Dimitris Elefsiniotis

Designing and Implementing a Virtual Classroom Training (VCT) Instructor-led Course

VocTEL Conference 2015

Dimitris Elefsiniotis, Master Network EngineerIntracom Telecom, Professional Services Department

Master of Engineering (M.Eng.), Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Dimokrition University of Thrace

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A), Industrialization and Development, Liverpool Hope University

Certified trainer (36190) for O.A.E.D-LAEK training programs regarding various networking technologies. I have performed a significant number of official and company internal training technical seminars.

Cisco Certifications CCNA, CCDA, CCIP, RSSSE, Cisco ID# (CSCO) - CSCO10904983

Juniper Certifications JNCIA-EX, JNCIA-ER, JNCIS-E, JNCIS-SP, JNCIS-ENT, JNCIP-SP, Juniper Certification ID#: JPR91610

Tellabs 8600 Professional Services Certifications HP Certifications More info about me can be found in the following link: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/dimitris-elefsiniotis/5/367/773

Who Am I

My own definition about TEL according to my experience throughout this year mainly as a learner and as a tutor:

“TEL is differentiated from commonly used content-based and machine-driven e-learning, as it consists of an

interactive blended learning environment where a number of different activities (activity-based) and interactions

take place among students, module content and tutors, and cognitive (computer-based) tools engage learning with

technology (as opposed to learning through technology)”

Reflect on my Experience in TEL Course

“Online instructors need to be intentional about creating a sense of

presence in their courses so that students know from the very

beginning that somebody is leading their educational experience”

Social Presence Theory

Course Title: Networking Fundamentals

Duration and Class Size: The length of the course is 5 days; and a total of 20 hours (4 hours/day). It will be implemented during the afternoons, Monday to Friday, 18:00 to 22.00

Target Audience: Network Engineers and Technicians

Prerequisites: Network engineers with a basic knowledge of networking protocols and basic understanding of different OS (Microsoft Windows, Linux).

Web-Based Course Outline

Training Program Phases and Activities (1)

❖ Pre-course Performing a Training Need Analysis (TNA) with the facilitation of a web

survey they have to submit along with the “why are you interested” note. Online survey will be created by using the webpage http://freeonlinesurveys.com/

Via utilizing Socrative highly interactive online tool, create for potential learners an online networking knowledge identification pre-test. Socrative offers simplicity, fun, entertainment, and multiple types of assessment questions.

Perform an audio-visual conference (SAC) utilizing the WizIQ SaaS-based online education platform embedded functionality, in order to break the ice between participants, offer them the chance to present themselves to the tutor and the rest of the group, and start communicating early enough.

Tutor will contact the students who will enroll to the program via email, and a personal blog with relative to the course activities and posts establishing an asynchronous channel of communication.

Training Program Phases and Activities (2)

Training Program Phases and Activities (3)

Training Program Phases and Activities (4)

❖ Virtual Class Training (VCT) Seminar will be web-based, facilitating distance learning

via the utilization of WizIQ SaaS-based online education platform, connecting educators and learners, from different places all around the world.

Virtual-labs will be created with the use of GNS3 free software. Learners will be separated in groups of two and utilize student breakout rooms for real-time communication and collaboration while executing the practical exercises.

Throughout training break-out sessions with numerous quizzes will be offered via Socrative.

Training Program Phases and Activities (5)

❖ After-course Communicate to learners a training evaluation survey and

get their feedback about various aspects of the whole training experience. http://freeonlinesurveys.com/s/4k06bburmgip2oi647025

In order to objectively evaluate the success of a program, and measure its overall Return On Investment (ROI) for learners the key element is Time/Distance. Hence, instructors need to leave time for participants to sentimentally disengage from the training. Only then will they be able to identify the right criteria for its successful measurement. Knowledge evaluation assessment (based on the

ION's Quality Online Course Initiative) Personal interview with participants

Technology Tools – The Blog of the Instructor (1)❖ Educational Blogging via the communication of various

aspects of the training activities e.g the GNS3 know-howhttps://delefsi.wordpress.com/2015/02/09/a-short-video-about-graphical-network-simulator/

Wordpress (Content Management Software) has been utilized which holds the 6th position in the top 100 tools for learning in 2014 (Jane Heart’s list)

Design Versatility Simplicity Extension of functionality with various plugins e.g event

calendar, twitter feed, video gallery, RSS/email subscriptions Low cost or no cost Accessed from anywhere, anytime, be the cornerstone of

asynchronous e-learning Constructivist Pedagogy

Technology Tools – The Blog of the Instructor (2)

Keep the blog posts for the training programme private enforcing confidentiality between participants

All learners will be invited by navigating to the proper section and completing the form for each one. They‘ll all receive an email instructing them to click a button and accept the invitation. Once they accept their invitations, they’ll acquire online access to instructor’s communication space, Dimitris Elefsiniotis Blog

Technology Tools – The Blog of the Instructor (3)

Technology Tools – The WizIQ Platform (1)

❖ Free of charge or low cost offered SaaS-based online education platform (hosted)

❖ SAC and text chatting, interactive blackboard, presentation and documents sharing, embedded media e.g video

❖ Breakout rooms, screen sharing, online tests and assessments, attendance report, polling, live class recording, multilingual interface

❖ Ease and convenience ❖ Best virtual classroom award for 3rd year in a

row (2012, 2013, 2014)

Technology Tools – The WizIQ Platform (2)

Technology Tools – The WizIQ Platform (3)

Conole’s Octahedron Model Representation

6 key learning characteristics/components

Social Constuctivism is the pedagogical/andragogical model

Social Situated Learning theory Experiential theory Systems theory Connectivist theory

Conole’s Implementation of Learning ComponentsIndividual - Individual is the focus of learning should the learner read all the provided material and tries to understand its concepts in order to collaborate. Gathering of other resources for sharing.

Social - Learning is explained through interaction with others, through discourse and collaboration, via online asynchronous and synchronous means of communication e.g instructor blog and WizIQ collaborative social online space

Reflection - Where conscious reflection on experience is the basis by which experience is transformed into learning. This is accomplished with execution of virtual labs, trial and error situation, commenting on blog posts, posting opinions and queries on instructor blog, and constantly transforming them.

Non-Reflection - Learning is explained with reference to processes and skills learning e.g installation GNS3, reading of tutorials to understand its basic functions for how to utilize it while the actual training will take place.

Information – Various information will be provided, from training presentations, to guides for software utilization. These sources of information formulate the basis of consequent experience and the raw material for learning.

Experience - Where learning arises through direct experience, activity, and practical application with the utilization of GNS3 software.

Anderson’s Interaction-based Model

Student-Teacher (interpersonal form of interaction) Student-Student (interpersonal form of interaction) Student-Content

Forms of Interactive Learning

Structured Learning Resources Paced Collaborative Learning Community of Inquiry

The Socratic Method and the Communication Era

thank you