Posted 2:36 PM by George Siemens
I posted a new article: A Learning Development Model For Today’s Students and Organizations. I'd appreciate any thoughts/comments.

Basically, what I try to communicate (in my convoluted way):

• The needs of learners have changed
  
• The needs of organizations have changed
  
• Current education models don't meet the "new" needs
  
• A model for learning is needed that is explorative, testing new concepts on a small level before organizational implementation.
  

Posted 7:30 AM by George Siemens
Knowledge Management in Instructional Design via Column Two
Quote: "Instructional designers engage in activities related to the planning and implementation of instructional and performance support solutions. Available tools and technologies influence the way in which instructional designers accomplish their tasks. Knowledge management represents a technology that is changing how instructional design professionals work. This article will review what instructional designers do, describe knowledge management, and indicate how knowledge management is influencing instructional design."
Comment: Certain articles, like this one, are valuable just for the title (and how they open doors to new perspectives). Unfortunately, the authors don't go into enough detail, and basically state: instructional design is often poorly structured, knowledge management is structured, though they use similar concepts...so they need each other.

Posted 7:19 AM by George Siemens
" Rajesh has a mock-up of a digital dashboard available. You can see where this is going. A portal of one. All data on the desktop. Simple, easy to customize, and powerful." (John Robb's Radio Weblog)
Comment: I had a look at a digital dashboard put together by Computer Services at RRC. Excellent...much potential. Essentially, in one screen, a user has access to the information they most often use - email, weather, news, documents, etc. Each component is treated as a "web part" and inserted into a web page. An institution can create a digital dashboard by department that is the same for all students - course info, access to learning management system (LMS), etc are all integrated into one page.

I made a brief (but unsuccessful) attempt to promote the concept of a student learning digital dashboard - LMS, instant messaging, content links, whiteboard, streaming media - all integrated into one page. No need to open several applications to achieve various learning tasks. I still think the integrated learning interface has potential...as a learner, I know I would use it. However, socially, the interface can be overwhelming to people not comfortable with technology.

Posted 6:55 AM by George Siemens
Rubric for Online Instruction via Distance-Educator.com
Quote: "The Committee for the Evaluation of Exemplary Online Courses (CEEOC) was formed to address the need for demonstrating quality in online instruction, and for setting some guidelines for developers of online teaching. The committee reviewed best practices, learning styles, and standards to develop a rubric for evaluating online courses or course components at Chico State."
Comment: A good basic rubric detailing: organization and design, instructional design and delivery, assessment and evaluation, appropriate use of technology, learner support.