Posted 7:50 AM by George Siemens
Privacy
Quote: "More than 14 million Americans are under continual electronic surveillance by their employers, who not only watch e-mail, chats, and Web traffic but also look into employee files...Most of the time, however, companies watch their workers hoping to nip problems in the bud."

Comment: This article is in the theme of an article I posted last week on privacy. Once again, this is a good read, offering many practical suggestions for keeping protecting your privacy. Quite often, however, the problem with privacy is not "them" (you know, the government, the corporations, the other evil empires) - the problem lies with employees/consumers who aren't cautious and misuse/abuse the Internet. For some, all it takes is a promise of a "free car!" or "new anti-aging cream", and they cough up all kinds of personal data. Common sense applies whether using the corporate intranet...or purchasing a product online...

Integrating Functional Skills into Web Courses
Quote: "I had to find a way of combining functional skills with Web-based instruction that would measure performance and learning outcomes for the hands-on components of technical courses."

Comment: I completely agree with the basic premise of this article - technical skills can be taught online (preferably when combined with a face-to-face component). I've taught a dining room skills course online several times. The theory behind the skills is delivered online...and practical skill assessment is done in person - more convenient for the student and the instructor.

I had a quick look at the course the author designed (passwords are included in the article). I'm not impressed. The course looks hastily designed, and lacks instructional design. The same course could have been moved online, without much extra time, if an instructional design model would have been followed...and the result would be a better learning experience. Perhaps I'm cynical because the author writes about a field that I instruct in...(Important point to consider - as solid as the concepts the author writes about, the course falls short. I guess it is easier to voice philosophies than it is to live by them...hmm...note to self :)


Techknowlogia
Good resource site...publishes a series of papers quarterly. Need to register a password to access the articles. In case you care: "TechKnowLogia is an international online journal that provides policy makers, strategists, practitioners and technologists at the local, national and global levels with a strategic forum."

Computer Human Values
Quote: "Computers have enabled cultures and individuals to express themselves in new and unexpected ways, and have enabled businesses to transform how, where, when and even what business they do. However, this rosy outlook has come at a price. Computers have become more frustrating to use. In fact, the more sophisticated the use, the application, the interface and the experience, the more important it is for computers and other digital devices to integrate fluidly into our already-established lives without requiring us to respond to technological needs. Also, the wider-spread these devices, the more socially-agile they need to be in order to be accepted."

Comment: Good points made here...technology needs to be nearly non-existent in the eyes of the user in order for it to be adopted widely. How does this relate to elearning? Course planning and design should start and end with the student. Difficult login, confusing navigation, lots of plug ins, many different tools for new "onliners" (i.e. using chat, white board, discussion, e-groups, etc. in intro online courses) make for an overwhelming environment for students. Technology should be an enabler of learning...not a barrier.