Selecting Distance Learning Technologies

Asynchronous Training



In an effort to improve its poor safety record, a biodiesel manufacturing plant needs a series of safety training modules.  These stand-alone modules must illustrate best practices on how to safely operate the many pieces of heavy machinery on the plant floor.  The modules should involve step-by-step processes and the method of delivery needs to be available to all shifts at the plant.  As well, the shift supervisors want to be sure the employees are engaged and can demonstrate their learning from the modules.

The technologies used for distance education fall into two categories: telecommunications technologies that connect instructors to distant learners and classroom technologies that record, present, and display instructional information.  Increasingly, video—and computer-based systems are being used.  (Simonson, 2009). 

It is important to design a series of safety training modules that will be effective, in order to improve the company’s poor safety record.   There are a number of things to consider.  Who is the audience?  What are the statistics?  What is the budget?  How many shifts are there?  These factors are important to help decided if the training should be in-house online training or off site.   

I would use YouTube and Concept Mapping for this type of training.  I believe with the two Web 2.0 technologies this can be an effective learning tool and as a result improve the poor safety record.  The YouTube can provide step-by-step methods for completion of all the training and help the employees become certified machinery and in turn improve the safety record of the company.  

YouTube, founded in February 2005 as a place where anyone can upload a video file for viewing by the masses has become one of the most frequently visited sites on the Web.  Many faculties are uploading video-based lecture recordings and other course materials for convenient viewing by students.  (Simonson, 2009).   With the YouTube video, PowerPoint slides can be used along with the facilitator, demonstrating how to use the machinery correctly, and I will emphasize the demo will help the learners learn how to use the machine properly. 

I will incorporate Concept maps to connect the dots, the step-b-steps of the learning tool.  Concept maps shows the relationships among concepts through a visual representation.  The asynchronous training, is to improve poor safety records, the biodiesel manufacturing company need a series of safety training modules.  Knowledge visualization is a part of concept maps and it lies at the intersection of information graphics, graphic design, and cognitive science.  

Joseph Novak (2004), the inventor of concept maps, explains, better ways to educate people and help them "learn how to learn". Concept maps can profitably be used to represent knowledge in every field of study: they help students to construct new learning and are also useful for teachers to discover possible misconceptions in the students' own construction.  

Concept maps will bring together the connections.  This will help the learner understand what it is they are missing and hopefully improve the safety record of the company.   

Distance learning or online training will save money and time.  More learners can be trained at once and not taking time off from work, this would be a savings for the company because the training is in-house, saving on travel, meals and time away from the job.     

YouTube training can be very in debt.  It is important that the training is motivating, to keep the learner’s interest.  

Concept maps are graphical tools for organizing and representing knowledge. They include concepts, usually enclosed in circles or boxes of some type, and relationships between concepts indicated by a connecting line linking two concepts. Words on the line, referred to as linking words or linking phrases, specify the relationship between the two concepts.  We define concept as a perceived regularity in events or objects, or records of events or objects, designated by a label. The label for most concepts is a word, although sometime we use symbols such as + or %, and sometimes more than one word is used.  (Novak, 2006)

Example of a CONCEPT MAP OF DIGITAL LOGIC AND COMPUTER ORGANIZATION CONCEPTS.

 

References:

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2009).  Teaching and learning at a distance. (4th Edition). Boston. Pearson

Ashraf Saad, Georgia Institute of Technology, Savannah.   A Concept Maps-based Approach for Knowledge Visualization and Autonomous Self-Assessment in Distance Learning Environments

Novak, J. (2004).  Conceiving of Concept Maps To Foster Meaningful Learning: An Interview with Joseph D. Novak (J. Chem. Educ., 2004, 81 (9), p 1303, Retrieved on March 16, 2011 from http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ed081p1303

 

 

Distance Learning

Distance Learning Has Evolved in How We Learn In Today's Society!

I think distance learning is always changing -- because of brilliance, technology, and Web 2.0/3.0. It's amazing, it only takes one person to have a brilliant ideal, and it is evolved --we have Steve Job and Apple, is out of this world there is something new with Apple every six months. We have Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook, both are in a league of their own and both are number one in their field of technology which plays into distance learning. I am wowed everyday and I have so much to learn. I can't keep up with all the Web 2.0 and 3.0 and distant learning.

The benefits of distance learning are endless. For so many the evolution of distance learning has changed the way we all learn in today’s society. A person can earn a degree in ID; research a medical diagnoses; explore other parts of the world without leaving the comfort of their home.

With distant learning I can use my time wisely and schedule my classroom assignments and projects around others things that are going on such as work, family and personal life. Distance learning gives me the opportunity to attend class and complete coursework wherever I am. If I have access to a computer, I can post my login and submit assignments on time. If I am in the traditional classroom and have to be out of town for whatever reason, I could possibly miss a lot and fall behind in my assignments.

Distance learning has evolved from written correspondence to online classrooms. Dr. Simonson describes distance learning as a formal education with the learning groups, including (teachers, students, and resources) are separated by demography and sometimes by time.

Distance learning is great for individuals who find class participation intimidating, myself included. In the online classroom everyone must participate by posting a discussion and responding to some of the other classmates discussions. In the last few years, distance education has become a major topic in education (Simonson, 2009).

I personally think the benefits out weigh the challenges. Because I am a hands-on and visual learner; I sometimes find being in the traditional face-to-face classroom more effective. In the beginning it was hard for me to discipline myself to log into the classroom daily. And it seems like there is more work involved with online classes. In a traditional classroom you do not have to cite and reference everything when you are having classroom discussions. For online discussions some professors want you to cite what you have read and create a reference page. In traditional classrooms, this isn’t necessary because discussions are verbal.

Because, I am a visual and hands-on learner I find myself reading some of the assignments several times before I get a clear understanding. Distance education courses should be carefully designed and developed before instructions begins (p.9)

As an Instructional Designer it is important to know what your job as an ID and you should begin by meeting with all the stakeholders. It is important to know the learning styles and design learning tools that are motivating and individuals will be excited about learning. Dr. Simonson believes distance-learning works. I listed the six steps on how distance learning works and I add my own commentary to the list. Dr. Simonson also went on to tell why it works and how it works. Important concepts to understand:

1. Training in effective instructional strategies is critical for teachers of distant learners.

2. Distance education courses should be carefully designed and developed before instructions begin. (Start with a storyboard)

3. Visualization of ideas and concepts is critical when designing instruction to be delivered to distant learners. (Add some animation to the training materials and make it more interactive).

4. Adequate support systems must be in place to provide the distant learner with access to resources and services. (Add a good support team, someone who is knowledgeable and has some expertise in the training, who can answer questions)

5. Interaction between the instructor and student and among students must be possible and encouraged. (This is when an incentive can be introduced to the training program) May the training worthwhile and motivating. This may help the learner to want to learn more and be excited about taking the training.

6. Assessment should be designed to relate to the specific learning outcomes of the instructional experiences. (Follow-up and evaluations are valid to any type of training materials).

Distance education can be as effective as any other category of instruction. Learning occurs and knowledge is retained. Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek. (2009) (p.9) Once Western Dental get and effective learning tool/training materials and include an evaluation tools, it will help to alleviate some of the stress, at least when it comes to the training.



Reference:
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S (2009). Teaching and Learning at a Distance (4th edition)

Walden University Video. (2010). Distance Education: The next generation