Converting to a Distance Learning Format

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Are you considering updating a face-to-face training session to something new, possibly converting it to a distance learning format? These Best Practices will help guide you with your transition. 

You have already taken the first step, by identifying the format. This is an important piece, choosing between asynchronous, synchronous and hybrid can make all the difference in what you do from here on out for this conversion.

Target Audience 

Choosing/Knowing a target audience  is a very important step, "the learners in the class must be considered in order to ensure success and doing so “…yields a more productive learning environment.” (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2012, p. 154). Learn about your learners, what are they looking to get out of the class, what is their level of understanding, where are they technology wise. Answer questions about the learner to get a better understanding of where they are coming from and how they will access and use the information.

Instructional Design Models

Next, you should research your options for Instructional Design Models, there are several out there. While ADDIE is most commonly known and used it is not your only option, knowing more about models like Dick and Carey Model, which "addresses instruction as an entire system, focusing on the interrelationship between context, content, learning and instruction." (Instructional Design Central) You can also explore Kemp's Instructional Design Model "is particularly useful for developing instructional programs that blend technology, pedagogy and content to deliver effective, inclusive(reliable) and efficient learning. (Instructional Design Central) These are just a few options available to help you.

Technology

Technology, will you use a Learning Management System (LMS), how will you deliver the materials to the learner. Choosing a LMS is important if this is the route you choose you will want to research the options. Choosing your technology will help you choose your interactivity,which is the next step.

Interactivity

Interactivity, how will you interact with the learners, what are your options here, explore the concepts and options that are available. Will you use Discussions, will you use Wiki's, Blog or something new and innovative? The interaction needs to occur on many levels, Learner to Content , Learner to Instructor and Learner to Learner. (Pappas 2012)

Evaluation

Evaluation, how will you evaluate the learner, what they learned and how much they retained. “Evaluation of programs is used to identify strengths and weaknesses as well as the benefits and drawbacks of teaching and learning online”, (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2012, p. 348). 
  

References

Design, I. (2012). Instructional Design Central | Instructional Designer Resources, Information, and Professional Networking Services. Retrieved December 11, 2015, from http://www.instructionaldesigncentral.com/

Pappas, C. (2012, August 28). ELearning Industry, TOP 5 tips to Convert your Traditional Course into an eLearning format. Retrieved December 11 2015, from http://elearningindustry.com/

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Wordle image: www.wordle.net - created by Delena Holmes

Open Source's Impact on Distance Learning

In my current class Distance Learning we were asked to review an Open Source course, I chose to explore a course offered by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) the course name is "Slavery and Human Trafficking in the 21st Century"(http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/anthropology/21a-445j-slavery-and-human-trafficking-in-the-21st-century-spring-2015/) this course was offered during the Spring of this year. The course is well laid out, the materials were easy to locate and I was able to locate a syllabus, calendar and my assignments. From and Instructional Design standpoint, the course has been carefully planned with the learner in mind, you are provided with instant links to purchase course materials as needed, you have downloads available and easily located. Our text states “the components of a successful learning system are the learners, the content, the methods, the materials and the environment, including the technology” (Simonson, Smaldino, Zvacek, 2015). It is my belief that this course had all these components. I think it is great that during this course you not only have reading materials, you also get to watch films and videos.       

The subject is not an easy one to watch, but the ID for this course took a difficult subject and made a course that to me is engaging, insightful and keeps the learner in mind. There are weekly notes as part of your assignments, a small group presentation and a term paper is due at the end, and it’s a minimum of 17 to 20 pages. You are provided with more than enough resources, and information, samples and time. I felt the course was engaging, even without being in a live group environment.

        As I perused some of the other offerings I began to notice that MIT has a template for the layout of their courses. This in my opinion makes it easier for the learner feel comfortable navigating between the courses, having everything structured provides a comfort level once you have completed your first course you know that your future courses will have the same feel to them.

References

Mitali Thakor. 21A.445J Slavery and Human Trafficking in the 21st Century, Spring 2015. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare),http://ocw.mit.edu (Accessed 2 Dec, 2015). License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., & Zvacek, S. (2015). Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Education

Collaborative Training Environment

Example- A new automated staff information system was recently purchased by a major corporation and needs to be implemented in six regional offices. Unfortunately, the staff is located throughout all the different offices and cannot meet at the same time or in the same location. As an instructional designer for the corporation, you have been charged with implementing a training workshop for these offices. As part of the training, you were advised how imperative it is that the staff members share information, in the form of screen captures and documents, and participate in ongoing collaboration.

There are many great options available, one just needs to do some research. One option that you could offer is a virtual session, utilizing a combination of video conferencing, such as Vidyo and web hosting program, such as On24, you would be able to host a training that can be live for multiple attendees, and recorded for future attendees, you have options like annotations, chats and Q&A sessions to interact the staff members they can share screen captures, documents and various other items during the session. Another great option is to utilize a CMS, like Moodle.com and create the course and allow discussions, 

During a recent roll out of a new software at the Firm we created a progressive roll out of the software training. We offered several Live in office and Virtual offerings, we also recorded a session and created a course in our LMS, our LMS is SumTotal, to offer to those unavailable for the live sessions. We then created Q&A sessions for after the roll out that could be attended and to allow for even more questions and collaboration. For these sessions we simply utilized a webinar hosting program, we use WebEx. 

As an Instructional Designer it is important to know your options, research your options and find the one that works best for that situation. Currently we are exploring options for how to offer more virtual training to our world wide offices, with budget and travel constraints it becomes important to look at options on how to continue to offer training sessions. This is where we get to really have some fun and explore options, try new things and see what works best for our clients. We have explored two options for some classes, we recently offered an entire 4 hour course virtually using video conferencing software. The class went well, our learners were engaged and the facilitator was able to get all the materials in. 

References:

www.webex.com
www.on24.com
www.vidyo.com
www.moodle.com
www.coursesites.com

Distance Learning

     In my lifetime I have not traveled to many places, but thanks to distance learning I have been able to receive my education without leaving my home. I have been able to raise my son on my own, without having to put him in daycare or having missed milestones in his life thus far. I now have a teenager, my Bachelors and am working on my Masters, 

       Distance Learning means different things to different people. For example, I don't think I would have thought of the distance learning like correspondence courses, I hadn't thought of those in years, not till I read about it in our readings. Now I can remember when correspondence courses were offered, I can remember many of the other types of distance learning I researched when I first graduated high school, and wasn't sure the traditional classroom was for me. It turns out I wasn't meant for the traditional classroom, online learning was what fit me, I could participate in discussions, be a part of a group, learn at my own pace and learn self discipline. 

          While Distance Learning might not be for everyone it has changed my life both personally and professionally. I believe Distance Learning is such a generic term, if you ask someone in the learning field what is Distance Learning, you are sure to get many different answers. I actually did this in my office, I asked some of our Trainers, Senior Trainers, Training Coordinators even Managers, how they would define Distance Learning, it was truly amazing at how many different answers I received. While it appears to me there is no one way to define Distance Learning, it is what you make of it. . 

Reference:

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., & Zvacek, S. (2015). Definitions, History, and Theories of Distance Education, Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Education, pgs. 35 – 40.

Reflecting on a semester of Learning Theories…

Reflecting on a semester of Learning Theories…

About 16 plus weeks ago, I made a decision to return back to school to obtain my Masters Degree, not an easy decision and one I continue to struggle with, and I am sure I will struggle with till I have the degree in hand. That being said I think it is going to be the best decision I have made in a long time. The learning experience thus far has been great, just in this class alone I have gained so much knowledge that will carry forward not only in my future career as an instructional designer but also in my current job as a training coordinator. 

            I have gained knowledge about how we learn, how the brain works and how to enhance the learning experience utilizing this information. I think the most surprising thing I learned was actually about my own learning, I realized the type of learner I was and that my own learning changes often. I also gained knowledge about my son’s learning and with all his different disabilities it is with this knowledge that I can work with his teachers to work on a learning plan that will work for him and will enable him to learn like his classmates.

            With the knowledge I gained from this course about my own learning, I will be able to work on times when I am having difficulties, I can think back and focus the information into a learning theory that works best for me.

            This course deepened my understanding of my own personal learning process by showing me different ways to learn, the different ways each person learns and what I can do to enhance my own learning into a more exciting experience. Learning for me was once a painful and tough experience. It is now that I am an adult learner that I am finding that learning can be fun, I can learn without all the pain, and retain the knowledge.

            I plan to take the information and knowledge I gained from this course and use apply it to so many aspects of my life, from helping my son with his studies, working with his teachers. Everything we learned about motivation, how the brain functions, the different learning theories, learning styles and educational technology I plan to use in my everyday job, all of this information will be helpful as we build our classes and work on learning plans.

            This course has taught me so much about theories and styles of learning and the use of educational technology, and I learned even more from my fellow classmates and our search for outside sources. I now have some great references to use, blogs that I have bookmarked all that I can refer back to as I continue my education and in my everyday life.

Learning Theories, Learning Theory Matrix and Understanding How I Learn

   I have learned so much this last 7 weeks about how we learn, how I learn, and how to use this information to help with the designing of courses. When I began this class I would have simply said that I learn from watching once, then doing, there was not theory, no name for it just what I have come to know as how I learn. Now I have learned that my learning style has changed over the years and continues to change from course to course and even day to day. With the knowledge that my learning styles change, I can prepare myself so that I get the most out of my learning experience.  Before this class and not having read our readings I would have said based solely on names that my learning style was Social.

  Oh the things I have learned about learning theories, how the brain process learning, how the brain functions at all, and even how each individual learns. It has been so much, that at times I wonder if there is room in my brain for more learning. Now, I know there is plenty of room, and that I have the ability to learn so much more, I even know the styles in which I may learn over the future.  All of the learning we have done will further us in our future designing courses, these will guide us to design effective learning for our learners.  With each person having a different learning style, know this will greatly enhance our programs.

  Technology plays an important part of my learning, and has for a few years now. I received my Bachelor’s Degree via an online program, technology was my method of learning as well as what I was learning about, I was studying graphic design, technology was all around my learning. Once I finished my degree, technology slowed down in my learning realm.  I was focused more on just daily technology use, all my learning was done via person to person, I was focused on getting training from those around me. Now I am in a new position and a new field, where technology is again at the forefront of my learning, we use technology as a learning tool for all of our clients.  We utilize a Learning Management System to allow our clients the ability to sign up for courses, take online courses, manage their learning hours and invest in their future.  I myself have decided to go back to school for my Masters and now here I am once again using technology for my own learning. I also have access to the internet and various other technological devices to help me with helping my son in his studies.

Connectivism

Connectivism

 

 

My learning has changed so much in the past few years, and even more in the last year alone, I believe this is based on my network. Back when I was in high school, there wasn’t much that helped you if you had a question, you had to rely on your teacher or the good old encyclopedia, I am betting and I know with my own son, that there are lots of kids out there that don’t even know what an encyclopedia is, except the one you can find on the internet.  My son was shocked the first time I showed him that it was actually a book, a hardback, with paper pages even. My network that helps me consists of great friends, fantastic co-workers, and social media. I have learned so much with all of these things at my fingertips, it is so easy to get any information I want or need. It’s readily accessible, easy to find, or I can call, text or pin any questions I may have. I still love my books and occasionally still go back to the books, be it for nostalgia or because sometimes it just feels good to look for stuff the “Old Fashioned Way”.

The best digital tools I have found are Pinterest, LinkedIn, Facebook and Google. I enjoy the instantaneousness of these, if I have a question, or need to know something I can find it right away.             

When I have a new question I will begin by asking co-workers and friends, if they are unable to help me I will go to the internet and search, starting with Pinterest, LinkedIn and work my way to Google.

It is my belief that my personal learning network supports connectivism, because we are all in some way connected, be it physically or through the internet, there is some sort of connection to each other and to the information.