Bangkok--Mar 14--PC & Associates Consulting
NUS STUDENTS EMBRACE MOBILE LEARNING INITIATIVE
Faculty’s supplementary online lecture content gets the thumbs up as learning shifts to virtual environments
A recent survey conducted by the National University of Singapore (NUS) has shown 70% of students are accessing new syllabus materials and presentations from home to revise for examinations or attend preliminary lectures, among other uses.
The survey was conducted to gain feedback on a new initiative to make teaching and learning content available beyond the borders of the campus. Students are able to access the learning materials virtually anywhere, including on laptops via wireless networks.
Previously e-learning was restricted to students with high bandwidth, as the quality of a webcast would suffer via dial-up modem. Also the file size of some course material had meant lengthy downloads at the students’ expense.
NUS implemented a new technology to increase student accessibility of the e-learning presentations. The selected tool, Breeze from Macromedia, uses compression techniques to allow almost instant access straight off the server. This method allows lecturers to add compelling graphics and narration to their presentation material and add impact to the learning experience, without affecting accessibility.
The feedback has been very positive with almost 80% of the 200 students surveyed wanting more lecturers to use e-learning to supplement their lectures, especially for the more technical modules such as Physics, Chemical Engineering Principles and Programming Methodology.
The students found the e-learning presentations useful as they can access them in their own time, from home or wherever there is a wireless access point. The content on the e-learning presentations is fluid, and students are able to rewind and repeat parts of the presentation they did not understand the first time.
Far from seeing the presentations as replacing their lecturers, NUS sees them as an enhancement and a way to better manage precious student-teacher interaction during class time.
“We foresee the e-learning presentations having huge benefits for students,” said Mr Ravi Chandran, Director, Centre for Instructional Technology, National University of Singapore. “For example, if the simple introduction level of a module can be taught outside of the classroom before the course begins, lecturers’ class time can be used more effectively for more in-depth teaching of concepts and theories.”
The initiative also eliminates unnecessary journeys to NUS’ campus meaning students are able to benefit greater from personal study time.
Notes to editors:
The National University of Singapore (NUS) is Singapore’s first centre of higher education with over 30,000 students.
NUS has an enterprise learning management system called IVLE (Integrated Virtual Learning Environment), which provides a platform for the academic staff to manage assessments, host virtual environments for student interaction and encourage free flow of information across the campus and beyond.
Macromedia Breeze allows you to enhance your PowerPoint presentations by adding multimedia objects to slides such as audio narration and animation. The software has a low learning curve as it is integrated into Microsoft PowerPoint.
There are currently 160 - 200 Wireless Surf Zones in Singapore. (source: www.singtel.com)
For full survey visit: http://courseware.nus.edu.sg/services/Breeze/survey/survey.asp#q7
For more information on NUS usage of Breeze visit: http://www.cit.nus.edu.sg/services/breeze.htm
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