Podcasting tools... free or very inexpensive!

Everyone seems to be talking about MP3's and Podcasting. You might have wanted to venture but were afraid of adding yet another bill, worry no longer. There are two services you can use, one for free and another very inexpensive. They both provide recording via the web and telephone, posting your podcasts to your web site, and access to podcasting communities.

These services are excellent ways to get started for those that heard about Podcasting but have not join this latest trend. Both services are easy to use and with plenty of new users coming on board you will not feel like an odd ball if you don't know how to use a feature.

So if you have something valuable to share, or just want your nonsense to be heard, try the links below. Hopefully after your initial trial you will find ways to apply this to your e-learning. Podcasting has good potential to complement other online educational delivery.

Odeo: a free audio podcasting service.

Audioblog: an inexpensive audio podcasting service (also offers video during its beta stage only.

Enjoy

Initial satisfacion vs. end results in e-learning.

Designing e-learning interfaces is always a challenge. Users seems to dislike long scrolling pages as much as they do large chunks of text. They also seems to want access to the content in a flexible learner centered manner. Yet, studies seem to indicate that users do not perform well when given a chance to rearrange and resize screens at will (see study quoted at the end of this posting).

The results from that study seem to have been confirmed by products created by this author where screen resizing was available but hardly ever used by users. Also parallel paths to content were said to be preferred but users seemed to often follow established sequences after searching for desired topics.

Another set of issues was found when providing bookmarking, note taking, and highlighting capabilities. While product designers asked for full featured note taking, with storage, note searching, and color coding, most users seem to have used the notes only in their basic form.

In conclusion, when designing e-learning products, start with the basic functionality. Test it with users and add enhancements only if used often and fully. Remember added functionality often results in an increased learning curve for the user. Also remember that as was found in the 2004 study quoted below, “satisfaction and user performance do not always correlate” as learners preformed better with interfaces that they stated were less desirable. It is not inconceivable that you will have to weigh whether you are shooting for initial perceived satisfaction or end goal achievement and results oriented satisfaction.

When it comes to paths to content, do provide a stated clear path, but do complement it with searching and the ability to jump forward and back without losing track of the reference to the suggested sequence. Remember learners that do start with independent tailoring often rejoin the suggested sequences.

A comparison of parallelism in interface design for computer-based learning environments, Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, Vol. 20, No. 5, October, pp. 360–367

Computer mediated vs. Face to Face, what's best?

Those involved in the delivery of e-learning, including this author, have claimed that computer-mediated-communication (CMC) and face-to-face (F2F) interaction are equivalent. This author was involved in the accreditation of the first program approved by the Middle States Association for delivery entirely online and proving the equivalent outcomes was part of that initial process. However, one instance can be an aberration and its important to continue to corroborate the findings.

A 2005 study (see reference below) has confirmed what we had stated to Middle States a decade earlier. Outcomes can indeed be equivalent even though more research needs to be performed to assess issues of greater score variance in the CMC case which appears to be due to prior acquaintance with the technology.

It was positive that many CMC learners noted that “this experience enhanced their communication skills, increased their awareness of technological challenges facing computer-mediated teams, and provided valuable experience for future job opportunities in industry.” While this is not the original intent or course objective it is a significant bonus derived from computer mediated learning and for this reason I encourage learners to participate in at least one e-learning course or training.

Ref:A COMPARISON OF GROUP PROCESSES, PERFORMANCE, AND SATISFACTION IN FACE-TO-FACE VERSUS COMPUTER-MEDIATED ENGINEERING STUDENT DESIGN TEAMS Whitman, Malzahn, Chaparro, Russell, Langrall, & Mohler. (2005) JEE 94 (3), pp. 327-333.

Information Literacy / Big6

Big6, and approach to teach information literacy developed by Mike Eisenberg and Bob Berkowitz, has become a widely used approach to teaching, especially in the area of information technology. The benefit of Big6 is that it focuses the learner on steps designed to bring efficiency and effectiveness to the learning process, especially Internet based information gathering. All to often people Google without a plan ending up overwhelmed with information. Big6 provides the process to build-in critical thinking and resulting effectiveness.

Big6 steps (from Big6.com)

1. Task Definition
1.1 Define the information problem
1.2 Identify information needed

2. Information Seeking Strategies
2.1 Determine all possible sources
2.2 Select the best sources

3. Location and Access
3.1 Locate sources (intellectually and physically)
3.2 Find information within sources

4. Use of Information
4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch)
4.2 Extract relevant information

5. Synthesis
5.1 Organize from multiple sources
5.2 Present the information

6.Evaluation
6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)
6.2 Judge the process (efficiency

Here are some resources you might be interested in:
Big6 for the Internet:
http://www.janetsinfo.com/big6info.htm

General Big6 information and useful links:
http://nb.wsd.wednet.edu/big6/big6_resources.htm

A form for students to keep track of the Big6 progress:
http://dewey.chs.chico.k12.ca.us/b6org.html

Free LMS access

I usually stay away from things that might sound like a promotion of a private business but in this case an exception is warranted. The reason for this exception is that there are few places where someone can try out teaching online and getting to understand and LMS.

If you've never taught online and want to try it before committing to a large job at your institution, try www.nuvvo.com. This outfit provides you free access to their LMS. An excellent chance to try things at no cost to you. Try teaching something, get feedback and improve your online teaching skills at no cost. Later, once you have polished your online teaching skills, you can even try making a few bucks.

Update 6/08: Nuvvo has been shut down due to upgrades but go to LearnHug.com.

G1:1 and $100 dollar computers, a world of opportunity!

The time when entire segments of the world's population could be ignored has passed. It is not only morally right to address the problems of the underpriviledged but the smart thing to do from the health, economic, and environmental point of view. There are now several proposals to address educational issues of the less afluent by using e-learning.

The G1:1 (Globally, one computer for one person) is one project focusing on providing information and educational access to via the internet. You can learn more about this iniciative by going to http://www.g1to1.org/

In addition, the Media Lab of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the World Bank, the United Nations, and corporate investors, will move to provide a $100 laptop to millions of school age children in developing countries. These inexpensive computers will not be sold, but will be distributed to schools though governmental organizations. You can learn more at the following sites:

E-Learning Africa
MIT Media Lab

Keep an eye on these initiatives. They have the potential to open a world of opportunity to millions!