Posted 10:18 PM by Steve
From Steve's Head

Potluck...

Hmmm...Potluck from Steve's head...sounds really inviting. I'm taking a bit of a change in format for this week's column...those of you who read this feature (is there anyone out there???) know that I like to group articles according to a theme. Since Steve's head is taking a break and heading for Italy for several weeks (Steve's mind is already there...body is ready to follow), I won't be contributing anything to the ERN newsletter for the next month. I figured this would be the ideal time to clear off several articles that have been sitting on my desk for the last little while, all patiently waiting for thematic company, but none seems to be coming. I guess the overarching theme for these is "e-learning topics I find interesting". I hope you find some of these interesting and potentially useful as well.

I hope you all have a great June, and when I get back I'll be ready to regale you with tales of the state of e-learning in Italy. (Who am I kidding?!? Bring on the cannoli!!!!)

Perfect Learner: An Expert Debate on Learning Styles

Quote: "The assumption is that we are at our most efficient as learners when information comes in aligned with the way we want to receive it. Based on this assumption, a state of optimum learning - or pedagogical nirvana, if you will - can be achieved by identifying individuals, or groups of individuals, with similar learning styles, then constructing learning activities around the curriculum that correspond to their style."

Comment: The viewpoints of a number of individuals versed in the theory and practice of learning styles, including Dave Kolb, who came up with the term. The article confesses that all of the participants in this debate are supporters of learning style, so there really is no negative viewpoint as to the value of learning styles. The article does contain a number of interesting ideas as to when and how to apply learning styles in education and training.

Mentored Learning: The Instructor's View

Quote: "My role as an online instructor makes the student-instructor relationship quite different from conventional classroom ways of interacting. The instructor-student relationship in the classroom is a restricted one and is mostly confined to the time spent in the classroom where most students have very limited direct interaction with the instructor...Online learning provides a much richer environment for exchange of information and ideas, because comments can be stored, shared and filtered far more effectively, by students on an as-needed basis."

Comment: The cynic in me says that this article is meant to convey the dedication and professionalism of Online-Learning.com's instructors. The pragmatist (opportunist?!?) says what a great way to see what the weekly routine of an online instructor looks like. This article provides that voyeuristic glimpse into a week in the life of an online instructor.

Model Behavior

Quote: "Designers use models in their e-learning programs to offer learners another way to take in information. The best classroom teachers use a combination of teaching methods that target the various learning types - visual, auditory, kinesthetic - in order to reach the greatest number of learners. The best e-learning programs emulate this technique, and models engage people who prefer to learn visually and who understand and retain information better when it is presented to them in that way. In addition, models offer all learners the chance to engage another part of their brains, and as visual cues, can help learners recall information."

Comment: This article does not exactly contain information that is "rocket science" - it is a basic overview of modeling information in a visual format. It is a good read because it might provide the inspiration needed to break up those text-heavy pages of information in online courses. Several different model formats are covered along with ideas for making them a little more interactive than static visuals. If you are interested in enhancing your course with some meaningful visual content, this article should be worth the investment of time.

Establishing Connections: Interactivity Factors for a Distance Education Course

Quote: "Adult learners bring prior knowledge and practical experience to the classroom, which can be tapped to enrich the learning experience. In a face-to-face classroom, instructors need to engage students in discussion; however, it is more difficult to do so in a web-based environment. Some instructors may think that students will become automatically engaged if a conference board is made available. Creating and facilitating discussions has proven to be more challenging than many instructors anticipate. One difference between face-to-face instruction and classes where students never meet is a need to know who is out there."

Comment: An interesting article that compares a course delivered traditionally with the same course delivered electronically, and the issues surrounding the learner-to-interface, learner-to-content, learner-to-instructor, and learner-to-learner interactions. The research discussed seems to bring up as many questions as it answers. One particularly valuable point made is that institutions that encourage instructors to develop online courses spend time, energy, and finances on teaching them how to incorporate technical elements into courses but little or no effort to think through why they would want to do so. Teaching staff the technical ins and outs of software is important - one needs to know the processes used to create course using whatever media are available. However, to not connect these hows to the more important whys helps to create courses that are overwhelming, disjointed, or just plain demotivating. What purpose will structuring a course in this fashion serve? Will adding a specific software feature enhance the quality of student learning or will it just be another bell or whistle that has been included simply to show that the technology is being "used"? Helping instructional staff to evaluate these potential pitfalls will be paid back multiple-fold through engaging, effective courses and well educated, highly satisfied learners.