After reviewing the required reading my take-away was to ensure that the goals of a particular course or learning module should be clearly identified at the beginning of the class. If you are able to do this clearly and effectively a student learning outcome can be enhanced. It provides a bench mark for what is the expected outcome once the course or activity is completed.
Admittedly, when participating in a course where the goals are not identified up front can leave you with that slight wondering feeling “what was I supposed to know when this class is complete?”
During Session 5, the course I developed was based on a very simple learning module. The module provided student’s with instruction on creating a pivot table using Microsoft Excel®. To assess the learning objectives an online exercise would be used is a standard rubric. Since the learning module is a small exercise it seemed to be the best choice in this scenario. It asks the basic question, were you successful in creating a pivot table and a few other required tasks to be completed during the learning module.
To show proof that the task is accomplished students would be provided a location where their end product could be uploaded for instructional review. After all modules are complete the design would allow for an online question & answer test to verify knowledge is achieved. To view this assessment copy & paste this web address into your browser: http://www.eportfoliopmays.com/Assess1_CreatePivotPam.pdf
Another assessment tool would be to establish an online discussion to validate the concept presented is learned. Often just talking about the topic helps to enhance the transfer of knowledge.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Session 7 - E-Learning Module on Microsoft Excel Pivot Tables
Here is the link to a .pdf of the e-learning module for creating an Excel Pivot Table:
If the hyperlink does not work for you, copy & paste this link into your browser:
http://eportfoliopmays.com/Create%20A%20Pivot%20Table%20Final%20PMays.pdf
If the hyperlink does not work for you, copy & paste this link into your browser:
http://eportfoliopmays.com/Create%20A%20Pivot%20Table%20Final%20PMays.pdf
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Session 6 - Effective Instructional Methods for e-Learning
Q: What student characteristics/attributes (e.g. attitude factors, distance experiences, prior knowledge, learning styles) of the distant learners do you think you may encounter? Discuss why these characteristics are important. Discuss what you need to do address them.
-Classroom Culture: According to Palloff and Pratt (1999) devoted much of their scholarship to developing “learning communities”. All participants are responsible for making this part of the distance learning experience. Without this component researchers found the success rate is higher with more social interactions.
-Etiquette: This was interesting to find as a factor in its own right. A really important part of the equation is having the rules of engagement identified early on. It is helpful to discuss the course expectations with all participants would be aware of the expectations of the instructor and other classmates.
-Experience Issues: I would prefer that participants have a pre-survey to find out their experience level with the course they are attending. I could see some issues coming up if a majority of the class has prior knowledge of a topic, while others were complete novices. There are benefits gained in pre-determining where students are out.
Q: How would you establish classroom management rules (e.g. Environmental design, Rules & routines, Discipline, Keeping the students on track, and Developing Rapport) to help students achieve learning objectives while facilitating a learner-centered approach?
-Classroom management rules would be very important to me they are set at the beginning of the class. Plans similar to how our course was kicked-off are helpful to have the discussions up front to level the playing field for all.
Q: List one specific learning objective you want to include in your online course and describe how you would design your class activities using one or multiple instructional strategies (e.g. problem centered learning, simulation, decision-making panels, class discussion, case studies, group discussion, tutorial, written exercises, reading, instructional gaming, exploration) to help your students meet the learning objective?
-The problem centered learning option is a good learning tool to use. It helps the student to conceptualize the cause and effect and provides concrete learning outcomes when problems can be analyzed and solutions found.
-Group discussions are helpful when the online learning environment is synchronous. Otherwise, the timing would be a little off for verbal communication.
-The use of blogging is a good tool for shared learning, however, I would use an alternate method of discussion forums’ to compliment the dialogue.
Addendum: 5/14/2010 Quiz question/feedback
After taking the Learning styles quiz, Multiple Intelligence Quiz, I had a high rating (94%) in the Visual/Spatial category. This does reflect what I have experienced in learning where it works best for me to do, vs. just reading and comprehending a subject.
Next were Interpersonal (78%), Bodily/Kinesthetic (75%), and Logical Mathematical (75%). I do have a good sense of understanding the motivations of others as described by the interpersonal category. While I am tactile and scored fairly high in the bodily/kinesthetic category. This is interpreted as using all or part of your body to create products or solve problems.
Taking the test was interesting and would be helpful to know early on in your academic career. The scores received help me to understand why this primarily online course is a bit of a struggle for me this quarter. I would thrive a bit more with a set time of interaction vs. reading and interpreting information into knowledge.
-Classroom Culture: According to Palloff and Pratt (1999) devoted much of their scholarship to developing “learning communities”. All participants are responsible for making this part of the distance learning experience. Without this component researchers found the success rate is higher with more social interactions.
-Etiquette: This was interesting to find as a factor in its own right. A really important part of the equation is having the rules of engagement identified early on. It is helpful to discuss the course expectations with all participants would be aware of the expectations of the instructor and other classmates.
-Experience Issues: I would prefer that participants have a pre-survey to find out their experience level with the course they are attending. I could see some issues coming up if a majority of the class has prior knowledge of a topic, while others were complete novices. There are benefits gained in pre-determining where students are out.
Q: How would you establish classroom management rules (e.g. Environmental design, Rules & routines, Discipline, Keeping the students on track, and Developing Rapport) to help students achieve learning objectives while facilitating a learner-centered approach?
-Classroom management rules would be very important to me they are set at the beginning of the class. Plans similar to how our course was kicked-off are helpful to have the discussions up front to level the playing field for all.
Q: List one specific learning objective you want to include in your online course and describe how you would design your class activities using one or multiple instructional strategies (e.g. problem centered learning, simulation, decision-making panels, class discussion, case studies, group discussion, tutorial, written exercises, reading, instructional gaming, exploration) to help your students meet the learning objective?
-The problem centered learning option is a good learning tool to use. It helps the student to conceptualize the cause and effect and provides concrete learning outcomes when problems can be analyzed and solutions found.
-Group discussions are helpful when the online learning environment is synchronous. Otherwise, the timing would be a little off for verbal communication.
-The use of blogging is a good tool for shared learning, however, I would use an alternate method of discussion forums’ to compliment the dialogue.
Addendum: 5/14/2010 Quiz question/feedback
After taking the Learning styles quiz, Multiple Intelligence Quiz, I had a high rating (94%) in the Visual/Spatial category. This does reflect what I have experienced in learning where it works best for me to do, vs. just reading and comprehending a subject.
Next were Interpersonal (78%), Bodily/Kinesthetic (75%), and Logical Mathematical (75%). I do have a good sense of understanding the motivations of others as described by the interpersonal category. While I am tactile and scored fairly high in the bodily/kinesthetic category. This is interpreted as using all or part of your body to create products or solve problems.
Taking the test was interesting and would be helpful to know early on in your academic career. The scores received help me to understand why this primarily online course is a bit of a struggle for me this quarter. I would thrive a bit more with a set time of interaction vs. reading and interpreting information into knowledge.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Session 5 - Instructional Design Model & Online Course
Initially, I wanted to explore using the Dick, Carey, and Carey model of instructional design. But after further review it really did not fit with what I was trying to achieve in the scenario of creating an online course. My natural tendency was to then use the Rapid Prototyping model (http://phlesig.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/m11_tripp.pdf). Finding the Rapid Prototyping design model would make the most of the effort required to meet the learning objective.
Since I work in a software engineering organization, I found the system approach to instructional design was a good fit to getting my course developed. You may ask, what course would you be required to do in your organization? Primarily, since I am not an official instructor it would be more along the lines of creating an online tutorial for one of our computer soft skills, e.g., Microsoft Excel components. The training would be considered an independent module (chunk) to learn how to create a pivot table using Microsoft Excel 2007.
As a fairly cost conscious organization the Rapid Prototyping model is ideal since it allows multiple steps to be conducted at the same time, thus, saving time in the end. The waterfall model (Maher & Ingram, 1989) could loosely be applied as it is typically used for software design and includes Analysis, Design, Implement, Test, and Maintain. The Rapid Prototyping comes into play since, there is continuous access to the Subject Matter Expert (me) and the learning outcome is well known and developed.
Here is a quick recap of the steps that I would use to accomplish an online learning course:
Assess Needs & Analyze Content –
In this effort the learning objective would be to solve our business problem for the training team’s users to become more self-sufficient in creating some of their own data analysis. The audience is our training team consultants and business managers that have basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel, but, need a job-aid to support them when they are working independently.
Set Objectives –
• Formatting your data.
• Creating a Pivot Table
• Organizing your Pivot Table
• Pivot Table Calculations
Construct Prototype (Design)–
• Use screen capture software to record the steps involved in meeting the learning objectives.
• Create a voice over with steps outlined.
• Create a Windows Media File that contains the recorded procedures to be hosted on an internal SharePoint site.
Utilize Prototype (Research)–
• Since there are existing processes in place for creating the end product a prototype can be made and provided to a small segment of users for testing.
• Once testing is complete the product will be made accessible to its intended audience.
Install & Maintain Software –
Since the actual end product will be a Windows Media File (movie) there will not be a true need to install a true software application. However, access to the recorded job-aid would be available to all internal team members.
Since I work in a software engineering organization, I found the system approach to instructional design was a good fit to getting my course developed. You may ask, what course would you be required to do in your organization? Primarily, since I am not an official instructor it would be more along the lines of creating an online tutorial for one of our computer soft skills, e.g., Microsoft Excel components. The training would be considered an independent module (chunk) to learn how to create a pivot table using Microsoft Excel 2007.
As a fairly cost conscious organization the Rapid Prototyping model is ideal since it allows multiple steps to be conducted at the same time, thus, saving time in the end. The waterfall model (Maher & Ingram, 1989) could loosely be applied as it is typically used for software design and includes Analysis, Design, Implement, Test, and Maintain. The Rapid Prototyping comes into play since, there is continuous access to the Subject Matter Expert (me) and the learning outcome is well known and developed.
Here is a quick recap of the steps that I would use to accomplish an online learning course:
Assess Needs & Analyze Content –
In this effort the learning objective would be to solve our business problem for the training team’s users to become more self-sufficient in creating some of their own data analysis. The audience is our training team consultants and business managers that have basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel, but, need a job-aid to support them when they are working independently.
Set Objectives –
• Formatting your data.
• Creating a Pivot Table
• Organizing your Pivot Table
• Pivot Table Calculations
Construct Prototype (Design)–
• Use screen capture software to record the steps involved in meeting the learning objectives.
• Create a voice over with steps outlined.
• Create a Windows Media File that contains the recorded procedures to be hosted on an internal SharePoint site.
Utilize Prototype (Research)–
• Since there are existing processes in place for creating the end product a prototype can be made and provided to a small segment of users for testing.
• Once testing is complete the product will be made accessible to its intended audience.
Install & Maintain Software –
Since the actual end product will be a Windows Media File (movie) there will not be a true need to install a true software application. However, access to the recorded job-aid would be available to all internal team members.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Session 4 - Web 2.0
The most relevant description of Web 2.0 was found in the Wikibook link that shared various open-content textbook collections. Specifically, the introductory statement that shares Web 2.0 as a paradigm shift in the manner in which Web technology is used. Describing it as the “read – write Web”; users can not only read what is on the Web, but, can also engage in active learning by contributing to its content.
Today’s emerging technologies, such as, blogs, wikis, podcasts, eBooks, and even online photo albums provide a rich medium for higher education as well as businesses. On a more personal level I have interacted heavily with the online photo albums and found it a very simple way to maintain one’s own memories and share them with those around us.
Another way my colleagues use Web 2.0 is through the use of online blogs. My company hosts an online blog for its training division that fosters customer learning of our Geographic Information System (GIS) software. There are opportunities for customer’s to post questions about what they learned in a particular class and have a Subject Matter Expert (SME) respond to them on a regular basis. Allowing the customers to have more of a connection with their continued understanding of the learning objectives presented in either an instructor-led or self-paced training class.
I can see many uses for both online photo albums and the use of blogs as part of the future of online learning.
Online Photo Albums: In the case of online photo albums, these can be used to record life experiences and allow the student to write about their interpretation of an experience as well as receive feedback from others on how their experience may have affected them. This would be considered a more active learning style and offer interaction on what each other understands about a specific topic.
Blogs: The idea of blogging today and in the future is in high gear and used either for personal or business related needs. Their impact on the future of online learning opens up a student’s ability to interact with different cultures, ways of learning and interpreting what is learned. Also, blogging provides a much needed outlet for self expression and information sharing beyond ones own community.
Today’s emerging technologies, such as, blogs, wikis, podcasts, eBooks, and even online photo albums provide a rich medium for higher education as well as businesses. On a more personal level I have interacted heavily with the online photo albums and found it a very simple way to maintain one’s own memories and share them with those around us.
Another way my colleagues use Web 2.0 is through the use of online blogs. My company hosts an online blog for its training division that fosters customer learning of our Geographic Information System (GIS) software. There are opportunities for customer’s to post questions about what they learned in a particular class and have a Subject Matter Expert (SME) respond to them on a regular basis. Allowing the customers to have more of a connection with their continued understanding of the learning objectives presented in either an instructor-led or self-paced training class.
I can see many uses for both online photo albums and the use of blogs as part of the future of online learning.
Online Photo Albums: In the case of online photo albums, these can be used to record life experiences and allow the student to write about their interpretation of an experience as well as receive feedback from others on how their experience may have affected them. This would be considered a more active learning style and offer interaction on what each other understands about a specific topic.
Blogs: The idea of blogging today and in the future is in high gear and used either for personal or business related needs. Their impact on the future of online learning opens up a student’s ability to interact with different cultures, ways of learning and interpreting what is learned. Also, blogging provides a much needed outlet for self expression and information sharing beyond ones own community.
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