E-tivity

Definition

The term E-tivity was coined by S. Gilly of Open University (England). It means "task online"; it is a framework to learn a language in a dynamic and iteractive way. This activity is based on intense interaction and reflective dialogue between a number of participants, such as learners / students and teachers, who work in a computer-mediated environment. E-tivities are text-based and led by an e-moderator (usually a teacher).

Structure

Target: e-tivities are structured with the aim of making participants (usually learners/students) cooperate to learn how to use computers and the Internet.

Task: the moderator asks participants to do an activity online. In doing the activity, participants have to complete a task (as for example, explore a certain site, understand how it works and what its contents are to be able then to comment on it) and try to solve any problem by themselves.

Timeline: the moderator gives participants a deadline to do the activity. This timeline is useful to organize work and make sure that all participants will complete it in an equal term. The timeline should let participants a little time to complete the "respond" part before the assignment of the following e-tivity.

Respond: participants are invited to read other participants' e-tivities and comment about them whenever they have something interesting to add. This last part is useful to create collaboration between participants and to improve the work method quality of everyone of them thanks to the advises of others and of the moderator.

• See E-moderation five-stage model
• See activity
• See Bloggingenglish to look at a few examples of e-tivities

References

• Salmon, Gilly (2002), "E-tivities. The Key to Active Online Learning", London: Tayler & Francis. ISBN 0749436867
  • See also the review at elearning.surf.nl
    • Have a look at http://www.umuc.edu/distance/odell/cvu/brownbag/salmon/ppt/sld011.htm