 1.6. Telling about the past time (imperfect tense) 1.7. Prepositions 1.8. Examination of standard English 2. Technical terminology (do only the tasks of your own occupational branch) 2.1.  Vehicle technology 2.2.  Machinery and metalwork 2.3.  Construction 2.4.  Electrical engineering 2.5.  Arts, crafts and design 2.6.  Tourism, catering and home economics 2.7.  Forestry 2.8.  Hairdressing and beauty care 2.9.  Business and administration 2.10. Health services 2.11. Presentation of your own occupational branch 2.12. Student’s feedback of the course Englishcourse in Suvimäki https://www.mmg.fi/electprojekti

4. WHY DO WE FIND THIS KIND OF E-LEARNING COURSE SUITABLE FOR THE CLUBHOUSE? • ”It improves both English and computer skills at the same time • Learning in the small group gives the teacher the opportunity to help everybody personally • You can learn in a very familiar surrounding, in your own Clubhouse • It is easy for everyone to come and just start learning at your own pace even you learn with the group at the same time, because the teacher is giving you information • You can work with the material also learn at home, if you have an own computer there

5. The material in online course can be very versatile (it included the grammar, listening, reading and writing exercises in many forms), and you can learn with many senses at the same time • You can share your knowledge with your peer and you can benefit from the peer support • Online course has given new motivation to learn and has shown the members participating in the course that they can learn and it is fun” Creates a more positive attitude about learning • It prepares young students for upper grades and the technology tools they will be encountering there

6. Develops higher level, critical-thinking skills thanks to use of problem-solving approaches • Establishes a sense of learning community • Promotes innovation in teaching and classroom techniques • Develops oral and written communication and social interaction skills • Encourages student responsibility for learning • Increases student motivation • Share ideas • Enhances self management skills • (Some specific benefits of the utilization of web-based applications for collaborative learning include; • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_Supported_Collaborative_Learning#About_CSCL)

7. The results of the interviews made in WP2 to the question: What is typical for situations where you learn best? • Learning by doing, practice • Friendly atmosphere • Work alone, possibility to ask • Calm and quiet, not too many people around • Listening and discuss • By learning others

8. WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS OR CHALLENGES IN USING THIS KIND OF E-LEARNING? • To find in our Clubhouse coalition the server to host the Moodle for us. Or to find money for paying the web-master who uploads, customises and maintains Moodle for us. • To find teachers, because teaching on-line courses requires many kind of skills • To pay for existing learning material and/or • To learn to construct learning courses by ourselves (OK-opintokeskus?)

9. MOODLE shortly Moodle is an Open Source Course Management System (CMS), also known as a Learning Management System (LMS) or a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It has become very popular among educators around the world as a tool for creating online dynamic web sites for their students. To work, it needs to be installed on a web server somewhere, either on one of your own computers or one at a web hosting company. http://www.slideshare.net/moodlefan/what-is-moodle-explained-with-lego-presentation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvCIv5KCbeE&feature=related

10. MOODLE TOOLS / MODULES FOR TEACHING: Assignments Chats Choices Feedback Forum Database Glossary Lesson Questionnaire Quiz Wiki

11. We can store Files, Links, Webpage, Foldes, Database, Portfolio, Labers, LMS Package We van communicate through Chatrooms, Forums, Messaging, Calendar, RSS, Dialogue We can collaborate through Blog, Wiki, Glossary, Social network, Database, Lesson, Forum, Workshop We can evaluate Grade, Quiz, Choice, Scales, Gradebook, Ratings, Survey, Assignment

12. APPLICATION of the ELECT Project: ”The ELECT Project will create and implement also a ”Collaborative Computing Strategy” to create an internet-based European intranet and extranet systems for Supported Education for people with mental health problems.” ”The use of so called open source and free ware technology is a democratic way of co-operation because it does not require large financial inputs. “

13. For what could Moodle be useful? • As a platform for learning courses • As a forum for discussions and for sharing experiences, materials, ideas, information • As a forum for spreading good practices ( quality improvement) • As a platform for communication of a future project or a group work • As a platform for planning and developing group reports, applications, statements...