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

Fitting the Pieces Together

Psychology has been studying learning for more than 100 years. Researchers are focusing on what is going on inside the head and also how teachers, instructional designers, anyone who wants to help people learn how they can design instruction to make those cognitive processes work well for the learner. To teach effectively, I believe it is vital to understand some of the different learning styles and have some understanding of how students learn.

I am a visual and hands-on learning. I can read something and read it again and not always have a clear understanding of what I've read. However when something is demonstrated to me or if I am involved with the demonstration (by doing) I have a clear understand of everything I have read.

According to Bill Kerr blog “Learning theory is like politics, is full of isms: constructivism, behaviorism, cognitivism and now a new one, connectivisim. "The idea is that the learner is a complex information-processing system and to understand how learning occurs, one must understand how information processing occurs within the human brain... in the cognivitist's view learning occurs internally and through the social interactions with others."

The mind is not like a computer, at least, not like most any computer we've build, and depicting the mind as analogous to (and governed by the rules governing) symbol system processors is to misrepresent it in a fundamental way.

In the world we live in today technology plays a major role in our every lives and if we are not using some type of technology to learn we are living under a rock. We have emergency room doctors using wikipedia to diagnose patients. http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/05/poll-should-doctors-use-wikipedia-for.html

According a recent study, 50 percent of physicians who go online for professional reasons use Wikipedia to answer health questions, and the number of doctors who this popular user-generated web encyclopedia has doubled over the past year. Supposedly because wikipedia is updated in real time and this can be useful information.

The best way for me to gain knowledge is to first, ask questions, and more questions, to get the answer. I also, use the computer and the Internet to gain knowledge by searching for the answers. Another way I gain knowledge is through my friends, colleagues, and family. In today’s world, technology is at the front line for information.

Technology has leaded me to pursue a degree online, I can research articles for my assignments, communicate and social network with family and friends across the global. I can research just about anything-using technology. In 2008 I went to South Africa for two weeks and visited a Computer café and was able to communicate with my family and colleagues in the States. I was so excited that they were available when I sent the email. It is amazing what technology can do for us and how much it has grown over the last 10-15 years and continues to advance more daily. I love technology but it is also a little intimidating at times.

Also, According Felder et al. (2002), “people have different learning styles that are reflected in different academic strengths, weaknesses, skills, and interests. Understanding learning style differences is thus an important step in designing balanced instruction that is effective for all students” (p. 3)

Reference:

Kevinmd.com Blog

Bill Kerr: http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html

A reflection on how my connections facilitate my learning:

My network has been a great resource for my growth and development, personally, academically and professionally. I have a network, of family, friends, my job, Walden University, Library, and the Internet, etc. We all need some sort of network in order to survive. If I didn’t have a network I would be lost in the wilderness. Even the animals have a network and know how to use it, to their advantage. The dictionary defines Network as a group or system of interconnected people or things: a trade network. a group of people who exchange information, contacts, and experience for professional or social purposes : a support network.

George Siemens describes Connectivism as a learning theory that integrates technology, social networks, and information.

Life is very interesting. It doesn’t matter our age; we are always learning something new each and every day of our lives. We have always had a network to learn from. Our network changes with each generation. My great-grandparents network, was very limited, it was basically their circle of friends and family; my grandparents, had family, friends, church, radio and maybe a television, my parents have friends, family, television, radio, computer, and the Internet. Since early childhood we have connected and network with our parents, teachers, friends, other students, television, radio, library, and as with every generation, there is advancement and things change and for this generations it is through computers, Internet, websites, social networks, blog, and facebook, etc.

The environment in which I work, live, and play has a wealth of information not only for me as an adult learner but also for my autistic son. My network has changed my way of learning in many ways. What I am doing right now, typing my blog for posting later. I say WOW! I have a blog and last year I didn’t know what a blog was or how it worked. Today, I am writing a blog, now that’s a big change. Also, because of this course “Learning Theories and Instructions” I know more about blog, RSS, mind map, the different types of learning theories and learning styles. I am still learning how to learn and I love it!

The best way for me to gain knowledge is to first, ask questions, and more questions, to get the answer. I also, use the computer and the Internet to gain knowledge by searching for the answers. Another way I gain knowledge is through my friends, colleagues, and family. In today’s world, technology is at the front line for information. I was in a meeting with some colleagues and one my colleagues read somewhere that an emergency room doctor used wikipedia to diagnose his patient. I don’t know if that’s scary or great! Of course we all laughed but really it wasn’t funny.

Julie Conlan, Sarah Grabowski, Katie Smith described four learning theories and they are 1) Action Learning, 2) Experiential Learning, 3) Self-Directed Learning, and 3) Project-Based Learning. The experiential learning theory, best describe my learning style.

The experiential learning theory is the best learning theory for me. I learn and gain knowledge and skills quickly by doing. I learn how to ride a bike by doing it, including falling off and scaring my knees and getting back up and trying again. I learn how to use a computer by first teaching myself how to type and taking computer classes. As, with learning Instructional Design, the best way for me to come up with the right learning tool, I will learn by doing as well as the individuals who will be using the system.

Learning how to use a computer is the best digital tool that has facilitated my learning. The computer gives me access to the world’s largest classroom. With the computer and the Internet, I can become my own doctor, (don’t know if that’s better than going to a real doctor), I can complete my degree in an online classroom, I can research information for my courses, I can communicate with my classmates and professor, and the list can go on and on.

Reference:

Adult Learning http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Adult_Learning

Connetivism Mind Map

Week 2 - The brain and learning theory

I visited the Walden Library and found a couple of articles, one, on Connecting Brian Cambourne’s Conditions of Learning Theory to Brain/Mind Principles: Implications for Early Childhood Educators and Where do the Learning Theories Overlap?

Both articles are very interesting and I hope you can find the time to read both of them. Brian Cambourne’s theory on how we learn and the way the mind work basically boils down to eight concepts and they are, immersion, demonstration, engagement, expectations, responsibility, employment, approximation and response. He first begins by stating that we actually gain knowledge from experiences and environment. He also went on to say that it does not matter how old you are or if you are in pre K or a graduate student his suggestion is that we all learn in the same manner. We must keep the brain stimulated with a wide variety of impulses. The Cambourne model is to help develop the student into independtly learning and he talks about how to stimulate the brain to help students gain knowledge and skills.

The other article is very clear that there is multiple intelligences, learning styles, and brain-based education are distinct fields of study but share similar outcomes in the practical environment of the classroom. What it is really saying if you visit any school for any length of time you will notice similarities and differences in their beliefs and practices, of multiple intelligences, learning styles, and brain-based education.

Reference:

Early Childhood Education Journal, Vol. 31, No. 1, Fall 2003 ( 2003) Stephen P. Rushton,1,3 Janice Eitelgeorge,1 and Ruby Zickafoose2

Education Leadership September 1997

http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=39&hid=111&sid=f2a30160-7840-464c-bdb6-dd9d1b1ad15e%40sessionmgr104

http://content.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/pdf10/pdf/1997/EDL/01Sep97/9710053102.pdf?T=P&P=AN&K=9710053102&S=R&D=a9h&EbscoContent=dGJyMNHr7ESep7Q4y9f3OLCmr0ieqK5SsKe4SbKWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMPGss0q1qK5IuePfgeyx44Dt6fIA

Great Instructional Design Sites from Fellow Blogger

One of the sites I visited was Instructional Design and this is an excellent site, with great information for Instructional Designers and students. I didn’t know there were different types of instruction design models and most of them are spin off of the ADDIE Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation model. Although this model has some significant weaknesses, it is still a model other instructional design are modeling. I will be visiting this site often; it has a lot of learning tools and tutorials, that will be useful for me.

One can learn a lot from visiting this site. http://www.instructionaldesign.org/models/addie.html



Here’s another site whit a wealth of information, you can find on this sit, awesome. It is another great resourceful site I will be visiting quite often. This site has great information that is going to help me a lot, it offer information, such as what is the definition for Instructional Design, Job listing, LinkedIn.com, (another great site), ID Conferences, ID Forums, and other ID sites and you can see what other Colleges and Universities are offering in the field of Instructional Design. Also, if you would like to know what the pay scale is for Instructional Designers you can find it on this site, as well. http://www.instructionaldesigncentral.com/

The Rapid E-Learning Blog site is a amazing site that offer resources under the Instructional Design link that gives great examples on passive and active learning, which I found very interesting and also found out I am more of a passive learner. Not that any thing is wrong with that but there is a difference between a passive and active learner. I would recommend you visit the site and see if you are a passive or active learner. I like that this site use actual video PowerPoint sides to give examples of a number of learning tools. Great great site!

http://www.articulate.com/rapid-elearning/instructional-design/