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

Project Milestones

Prepare a skeleton Structure of the Orientation Process – 30 March
Create the LMS – using blackboard – prepare the overall structure of the whole orientation process - 15 April
Prepare Presentations – voice or without voice – 25th April

Prepare videos – at least 3 small videos
- Video for welcome and introduction to the course – 5th May
- Video for explaining the course outline – 15th May
- Video for concluding the whole orientation – 25th May

Upload all the materials required – including the presentation and videos created – 5 June
Do a trial run – submit to other facilitators for feedback – 10 June
Make alteration as need be after feedbacks – 12 June
Prepare a report – June 18th
Present the project and the report - June 18th

This is the plan – hoping things will go accordingly – not so sure about the videos will fit in during the time I have chosen – since I have to get the programme leader to take her time out and as well as the technical team for doing the video – give and take , hoping it will be done around that time. I am based out of campus – and have to do this entire thing on campus. So have to set up some date and time that is suitable for everyone.

If any changes in the plan - will update :)

Cheers
Krishan

Planning and Learning Outcomes

What do you want to do?
I am planning to design an online orientation for the National certificate in Computing for Level 2 and 3 students – who are studying part-time and distance learning.

Why?
The old process was conducted face to face with students – where the facilitators go through the orientation step by step together. The design that has been planned – should allow students to go over it in their own pace and cover the same materials.

This course is open entry and intake is every month – and facilitators currently conduct face to face orientation each month – where they repeat a lot of the same information every time. By creating and online orientation will allow users to be able to cover all the necessary materials for the orientation in their own pace and time suitable to them. Hence taking off some work load from facilitators each month for the orientation.

What are the learning outcomes/project outcomes?
Project Outcome: it will provide a more efficient way of conducting orientation on monthly basis. It will save a lot of facilitator’s time on repeating the same information over and over. Allow learners to do the orientation at a session more convenient to them. Etc
Learning outcome: Designing of a LMS – improving my skills. Incorporating Videos and presentations to make it interactive. I have no experience with videos as yet – so looking forward to learning how to get this done.

Why are they important at this time?
At present a lot of students are delayed from starting a course – due to the orientation being compulsory for them to attend and orientation are done on fixed dates and times. Learners can make full advantages of doing an online orientation at a more convenient / flexible time and hence the system can incorporate online orientation together to ease the work load of the facilitators.

Does it require a budget?
Currently am not sure if I would require a budget – of course I will need to get some videos done with the help of Dave Snell – not sure if this will cost money?

Does it require approval and from whom?
I have got approval from my Programme Leader, Cherie Wright– for whom I am designing this project for and with Oriels guidance it should be fine :)

What is the underpinning literature and practice that you can draw on?
Just like any online materials – to make it a good learning experience for the learners – the design should take care of keeping the materials interactive and informative as well. Will use the Elearning Guidelines as a resource while working on this project.

How are you going to go about it?
Break the orientation process into small modules , and work with each module as a milestone towards the whole project.

What are the key stages?
- Break down the orientation into different modules.
- Need to take videos of different modules explained by the programme leader and post it at different stages of the orientation.
- Prepare presentations that will aid this video – this could be with voice.
- Prepare a LMS – (most likely to use Blackboard) and upload all this orientation materials in a logical sequence for users to follow through.

What is it going to look like at the end?
Orientation for NCC level 2 and 3 – Online Session. (It will consist of everything that is said and done during a face to face orientation)

Who are your support people?
Cherie Wright – Program Leader, Oriel and Dave Snell. (Freeb Facilitators for comments and trial out)

What help do you need from your project supervisor/staff development unit/??
LMS – Acess and with Videos (Equipment and camera man)

Who can give you feedback?
Cherie Wright – Program Leader, Oriel and Dave Snell. (Freeb Facilitators for comments and trial out)

When would that be appropriate?
Through our the semester – for each milestone.

How will you reflect on the ongoing process?
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