Eleftheria Tomadaki

Videoconferencing in Open Learning

This paper discusses the use of videoconferencing as a tool to enhance collaboration amongst online learners in an open learning context. We present quantitative data from a longitudinal study of naturalistic videoconferencing interactions held via the FM videoconference tool, indicating its global use. The case study presented is analysed according to an instructional framework for collaborative learning in computer-supported learning environments applied on an open learning environment, indicating how videoconferencing can indeed encourage collaborative group work in the study of open content. A variety of communities have used the tool worldwide to connect with colleagues or co-learners in moderated or peer-to-peer events. As only a few of them related their meetings with open educational resources provided in the environment, we wish to give some insights into how further integration of the tool in the environment may increase its use in combination with the material provided. Editors: Stephen Godwin (Open University, UK). Reviewers: Markus Deimann (FernUniversitat, Germany) and Stephen Godwin (Open University, UK).

Towards the Combined Use of Metadata to Improve the Learning Experience

Today, users do not only access learning resources stored in traditional repositories. They use any kind of digital resource, often generated in the context of social media platforms. When trying to improve the learning experience, it is crucial that all resources that are potentially useful are accessible; and that the resources are described in a way that allows to identify what is relevant. We suggest enriching learning resource descriptions by combining metadata generated by experts, user interactions, observation components and machine-generated metadata. We give a brief example of the compilation of rich metadata sets by integrating the social media platform ALOE with resources and metadata from the Ariadne knowledge pool and public FlashMeeting replays.