WK 3 Application

As an instructional designer for a major corporation who has purchased a new automated staff information system, I would choose to implement a training workshop across six regional offices using either a Course Management System (CMS) or a Wiki.  Since this implementation will take place across several different offices, the information contained within the training program will need to include updated information that staff members can share with others as they also complete the training and the use of a CMS and/or Wiki would allow for this to occur. 

With a CMS, there would be several areas in which employees could post any screen shots, documents, or just FYI information for employees who complete the training after them.  A CMS could house a Discussion Board, collaboration area, live classroom, and file management areas that would allow for the sharing of this type of information as well as the actual training course.  Employees would be able to take the course at their leisure as well, which would allow for staggered training, and an email could be generated to employees who have previously participated in the course to let them know there have been updates.

CMS’s are good for educational training activities, but can also be quite useful for any type of training.  CMS’s offer great benefits for training because “students need this kind of structure and detail to help them stay organized and on task” (Simonson).

Blackboard is a CMS that I am highly familiar with as I used it throughout most of my undergraduate career as a distance learner.  The website http://www.blackboard.com/Markets/Higher-Education-(1)/Client-Stories.aspx provides several different success stories and examples of how this CMS provided the much-needed tools for their clients.  Reading through these accounts of client appreciation gives me the reassurance I need that a CMS is the right choice for this training course.

With a Wiki, a training module could be uploaded to the wiki allowing the participants to take the training course, then offer suggestions in an additional area that will be designated for such.  A wiki would be my second choice behind a CMS because I believe a CMS has more to offer; however, a wiki could be an adequate way to conduct such training and allow for updates because they “can be an excellent tool for collaborative online writing assignments and group activities compiling information in a single online resource” (Simonson).

Wiki’s are still an emerging technology that has a great deal to offer learners.  The website http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/webbuilding/archives/page9341.cfm provides valuable information on how some non-profit organizations have been successful using wiki’s: “collaborative Web sites that allow users to create and edit online content without requiring extensive technical skills” (Tech Soup). 

References

Blackboard. (21, January 2012). Retrieved from http://www.blackboard.com/Markets/Higher-Education-(1)/Client-Stories.aspx

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

Tech Soup. (21, January 2012). Retrieved from  http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/webbuilding/archives/page9341.cfm

Distance Learning Mind Map

Defining Distance Learning

The computer evolution came to fruition when I was in high school and I can still remember taking my first computer class.  After graduating and starting business school, I remember being very intrigued by computers and what they had to offer for the future of business.  Never would I have imagined the force they would prove to be in today’s technological world but I am so glad that they peaked my interest at an early age!

Even though distance learning has apparently been around for ages, it did not become an enormous success until the last ten years or so.  I do recall seeing distance learning classes such as studying from home via mail programs years ago, but current-day distance learning has become so much more.  For me, I truly believe it will become common-place going forward and we will see many more ways in which distance learning will enhance all ages of education.

Before starting this course, my definition of distance learning would be exactly what I consider distance learning to be – completing my education from a distance.  I have completed my entire higher education through distance learning via the internet and plan to use this type of learning to help others learn from a distance going forward. 

While I understand there have been different types of distance learning available for many years, the current evolution of distance learning appears to be taking off way better than prior attempts.  “Edwards uses the term open learning to describe a new way of looking at education in a quickly changing and diverse world” (Simonson) and I couldn’t agree more.  One of the reasons I believe this is true is due to the technological advances we have seen in the past twenty years, particularly in the last five to ten years.  Modern day technology makes it incredibly easy to do and learn practically anything from a distance, and I believe these advances will only increase.  As we see technology continue to grow, distance learning will likely grow right along with it and we may see increases in distance learning from elementary school on.  I think the only draw-back from this is that children will have a harder time adapting their social skills, but I do think it is a very likely possibility for future generations.

For people who do not like technology or who do not wish to familiarize themselves with technology, there could be many challenges in the future; however, children are growing up today with computers and do not realize there was a time when computers were not a daily staple in their households.  The future generations will become increasingly more adaptable to technology and this will allow for may more advances in technology for education and career choices.

My future vision for distance learning is that more people warm up to the idea and begin to realize that an education is an education is an education.  Being in a face-to-face environment does not necessarily give you a better education; in fact, many could argue that being able to successfully complete a program through distance learning means that you are more independent and smarter because you did not have as much guidance.  Distance learning is exactly what it implies – learning from a distance, with or without extra guidance.

References:

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

Distance Learning Intro

Hello everyone!  My name is Shannon Reynolds and I am currently seeking my Master's Degree in Instructional Design and Technology!  I started this blog as part of a class project and hope to be successful at both blogging and IST!  :-)