Special Talks

"Blended Synchronous Learning Model" by Professor Nian-Shing Chen, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan

Abstract

Although traditional classroom based face to face (F2F) teaching has been adopted as a mainstream teaching mode for a long time, there are various limitations of traditional classroom teaching, such as inflexibility in classroom setup and location, difficulties in resource sharing, no archiving of teaching and learning portfolios, and so on. Cyber synchronous classroom FIFE teaching provides an alternative to solve these problems but it also has some limitations, such as difficulties in cultivating classroom atmosphere, less social immersion context, etc. It would therefore be logical to integrate Physical F2F and Cyber F2F into a blended learning environment to leverage their mutual benefits. With the emerging use of mobile technology in society, it is now also possible to engage learners in learning process in wide variety of scenarios. This talk will present a blended synchronous learning model and extend it to ubiquitous learning by exploiting mobile technology. Multiple media input based problem solving in authentic context and ad-hoc synchronous small group discussions will be described as examples of how mobile technology can truly enhance the blended synchronous learning.

Bio

Dr. Chen is Professor of the Department of Information Management, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan; he is now an academic visiting scholar in the School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies, the University of Queensland, Australia. Dr. Chen received his Bachelor and Master Degree in Industrial Engineering in 1984 and 1986 respectively and his Ph.D. Degree in Computer Science in 1990 from the National Tsing-Hua University, Taiwan.

Professor Chen is very keen to promote information technology for education; he has devoted himself to designing a very popular LMS (Learning Management System) since1995. He also has supported professional development in colleges and K12 schools adopting e-Learning for teaching and learning. Outcomes of this work include: NSYSU Cyber University (http://cu.nsysu.edu.tw), AJET Digital School (http://ajet.nsysu.edu.tw), K12 digital school (http://ds.k12.edu.tw) and 3C - Collaborative Cyber Community (http://ccc.k12.edu.tw). Prof. Nian-Shing Chen is an internationally well-known expert in the area of e-Learning, with particular expertise in synchronous learning technologies and best practices of online synchronous teaching & learniing.

He has published over 200 papers in academic journals and conferences. He is also the author of three books with one text book entitled “e-Learning Theory & Proactice”. His current research interests include assessing e-Learning course performance; online synchronous teaching; e-Learning standards; mobile learning; knowledge management and information system development methodology. Dr. Chen is a member of IEEE, ACM and an executive member of IEEE Technical Committee on Learning Technology (http://lttf.ieee.org/contacts.htm). He is an associate editor for SSCI indexed Educational Technology & Society journal.

Abstract

Web Based Research Networks (WBRNs) provide advantages of anytime anyplace participation by traditional researchers and their informants whilst potentially harnessing rich contributions from the wider public. Web Based Learning Communities (WBLCs) similarly bring together dispersed individuals by means of suitable technology to develop their vocational and/or academic understanding collaboratively. This Special Issue of The International Journal of Web Based Communities (IJWBC) welcomes well-researched contributions building upon the current literature of successful, failing and adaptive WBRNs and WBLCs. The aim of the special issue is to identify not so much the technology, but the pedagogies, management models and modus operandi which have demonstrable potential to enhance the future of such communities. The Guest Editor, iPED (Inquiring Pedagogies), is an education research network whose experiences as an emergent web-based community are well-documented. Peer-led, iPED aspires to overcome the barriers between researchers of discipline, economic and hierarchic status, culture and geography. Since its inception in 2005, iPED has benefited from the participation of several hundred academic colleagues of many nationalities in such roles as contributor, peer-reviewer, event delegate and guide. The IJWBC-iPED editorial experience will itself provide a case-study in WBRN activity in the evolving global research context.

Bio

Virginia is the Pedagogical Research Fellow in Scenario-based Learning and Realistic Work Environments.

Building on a successful career in commercial IT, she joined Coventry University as a lecturer at 1989. Her teaching and research have focused on using technology to enhance the currency, relevance and accessibility of educational provision. She is keen to work with colleagues of all disciplines with interests in work related learning.

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