Posted 8:38 PM by George Siemens
Several weeks ago, I wrote about what was needed in an organization in order for online learning to survive. Today I'll expand that by focusing on what is needed for technology adoption - especially by students and instructors. Here are some considerations in ensuring that technology is infused into learning (or an organization).

• Technology must be transparent. The tools used should enhance the completion of a task, not obscure it. As an example, many LMS' have a whiteboard feature...however, new online students have trouble figuring out how to use a threaded discussion. Perhaps, unless it is a math course, more complex tools like whiteboards shouldn't be used with new students. Part of transparency is "growing the student" over time...start small, add tools as competence increases.
  
• Integrate technology with tasks. This is critical. Students should do things using technology...assignments should require the use of tech. tools - PowerPoint presentation, Internet searches, discussion threads, etc.
  
• Do something. In my view, (this may explain my stress level!) wrong action is better than no action!! (because, at least I can learn from wrong action...). Motion creates interest. If "things are happening" (i.e. innovative applications) with technology, people notice...and interest is the starting point of motivation.
  
• Marketing. If technology potentials aren't marketed, no one knows. This evening Dave Gurney and I presented to a group at RRC...many didn't know how much had been done with streaming video...potential must be marketed.
  
• Change management (gee, have I said that before?!?...:-)). Resistance to technology has more to do with how we view change than it does with technology. Issues of resistance to change can derail any initiative in elearning (or technology). Common sense change management strategies are useful to help people (students) become comfortable with new tools.
  
  Zero Cost Elearning
  Quote: "An email game is the poor person's gateway to e-learning. Using this format, facilitators and players communicate with each other by sending electronic notes. All interactions are limited to low-technology text messages."
  
  Comment: Great article for promoting the value of simplicity. Not every elearning initiative needs to include simulations, online testing, interactive activities, and video. Sometimes, email works best. If you are new to elearning, perhaps this approach is a starting point, before jumping into a full online course.
  
  Emotion and Affect
  Quote: "...an error that those in the field of usability have made, including me. We looked solely at the cognitive aspect of usable."
  
  Comment: This is an interesting interview. Concepts discussed: value of fun/pleasure in design, robots (i.e. How do you teach a robot "frustration"? Answer: "The second level is comparison of expectations, and that's where frustration comes in. You build up repeated attempts to do a task with little or no progress towards completion -- a frustration index, if you like. You need a way of measuring progress towards task to compare with how much effort you're putting in.") cognitive processes, and affective processes.
  
  Predictors of Performance in the Virtual Classroom
  Quote: "The ability of instructors to identify at-risk cyber-students quickly is critical because the usual cues associated with student anxiety, inattentiveness or apathy are not present in the virtual classroom."
  
  Comment: Tackles a critical issue: How do we determine which students need extra help in an online environment? For that matter, in order to help a student, an instructor needs information - previous performance, frequency of course access, etc. How does privacy relate to this? Can too much responsibility be placed on an instructor?
  
  Words in Our Mouths?
  Quote: "Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have created the first realistic videos of people saying things they never said - a scientific leap that raises unsettling questions about falsifying the moving image."
  
  Comment:This can't be good. Did anyone see the Running Man (years ago...our good friend Arnie)? Talk about the potential to undermine trust in what you see.