Three UNITE e-learning scenarios implemented in Lithuania

Teachers of Kaunas University of Technology Gymnasium (KTUG) prepared and implemented in 2007 year the following scenarios:

• “Logarithmic Inequalities” (Mathematics subject, teachers Bronislovas Burgis and Natalija Sinycina)
• “IT in Education” (Informatics subject , teacher Rimas Abromavicius)
• “Climbing Career Ladder” (English language subject, teacher Vitalija Pauraziene and Jurate Nakrosiene).
  

The eLearning scenario “Logarithmic Inequalities” can be implemented online without the pupils’ meeting their teacher physically, or each other – using the PDAs, UNITE platform and other tools. The teacher creates the UNITE workspace and loads theory, examples, and explains the theme to pupils. He/she shows where to find and download the theory and points out the exercises, gives a homework, etc. Next time the pupils using PDAs solve exercises hosted in the UNITE platform. The teacher pays attention to everybody’s individual skills and gives personal exercises. When the teacher uploads answers on the UNITE workspace, then he/she evaluates the answers providing marks. Figure 1 presents a creative way of the use of mobile devices in teaching Mathematics. Here students solve the task by posting answers to each zone of MediaBoard that represents the different mathematical functions (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. A creative way of the use the mobile devices in Mathematics teaching.

The scenario “IT in Education” can be entirely carried out online, with the use of the UNITE platform and other tools. The teacher announces the assignment (development of a multimedia presentation with specific features) and points the pupils to relevant resources, from which they can learn everything they need to in order to successfully complete the task. Pupils work in groups, within a timeframe, using several software tools. Each group’s members collaborate (they have a private workspace in UNITE for this purpose) and work towards a common goal.

Resources regarding teamwork are also supplied. The teacher is informed at given points of the assignment about the groups’ progress. The completed work is later uploaded on the class’s workspace on UNITE. Figure 2 represents an implementation of the course scenario in the UNITE platform.

Figure 2. Course Viewer of the Workspace “IT in Education” in the UNITE platform.

The objective of the scenario “Climbing Career Ladder” is to improve pupils’ English language communicative skills (speaking, listening, writing, and reading) related to a specific topic. During the meetings with teacher(s) pupils receive the information about the course objectives, individual and group tasks which later be presented on the UNITE platform. The tasks are fully integrated within the foreign language course curriculum. Pupils are also instructed how to collect the necessary information and upload the answers on the workspace on the UNITE platform. The latter is also used to present the final evaluation. The expected learning outcome is that pupils extend their vocabulary related to the work, work place, business, profession, and money, improve listening comprehension, reading, and writing skills. In addition, mLearning will encourage pupils’ individual work skills and their ability to work as a part of team. The eLearning (mLearning) scenario takes place in three locations as follows: 1) in classroom, 2) at home/computer laboratory and 3) outside the classroom.