My first learning module

Well, I did it. I completed my first learning module and I think it was pretty good. I received some helpful feedback and will implement the changes soon. But as rewarding and enjoyable as designing and completing the website was, creating the learning modules was no easy task, nor without stress. I've never been very great at brainstorming; I just kinda have ideas floating in my brain somewhere. I thought that would be good enough until I realized that those floating ideas needed to connect like puzzle pieces; or the picture would be ugly. My learning module was designed for 2nd graders; and I haven't been 8 in ages, so trying to recreate learning for that age proved to be challenging.

One might think that teaching elementary age children should be simple because the instructor has known this information for a long time already, right? Umm, nope. That is precisely why getting to the students age level of learning is difficult because it's almost like relearning ourselves in the process. Especially since 8 year olds today are very different in ways than when I was 8 simply because of technology and all the advancements of education.

I found a wonderful site called e-learning for kids that helped me to think of the way children do learn nowadays. Even though 7 children are in my home, everyone (including adults) learn in different ways and retain different material. Heck, even I enjoy learning more if there's a little entertainment to go along with it. Learning becomes interactive; a hands-on approach to thinking. That is why learning modules, especially those which combine classroom and technology, are just more successful. Blended learning isn't exactly a new concept; just ask a doctor how they learned to perform surgeries. They didn't learn a process from a book, and I'm glad they didn't! To really learn something means to make the process an experience so regardless of what age we are, we enjoy and retain the lessons learned and build upon that knowledge.

Fyrebox-Game and quiz tool

Adding some quizzes and games to my learning module is the last thing on my list to do. I decided to wait until everything else was finalized to make sure the children are acquiring all the material that is needed for a successful completion of the learning modules. When brainstorming what types of quizzes and games to use as well as the material I wanted to include, I realized I needed a tool which could create these, yet simple and fun enough for 2nd graders to remain focused and interested. 

Fyrebox is a game and quiz tool which was exactly what I needed for the students' learning modules. They offer eight templates which you can modify to suit your need or you can create a custom quiz or game. The color schemes are simple yet not boring and Fyrebox provides useful data, such as; how many times the test or game was taken/played, profiles, and statistics. These basic functions are available when you sign up with a free account. Of course you can upgrade to have even more features, but they offered what I needed. 

Learning modules need to be fun and inspirational to children when learning new information; especially the type that they will learn in my course. I have never been one to condone video games, especially in learning, but with such technology savvy children these days, the use of games in learning are inevitable. I have come to realize that there are "mindless" games but that isn't what we want for our students. Learning is fun, we just all learn differently and find interest in different subjects. Hopefully technology, including games, will provide students with more appropriate placement of knowledge and a greater aptitude for applying the learned material. 

Aren't podcasts like the radio from long ago?

My instructor suggested using a podcast for my learning module, especially since my students are 2nd graders. I have only ever created one podcast in my life so I wasn't exactly keen on creating another one. Mind you, not that making one was all the difficult; it wasn't, but how you express what you say is. I found a wonderful story to use for a podcast for my learning module but then I thought, "now why would a bunch of 7 and 8 year olds really listen to the podcast?" They wouldn't, if it was boring.

This got me thinking about the days before television when all they had was the radio. People had to use their imaginations as they listened to the story or live broadcast. Even back then people would not have listened if the show was lifeless and dull to listen too. We have visual senses and if we cannot physically see what is occurring, then we must "see" with our minds.The same is even more true today. With all the technology children experience, even at very young ages, this is a greater challenge when creating podcasts for our youth.

Now I am not an experienced teacher, or even a podcast creator, but of the seven children that have lived in my house, currently I have three who are four and younger, so I do know that motivating children takes a lot of work. But I also know children are easier to please, and that a genuine interest in the children's welfare during the podcast will be expressed and received by the kids. I plan to add animals sounds (as the story takes place on a farm), speak the narrative just right, as I would if reading to them in person. What started out as not a pleasant task of podcast creating has turned into one of the elements I am most excited to create!

Just to share, here is a list of children's podcast from iTunes. Enjoy!

Ready for mLearning?

mLearning you say? Yes. Mobile learning. I don't know of a person 6th grade and above who doesn't have a smartphone or tablet, honestly. Nevermind my personal feelings about it; it's just the reality of our culture. I am on my smartphone numerous times a day for a variety of reasons, so why not bring education in the picture too. Oh wait, it is already! So this week I tried out some HTML5 eLearning authoring tools that I have never heard of or used before. There were so many so I limited to 5 different tools that had differences among each other.

iSpring PRESENTER - I liked this tool because it can be integrated with your Powerpoint (and I love PP) which allows you to create mobile ready presentations, videos lectures, interactive surveys and quizzes.

COMPOSICA - This tool does not require installation of apps or players and can be accessed through desktop or mobile. You can view sample courses and a free trial is offered.

ELUCIDAT - This tool was pretty cool, in my opinion and can be used on any device. You pretty much have control over how you want the course to look and it was fun to do. There is a free trial available.

GOMO LEARNING - This was my favorite and since the website says it better than I can, "HTML5 eLearning tool, where you can create responsive and adaptive content from one single HTML code base, content works automatically on desktops, tablets, and smartphones". There is no software installation, the graphics were beautiful, and it was quite fun. There is a free 21 day trial, but it is a little pricy.

H5P - this tool allows you to create interactive HTML5 content directly in a browser for mobile usage. There are no plugins required and it is absolutely free!

There are still so many more mobile eLearning authoring tools available; which I plan on checking out. What technology has allows us to create and do on our smartphones; is it really used to make "phone calls" anymore?

to be synchronous, or not to be asynchronous...

As I was pondering what to write for this weeks blog, I realized there is so much I have yet to learn that writing about the basics of eLearning; a new topic or tool each week, would help myself to really focus on one element of eLearning at a time. So this week I am writing about synchronous and asynchronous eLearning to help make the decision of - to eLearn or not to eLearn...

which road to take?

Synchronous eLearning is an event delivered in real-time to remote learners. 

Asynchronous eLearning is an event which does not take place in real-time.

When designing an eLearning module, questions must be answered before choosing which road to take. What are the program goals, audience, and number of participants? Should a sense of community be embodied, or is self-paced learning more desirable? While both types may result in similarly learned material, which is more engaging to the learners should be of concern when deciding which eLearning tools will deliver the message best. Below are some examples of synchronous and asynchronous tools.

With so many eLearning tools available, selecting either synchronous or asynchronous may be a difficult decision. The good news is a course module can use both types of synchronous and asynchronous tools completely through eLearning or through blended learning; eLearning and face-to-face interaction. Deciding which synchronous and/or asynchronous tools to be used as part of a course module can drive the learners on the right road to success.

Personal Learning Network

Twitter

EdTech  focuses on K-12 and is a community based which shares information 
edutopia is inspiration and information for what works in education.
TED Talks because who couldn't use a little pick-me up or a good laugh?
INTEL Education just to keep up with technology.
Edudemic a community of educators and technologists looking to enhance learning. 

Pinterest

info.shiftelearning.com is all about eLearning as a professional and the direction of eLearning's future.
eLearning Infographic eLearning in education, technology, theories, MOOC's, etc...
eLearningindustry.com how instructional design and eLearning come together.
Education Minnesota  since this is where I live I wanted to start becoming connected. 
Favorite EdTech  EdTech resources for educators. 

Blogs

Free Technology for Teachers- this blog provides current technologies and uses for teachers.
Corporate eLearning Strategies & Development- this blog is focused on how instructional design can benefit corporations and the workplace.
Instructional design and Development Blog -this blog focuses on instructional design from the viewpoint of both teachers and students.
Upside Learning Blog- This is a good blog for those new to instructional design or just curious about the subject.
Flirting w/eLearning- this blog is a great resource for beginners and recent graduates who want to get a feel for the field of instructional design.

Google+ Communities

Teachers helping Teachers- discussions involving best practices, sharing ideas, or just networking with other teachers.
Instructional design-a community of professionals who connects other professionals in instructional design and eLearning.
Technology & Innovation in Education - A community for the intersection of research and practice relating to innovation in teaching and learning.
Educators on Google+ - Edtech, K-12, Higher Ed, English, Math, Science, Social Studies, History, Athletics, Music, Theater, Library Information Science, and anything about schools.
E-Learning and Digital Cultures MOOC- a community aimed at teachers, learning technologists, and people with a general interest in education who want to deepen their understanding of what it means to teach and learn in the digital age.

Facebook

Edudemic is k-12 and has tech information. 

Peer2Peer University - is an online community of open study groups for short university-level courses  which creates small groups of motivated learners, and supports the design and facilitation of courses. 

Instructional Design & eLearning Professionals Group- collection of eLearning articles, 

concepts, software & resources.

Adobe Captivate  - because I really like working with Captivate!
Udacity-builds relevant and engaging online courses in programming and data science.

 

Why I love eLearning

I am a perpetual student; I graduated 20 years ago from high school, and I am still in school. But this time it is different. This time I choose it. I am an online learner and I am proud of it. I used to think that online schools were for those who couldn't make it in the "real" schools. Try juggling school with a career and a family and then we'll see who can and can't make it.  I earned my MBA online, but it wasn't until I started my ILT program at University of Colorado that I came to an appreciation of just how powerful online education really is. But online learning is so much more than a balancing act; it's an experience. 

What I have learned in my courses thus far is that the design of an online course has the greatest impact. I experienced this during my MBA courses, only I did not connect the course material with the design of the courseroom at the time. I didn't think about it the way I do now. In fact, once a learner starts thinking of instructional design models; such as ADDIE, it's hard to stop. 

My husband thinks I have an addiction to synchronous and asynchronous tools. My "addiction" sure came in handy when I taught him how to use Adobe Connect, Skype, and Google Hangouts. After all, my kids didn't mind when I created fun games/stories for them with Adobe Captive, or Prezi, or GoAnimate. I just laugh and go right back to uploading a video of the kids on FB, Google+ and our family's website. 

Just think, this is only my 5th course in the ILT program so far...