Conclusion

The overall project was very successful, the individual modules designed are designed as such that it can be used independently as part of the orientation as well as all the modules logically embedded in the NCC orientation Emit site. These modules are designed used the most updated course materials and workbook and it should not need to be changed until any new changes happen in the course.

The evaluation and testing is something that needs bit more time and thus the modification is delayed until all feedbacks are gathered. The modification is to make the orientation more efficient and easily accessed.

As Huffaker suggest – through active engagement by using interactive and entertaining media, collaborative and cooperative activities, real world context, continuous feedback and monitoring progress. All these ways enhance the learning rather than as people think it is replacing the traditional way of teaching (Huffaker D, 2003).

It is also important to use technologies that is easy to access and use, and the technology should be able to handle the type of information that is going to be implemented in it. The technology used also plays a vital role in the users, whether it is user friendly and allows learners to participate and interact with each other. The orientation modules are kept as simple and easy to use to allow the learners to complete the orientation successfully.

I am extremely pleased with the learning out come while designing the project. Really enjoyed designing the screen capture simulation using Adobe Captivate and how easily it can develop such an interactive files for elearning courses. Had used Blackboard before, but tried out new features with blackboard and as well as wimba. Overall the development and combing the modules logically by using blackboard was a great experience and I am very happy with the out come.

Regards
Krishan

Adobe Captivate software

Adobe Captivate software.

This Adobe eLearning Suite software has become the essential toolset for instructional designers, content developers, and educators who develop professional eLearning content… Read More.

There are heaps of tools in it that can aid in developing very interactive content. I have decided to use it to show how to use digital drop box – to submit work to the assessor. In the course I am designing – students need to use the digital drop box in Blackboard quite regularly and this is one thing we have to show them during the orientation. I am trying to develop a project in which I can show them exactly how to log into Emit – and how to access digital drop box and submit and exercise.

This software seems to be really useful and I would recommend others to use them if they would like to create simulation of some sort. I have downloaded a 30 day trial version to do my assignment.

Regards
Krishan

Presentation plans

Initially the plan was to create videos – that would have been uploaded into blackboard for students to go through. Than at later stage we- started planning what to do with the videos – and it seems like – if one person is just talking in that video, it does become boring and students may loose interest in hearing it. So the plan has been changed to – instead of having videos with a person talking – we better have presentation in which we can have the voice explaining and the picture showing or demonstrating with animation to learners what is being explained. In this way the understanding on the other end would turn out to be better.

The presentation can also be done using Wimba presentation as well as PP. Wimba presentation allows you to browse through a website and include voice and text message along side with it. This would be very beneficial to get students into research type of work where its make it easier to explain what you expect them to be doing. Since the orientation is only for level 2 students, i really do not intend to put websites for them to browse through and do any such activities. But just as for a learning experience, I will upload a presentation on slideshare website – and link this site to the Wimba presentation, so that they can view the presentation as well as hear the voice output. Another think I have noticed is that the voice in Wimba presentation seems to be lot more clearer – it cuts the back ground noise. So recording seems to be pretty good.

Cheers

Krishan

Wimba Create

Wimba Create - is a very useful tool to use for designing elearning material. It can be a add-in in Microsoft word, and it allows to covert word docs into web pages... that are very easily uploaded into blackboard.

I am using it to display a few reading materials for sudents to make it easier for them to navigate through in an interactive way.
There are other features that i have not used in wimba create as yet. but i think it is really useful so far.

Regards
Krishan

Work in Progress

Have completed my presentations for the online orientation – and its looking great. I have used PowerPoint – to develop the presentation, and instead of using the built-in voice recorder to record the voice, I have recorded it separately and added it in the presentation. The PowerPoint built in voice recorder seems to record a lot of background noise, so it was not very clear. Have submitted the presentation for feedback and will be making necessary changes to it before publishing it. The only way I am thinking of publishing it is by putting the sound file together with the presentation in one folder and zip it before up loading it, not sure if that’s the best way – if anyone knows any other ways, do let me know.

Currently I am looking in Wimba Create – got it installed in my PC and exploring it at present. Will try and use it for a portion of my online orientation if possible.
I am a bit behind, trying to catch up and complete everything as soon as possible.

Cheers
Krishan

Wimba - can be used in designing the online course

Hi Guys
Just last week I attended a class on Wimba – by Lisa Ransom, and it was really interesting to see how we can use Wimba. The good thing is Wimba can be sued with blackboard in designing courses and it makes it a bit more interactive.

Some features are:
voice announcements
voice emails
voice-based discussion boards
voice presentations
Wimba Classroom
Wimba Create

Wimba Create can be loaded into you word processing programme – which allows you to covert word document into an interactive web pages – which can be loaded into emit …
For more information you can visit the Wimba site

Regards
Krishan

Designing the Blackboard

Designing the Blackboard
The design phase is going great – there seems to be more work involved in creating the structure of the information flow – so that its more logical for the students to follow and understand.

From the Elearning Guidelines the following 2 guidelines will be taken into consideration while designing this online module for the NCC orientation.

TD2 Do students get clearly defined learning objectives that assist them in focussing on their learning activities?

TD5 Has a representative sample of students tested the elearning materials and any necessary modifications been made?

The main purpose of the online orientation is to get the students to understand what are the objectives of the course and how to use the online tools in order achieve these learning objectives. TD2 looks into clearly defined objectives and how it can assist students on focussing on their learning outcomes.

TD5 – is the second phase – where once the online site is designed, it will be tested by a group of people and the comments will be noted for further modification of it.

Currently – the skeleton structure of the online site is nearly completed – and I will be adding on materials as soon as they are ready.

Regards
Krishan