Online Learning Environments

Where do you start and what else can you do?

Choosing an Online Learning Environment

C2C

This tool is practice and researched informed and is currently being developed by EC's Solutions Development Group (SDG) for use in conjunction with Blackboard and soon within the OISEcms for research and administrative knowledge communities.

Based on peer-to-peer online collaboration
BEST for learning through online discussion or if your course is at a distance.
accessible via web browser

any email is possible, but is not an email repository
three permission levels available - instructor, student and observer.
administrative control (e.g. entering participants) by instructor
Accounts for non-OISE or UofT visitors easily handled.
very simple user-interface
uses one layer of conferencing (no nesting) for discussions and resources.
allows for linking of notes and ideas BETWEEN conferences.
threading of discussion in same window
resources stored in one area - requires re-upload with each new curse, no transferable content storage system.
extra features
can use HTML and customize message
small learning curve for both instructors and students
Contact CCP if you are interested in using this tool for your fall course.

Blackboard

BASED ON managing institutional information and resources
BEST FOR: resource-oriented courses
excellent for large group (100+) management of resources, grades...
UofT's official LMS.
linked to ROSI and other UofT services and information
accessible via browser
UofT email is required
requires UTORID login
a course shell is automatically created if the course is official
administrative control by instructor, participants are automatically entered if registered in the course.
conferencing (discussion board is linear, difficult to connect ideas across forums)
threading views hidden but possible
excellent for resource posting and adding web-based information
has content storage system and courses can be transfered (copied) for another rendition of a course.
offers extra features such as portfolios, grading, assignment uploads
small learning curve for students
medium learning curve for instructors (administration and setup) depending on complexity of features used

Setting Up a Course

Setting up a course in C2C?

Contact the Client Care Portal and let us know you'd like to use C2C.

Setting up a course using Blackboard?

Courses are automatically setup. Consult the Blackboard Junction for futher information.
Checklist for online teaching.
Contact us for some consulting.
Integrate with other technologies. You may incorporate other technologies into your Blackboard course (like C2C or other emerging technologies)

WebKF4 (KF4) - No Longer Supported

KF Version 4:
KF4 Support Manual | Short Manual | Reference Card

We regret that we are unable to provide KF4 as a teaching and learning system after September 2009. Please contact us for questions and support.

Similarly to version 2, Knowledge Forum 4 is totally web-based. The ability to connect and link ideas through asynchronous discussions is still part of its prime directive, however new features that support Knowledge Building* pedagogies have been added, such as, Scaffolds, Rise Above's, References, Keywords and Problem Identifications. See IKIT Resources and Collective Cognitive Responsibility for the Advancement of Knowledge (Scardamalia, 2002) for more information on this learning model.

Although the user interface is dramatically different, its updates allow for student self-registration, nested views and various levels of permissions. For instructors who are interested, we suggest a quick tour and demonstration by an EC staff member to aid with course setup. Students are guided by the curriculum setup and should find no real difficulties.

KF4 can be used as a stand alone, but has recently been integrated with the Blackboard Learning Management System, which allows the instructor to take advantage of various UofT administrative features offered through Blackboard, including ROSI. The combination offers more variety for resource-based assignments and resources, but greatly improves the ability for collaborative discourse enhancing deeper learning online.

If you are interested in using KF4 for research, please contact IKIT.