tarynshae

Activity 3.4:

tarynshae — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 03:34:05 +0000

The use of colours in e-learning design can either positively or negatively affect the learner’s e-learning experience. Colour schemes should be chosen carefully and used in order to convey or emphasise a particular message. Due to the dynamic nature of the content of my course and the use of multiple e-learning technologies, I have decided to stick with neutral tones for the online learning modules. Simple borders, plain text and minimal shading will be used as I want to put as much emphasis on the content as possible. As there will be animation and still images in the online learning modules, as less distraction as possible in the design and colour will be more effective.

Activity 3.3:

tarynshae — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 03:30:03 +0000

Visual design and visual hierarchy are important things to take into consideration when design e-learning. Bad visual design e.g. too much information, wrong use of colour, too much animation/sound etc, can have a negative effect on the learner and the information or message that is trying to be conveyed can be lost. Visual hierarchy, how a page is logically organised, also affects the learning experience. If page layout, text, spacing, headings etc are organised logically, then the reader will be able to systematically follow the information and the content. Bad visual hierarchy can create confusion for the learner.

Activity 3.2:

tarynshae — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 03:21:44 +0000

I used a number of multimedia principles in my course design. In line with the coherence principle, all extraneous words/pictures/sounds/information was omitted as I attempted to make the course and its content as succinct as possible. I proposed to use animation and narration in the online learning modules which were used in the first part of the course. On screen text was excluded however the assessment screens included still images and text and were presented simultaneously. I considered all of the multimedia principles in my course in order to maximise learning.

Activity 3.1:

tarynshae — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 03:16:30 +0000

In today’s e-learning context, multimedia is the means by which we view and use the tools that help us learn. Graphics, images, video, animation, sound, podcasts, etc are all multimedia mediums that we currently use in e-learning today. We use such means via the internet, via CD-ROMS, via DVD’s and also MP3’s. The use of multimedia in e-learning is constantly changing, due to both the nature of technological advances and also due to the dynamic and changing nature of e-learning.

Learning Theory

tarynshae — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 07:16:48 +0000

The learning theory that I will be applying to my unit of competence is Kolb’s Theory of Experiential Learning. Stemming from humanist and behavioural roots, this theory focuses on knowledge that is created through the transformation of experience. It is a cyclical approach that combines the concepts of experience, perception, cognition and behaviour to understand learning. As my e-learning course will be targeted towards people who are experienced teachers/facilitators but with no experience in facilitating e-learning courses, experience will be important for them from both a facilitating point of view and also from the point of view of being familiar with the technology. The use of feedback is also emphasised in this theory in order to change behavioural patterns and ways of thinking, so the aspect of feedback and evaluation as part of the unit of competence will also play an important part. While I originally intended to apply a blended learning approach of both humanist and cognitive, further research into theories led me to believe that this is the most appropriate.

NEW Unit of Competence

tarynshae — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 07:08:36 +0000

After further looking into my chosen unit of competence and attempting to make design recommendations for it in an e-learning context, as well as applying an appropriate learning theory to it, I realised my original choice was just proving too difficult as many of the skills and performance objectives were personal-based skills and understandings and this was hard to apply to an e-learning context. My new unit of competent, BSBEBU515A: Facilitate e-Learning, is much more appropriate and I chose this over other learning-based courses out of both interest and relevance in the workplace at present. I am very happy with this unit of competence and feel as though I can effectively apply all the relevant principles to it.

Unit of Competence

tarynshae — Wed, 28 May 2008 05:27:55 +0000

The unit of competence I have chosen is Manage own work and learning (CUECOR01B). Essentially, the unit is about learning self-management skills that are needed to perform effectively in the workplace and relates to both personal time management skills as well as the identification and management of personal learning needs. I thought it would be best to pick a unit of competence that I could relate to and understand and I feel as though this topic and context is relevant. It consists of 3 performance criteria:

Develop personal time management skills
Manage own learning
Receive and act constructively on personal feedback

I am unsure which theory will best suit my approach, but as this unit combines both the practical development of skills but also involves reaction to feedback and also forward planning, I am thinking maybe a blend of theories might suit best. More on this later!

To blog or not to blog

tarynshae — Tue, 06 May 2008 23:16:15 +0000

An article that recently caught my attention was on the Workforce website and titled ”Chief Blogging Officer Catching on with Corporations” http://www.workforce.com/section/00/article/25/50/77.html.

While it was the title that initially caught my eye, upon reading the article I discovered that not only is it about the technology of blogging but it is about when and where to use blogging and how to market it and use it for the correct purpose in modern organisations today, in particular Fortune 500 companies. It suggests that many people and companies are taking the approach of “We must start using this technology now!” without first researching on their clients and customers and communities and finding out what they want.

Essentially, it says while blogging can be an excellent tool to use, companies and orgnaisations should view blogging as a social media concept that can be used to benefit their brand. It just goes to show that tools such as blogging that we use now in a social and learning context today are now being used in a community engagement context within organisations. Who would’ve thought?!

A new use for social networking?

tarynshae — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:28:13 +0000

I came across a interesting article online a few days ago. After completing the last assignment on social networking sites and their use in a learning context, this article caught my eye. While not exploring social networking for purely a learning tool, it is interesting in that it explores a new form of social networking tool and how this software fits in amongst it’s rather popular competitors, such as MySpace, Facebook and to a lesser extent Bebo. It shows that technology really is being used for an increasingly diverese range of reasons by an increasingly diverse range of people!

http://news.smh.com.au/enthusiasts-find-big-is-not-always-best-with-social-networks/20080220-1t73.html

Activity 2.3:

tarynshae — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:10:03 +0000

Meaningfullness, as part of the Cognitive approach to learning, can definitely have an effect on learning. The fact that each and every person has the ability to create their own meaning based on the context and past experiences gives everyone the flexibility of learning and creating meaning in a way that is appropriate for them and that essentially enables them to better understand what is being taught/learnt. While the content or context may be the same, each learner can relate to it in a way that is meaningful to them. In e-learning, as much of the content is or can be self directed and autonomous, this means that individuals have the ability to make the content meaningful to them in the way they understand it best. This can allow the e-learner to learn more effectively.

Insight, to a lesser extent I believe, can also impact e-learning. As insight allows us to solve problems by looking at things from a different perspective through the restructuring and reorganising of different pieces of information, this can be applied to an e-learning context as in many instances of e-learning it can be modular, and by viewing it in this way a learner is able to relate information to the specific context or problem and percieving it in this way can lead to those “light blub” moments or moments of clarity. Learning in other more formal ways may not allow this to happen.

Advance organisers, who create a “scaffold of ideas” to understand the higher level or more general concepts before they learn and incorporate the more detailed pieces of information into their framework, in an e-learning context can learn effectively through the sequential learning of content in meaningful relation to previous concepts. This allows information and knowledge to build upon those already learnt. In e-learning, this can allow the advancement of skills over time and is also relevant when a learning process or context is long or involved.