I have included screenshots of elements that I consider are the best features of websites I use, or have used and that I know about them. There would be others available that I probably want to include if I knew about them. Also, because the technology is advancing so quickly, tomorrow there could be others that I find more useful and then these could be taken off my list.
I believe this list will definitely be different in the long term and I look forward to these with great excitement.
These first tools I use in blog.spot and feel they would work effectively within eBridge.
Slideshows http://www.slideshare.net gives visual support to learners and together text or audio information can support cognitve learning. Ruth Clark states. "To aid learning image(s) must be relevevant to the subject matter and not simply decorative, ." The New Virtual Classroom.
Functionality should allow digital elements, within the environment, and third parties websites to be include and exclude. This ensures that the learner has the opportunity to personalise the environment and collect everything at their fingertips that they feel they need. "A more seamless link for greater collaroration." http://www.jisc.ac.uk/whatwedo/programmes/elearningcapital/heinfe/spacefd.aspx
I prefer cool blue and green colours and thats probably why I prefer eBridge to Merlin. Others could prefer reds and browns. Flexibility is the key to personalised learning learning styles. Therefore the ability to change colours and fonts is an important option that should be included.
"Maybe useful to learners with disabilties such as Dyslexia." http://www.techdis.ac.uk/resources/sites/accessibilityessentials4/modules/user%20personalisation/background.html
The option to add and update a reference list would help when referencing assignments enabling learners to copy and paste the standard university format. I cannot understand why the referencing format is not supported more effectively, if it has to be so precise. Does it add anything useful to a learner's knowledge and understanding of the content? Quotes and pages numbers could also be included. This is Harvard Reference tool. http://www.neilstoolbox.com/bibliography-creator/index.htm Could the university provide one to suit ours?
Live e-learning with synchronised real time sessions will, I believe, be used much more in the future. Instant messaging, sharing applications, and breakout rooms where students can collaborate online, all aid learning. It is important for E-Moderators using this facility to monitor these activities, preventing over enthusiastic learners from dominating the breakout room that could become a barrier for other learners.
http://www.elluminate.com/index.jsp
This Wetpaint functionality offers users access to third party digital elements to use within the Wetpaint site itself. The University should allow third party websites access into their "locked in" domain. http://www.jisc.ac.uk/whatwedo/programmes/buildmlehefe/lifelonglearning/mlebriefingpack/3.aspx
Ability to access the University Library http://www.hull.ac.uk/lib/index.html and other acaedemic websites inside the eBridge environment would be extrememly useful for learners. It may also speed up access to the correct type of literature. Easy access to acaedemic standard information could help prevent learners from obtaining content from the first page of google or wikipedia. Providing teachers with a variety of content and ideas to mark.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/home
Facebook provides a small and light functionality for online chat and notifications. Enabling learners to access online friends whilst still working on other pages. I think this aspect of chatting whilst working could help learners to feel less lonely whilst online. It could also provide stimulus by collaborating together for another opportunity for learning to take place .
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