Online Learning Tools

In Module 3, we learned about the different online learning tools. It was very interesting to read about all the tools available in online education! Thanks to the Internet, teacher and instructors have so many options that it is often too hard to only choose the right tool. It may become very time consuming to learn how to use all the tools available. Teachers should first make a research to see if the tool they want to introduce to students is worth the time needed to learn how to use the tool and to create content with it. I think students will find most of the tools attractive and fun, but teachers should not overuse technology even if it looks “cool” to students. More important is to think if the tool will help students to learn the content.

I researched the screencasting software called “Adobe Captivate”. During my research, I found out that screencasting tools in general have many more advantages than disadvantages. They are very popular among teachers and students and most of the screencasting tools are very easy to learn. I have chosen Adobe Captivate since I would like to master this tool myself. I only learned the basics so far and I would like to become advanced in using this tools. I would like to be involved in software training and Adobe Captivate is one of the best tools to create interactive tutorials for software training. The presentation I created (using Prezi), can be found here: http://prezi.com/yeosnik3klu3/adobe-captivate/

I also enjoyed watching my classmates’ presentations. So far, I knew about all the introduced tools, but I hope that I will learn about some new ones which I could use when I create my online courses.

Worked Example Screencast Project

Digital Story

I really enjoyed creating this assignment, but it took me a while to come up with a topic. I decided to write a story about the International Women’s Group. For more than a year, it has been my and my daughter’s favorite place to hang out with friends and to learn new skills and have fun. IWG helps me every day and this is a little thank you from Sofia and I. Enjoy!

Project Tips for Technology Trainers

My podcast is called “Project Tips for Technology Trainers” and it is a series of podcasts about useful technology tools for teachers and trainers of technology. In each podcast, I will introduce a new tool. I will also provide a short presentation and URLs where the tools can be downloaded. The target audience are all the technology teachers and trainers who would like to use technology tools in the classroom, but also others who enjoy trying out new tools and learn more about educational technology and get some tips on using it in the classroom – especially in technology courses with adult learners.

I used GarageBand to record the podcast since the interface looked easier than Audacity and there are already some jingles included, so it was faster for me to add them to the podcast.

In the first podcast, I will be talking about Skype and how it can be incorporated to the technology curriculum.

I followed the outline below:

OUTLINE

Intro music jingle beginning

Intro monologue

Intro music jingle end

Topic: Skype in the technology classroom for adult learners

Closing music jingle beginning

Closing remarks

Closing music jungle end

 

 

 

Project Tips for Technology Trainers Podcast

Multimedia and Contiguity Principles

This presentation was created for the International Women’s Group to introduce the Google Groups. I used the multimedia and contiguity principles to not overload the learners’ working memory. I used mostly images and screenshots with narration (written in speakers notes). There is limited text included on the slides – the screenshots were captured for easier navigation, but the explanation of each button and all the steps is included in the narration.

Creating My Learning Log

I have created this learning log in January 2011 for my first class at Boise State. Since then I used the blog to reflect on my learning in several other classes. I have never used wordpress before, but it was really easy to set up the blog and just start writing. What I like about WordPress is that I can change the themes, it is very understandable and easy to navigate, and offers many useful widgets. Sometimes it is very challenging to write a reflection, especially in the beginning. I had never written a reflection before my first EdTech class, so I wasn’t sure if what I’m writing is what is required. But over time I found out that it really helps my learning. It is a great way to sort my thought about the particular subject.

Creating this learning log aligns with AECT Standard 2.3 Computer-Based Technologies (Computer-based technologies are ways to produce or deliver materials using microprocessor-based resources.) since I incorporated technology into my learning.

Learning Log is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Media Comparison Studies

According to Surry and Ensminger, “in a typical media comparison study, the researcher seeks to determine if learners using one instructional delivery medium attain higher levels of achievement in a particular content area than learners using a different instructional delivery.” They also state that many people like media comparison studies because it is easy for a researcher to understand and describe the variables, media comparison studies are easy to set up and run, the technology is still changing, and clients want quick information to answer media questions. Some people believe that media and design influence learning, others don’t. Many also believe that any medium can be used to deliver information and that one medium is not better than others.

While I was reading about media comparison studies this week, I really liked the “Delivery Truck Argument” by Richard E. Clark. He states that “media don’t influence the way we learn any more than the truck that delivers our groceries influences our nutrition.” Clark believes that the instructional medium is less important than the instructional method. I agree with him. I have an experience from my finance class. During the semester, we were required to complete a short online course about finance terms. The authors of this course thought that if they create a fancy looking course, that it will help the students to learn. The opposite was true. We were all frustrated because we were supposed to look for information, but the screen was full of blinking animations and it was just too distracting to be able to learn anything. So at the end, the whole class ended up passing this online assignment because the multiple choice quiz was very easy, but nobody learned anything. I am sure that if the authors just chose a better instructional method for this part, we would have learned more.

On the other hand, I have read that media do not influence motivation, but I am not sure if I completely agree with that statement. From my experience as a student, I was always excited to learn with technology and using media. Especially as a kid, I was always looking forward to our computer class where we would learn how to type. I am not sure if I understand what the authors meant by this argument and in the future, I would like to research more about motivation and media.

Reading all the papers made me think if media comparison studies are usefull at all. I would not think that they are not before this assignment. As the authors said, many people believe in these studies. But I stand with those who think that the instructional method is more important.