Let’s start up where we left off last week. Basically, we ended at the point that if a learning management system wasn’t using some social networking tools, online students would be isolated islands of information, unable to question, demonstrate, paraphrase, articulate on generally share information and promote understanding for either themselves or their fellow students.
Now let’s take a look at learning from the perspective of someone using TOPYX.
Similar to LMSs a student can go through course content, take quizzes and submit assignments. However unlike most LMSs, social networking is an embedded part of the platform. The institution can choose which of the various community tools and social networking tools and products are enabled for their site.
These community tools consist of many elements such as blogs, forums and collaborative whiteboards. All of these are part of the platform,
As well however, commonly used social networking tools such as Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, even GotoMeeting or Skype can also be enabled. If the institution enables these, a student can enter their associated identification information directly into their TOPYX student profile. If they are disabled, they do not show up within the profile.
When students are in a TOPYX Community, by definition they can see who the other community members are. If they request to be friends with another community member and are given permission by that member, they are then granted access to connect with their fellow students. They can see when their friends are online in the same course or community and directly connect to review or discuss material. This is unique. Most platforms do not show when others are online or within a course.
The interaction can be simple, such as following / being followed by other community members on Twitter. Or they can be much more complex, such as multi person video conferences. No matter whether some or all of the tools are used the student can connect through TOPYX to their peers, discussions can ensue, information shared, and knowledge gained.
Learn more at http://interactyx.com