Week 3:Learning Technology

Learning Technologies

A new automated staff information system was recently purchased by a major corporation and needs to be implemented in six regional offices. Unfortunately, the staff is located throughout all the different offices and cannot meet at the same time or in the same location. As an instructional designer for the corporation, you have been charged with implementing a training workshop for these offices. As part of the training, you were advised how imperative it is that the staff members share information, in the form of screen captures and documents, and participate in ongoing collaboration.

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        In this scenario, the major issues are time, interaction and collaboration between all staff members that are all located in difference parts of the world. Interacting among colleague is essential to improve the learning community. Educators and instructional designers have the opportunity to foster interaction and collaboration among learners by creating a learning community. Through the use of technology, interaction and collaboration are now attainable in both asynchronous and synchronous learning network (Beldarrain, 2006). There is a need for flexibility using technology tool features that will encourage collaboration in real-time or on demand.

        The recommendation I believe would be the best fit for this organization is using web conferencing. Web conferencing is an inexpensive tool that allows people in different locations to participate in sharing through presentation and screen sharing. It allows for effective and highly interactive meetings, training and events regardless of the locations of the presenter or participants. The presenter can pose questions to the participant and see who is answering the question. Web conferencing allows the presenter to upload slides, documents, and other graphics. The audio and visual components of holding a web conference, the format helps to increase the engagement of the conference attendees. The web conference meeting can be recording to review at a later date so that employees who missed the meeting or future employee can access the recording needed. Files can be transferred, view presentation and receive instructions is a way to review hand on instructions at this time. Web conferences services allow face to face to be viewed in real time all over the world.

        The U.S. Department of Defense and Defense information System Agency implements the use of web conferences to improve their collaboration among the staff. The Department of Defense enterprises were face with traditional barriers to collaborate with personnel working in different computing environments and interacting via a wide range of T-1, satellites and limited bandwidth channels (Adobe, U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Information Systems Agency, 2010). The solution for Department of Defense issues is to integrate via web interface that combines common task for web conferencing and instant message (IM) (Adobe, U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Information Systems Agency, 2010). They also implemented chat with presence and awareness technology to provide them with an XMPP-based. DISA also used Adobe Connect feature that will conduct communications among more than two parties. They used small and large meetings among personnel with hundreds of simultaneous connections. The use of Adobe Connect web conferencing for Department of Defense to more work in less time  (Adobe, U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Information Systems Agency, 2010). Smaller groups with subject matter experts can more quickly analyze a problem, arrive at a solution and recommend a plan of action to the larger group (Adobe, U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Information Systems Agency, 2010). Users can participate in e-learning modules to learn their system and take part in ongoing training. The user can instantly collaborate with anybody, anywhere without any complicated set up or download. In meetings, participants can take part in screen sharing, whiteboarding, polling, switching presenters and using VoIP. According to the Lieutenant Colonel Kurz, “Adobe Connect shows that Adobe is listening to its user base and is evolving its solutions to better meet the requirements of all groups that need to collaborate to accomplish goals” (Adobe, U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Information Systems Agency, 2010).

       Another example of web conferencing being successful in an organization is the City of Davenport, Iowa Fire Depart. The Iowa Fire Department has critical task to its operations, and safety of the community to train firefighters to act fast and properly. However, their resources are spread widely throughout the community that makes communication vital information and training difficult (Adobe, City of Davenport, Iowa Fire Department, 2010). The fire department is usually relying on information and training staff that were inefficient, slow, and expensive process. To resolve their issues, the department utilizes a web conference services from Adobe Connect to communicate and deliver efficient and easily available training for department personnel. The department began to deliver critical information and training to personnel by providing online training and meetings in real time or on demand. Using this technology, the commander of the fire department can now host regular scheduled online staff meetings from persistent meeting rooms created in the web conference software. The commanders can communicate with directly with each firehouse simultaneously, saving time and eliminating potential miscommunication (Adobe, City of Davenport, Iowa Fire Department, 2010). "We can record one message and share exactly the same information with everyone on each shift; we're able to maintain consistency says Lt. Mohr (Adobe, City of Davenport, Iowa Fire Department, 2010). Ultimately, this service enables the department to consistently deliver high quality, interactive training to firefighters without the hassle of time consuming resources planning and limit strain on training personnel. With the success of Iowa department Fire department, they are now offering its staff continuing education classes and certification courses for workplace safety.

      Therefore, with these examples that showcase how web conferencing can be successful in bring staff members all over the world together to improve their workplace, it can do the same thing or even more for the staff members in the scenario. It helps build learning communities for users participating in training, sharing screen captures, and documents. Web conferencing can bridge the gap through effective interaction and collaboration anytime and anywhere. By revamping their communication and training, the organization is able to deliver training and ongoing education classes without being a time consuming or costly venture.

EDU 6135 Distance Learning

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Learning at a Distance

 

         Distance learning has been around for a long time and is steadily growing and changing. It is becoming a popular choice to further a person professional education, mid-career degree and lifelong learning of all kinds. It can be found in any sectors and in many countries. It began in Europe when instructions were given by correspondence study through audiotapes and lessons that were sent through the mail (Simson,Micheal, et. al, 2012).
       Over the years, the meaning of distance learning has change. The key factor that has caused the meaning of distance learning to change over the years is technology. As technology change from using videotaped lectures that was used in most university to live video that can be seen over any medium has contributed to the changing of the meaning of distance learning. While distance learning is becoming a large sector of higher education institution, it is a way that colleges and universities sustain growth (Moller,L., et. al, 2008). Today, the internet and compressed video has help modify the meaning of distance learning. This allows distance learning to take place in real time. The meaning of distance learning can vary depending on one’s’ knowledge and profession. Learners have the ability to use any Web 2.0 technology to enhance their own knowledge in any content area.
        Before I thought distance learning was learners using technology to further knowledge through the use of video lectures and other resources that can be obtain online. Learners would watch the instructional video or read from their course text material at their home. The instructional learning was self pace. Also, I thought distance learning could be used in educational institutions that were tradition and nontraditional settings.
       However, I now have a deeper understanding of distance learning. I think distance learning is the practice of knowledge being transfer to learners from the instructor that is separated by time as well as distance using technology. The learner can study in their own time and pace. Distance learning can be done by utilizing computers, the internet and interactive videos. It provides learners with flexibility that gives them the consideration of their work and family commitments that they would not have it there were in a traditional institution (Simson, Micheal, et. al, 2012). I have realized how I have taken part in distance learning as an educator at my school. Within the last year, my school has been implementing common core standards and the new teacher evaluation system. I have participated in live webinars where I was able to ask questions or share comments.
      In all, distance learning provides the opportunity to widen intellectual horizon as well as the chance to improve and update professional knowledge. As distance learning continues to evolve, it will provide more resources for students and the working population (Simson,Micheal, et. al, 39). The future of distance learning needs to change to have employees and students to compete on a global scale. All sectors will incorporate new media of higher technology as part of their course work. As many developing and developed countries use distance learning, it will become more culturally diverse that will be more integrated into education. The future for distance learning also provides factors such as competition that will lead organization to compete with educational institutions including K-12 schools.

Moller,L., Foshay, W.,& Huett,J. (2008). The evolution of distance education:Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 2: Higher Education). Tech Trends. 52(4), 66-70.


Simson,Micheal, Smaldino, Sharon, Albright, Micheal, Zvacek,Susan. (2012). Chapter 2: Definitions, History, and Theories of Distance Education. In Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundation of Distance Education (5th ed., pp. 32-41). Boston: Pearson.