• Home
  • About
Design of Knowledge
Ideas about 21st Century Teaching and Training

View my page on Education 3.0

  •  

    August 2008
    M T W T F S S
    « Jul    
     123
    45678910
    11121314151617
    18192021222324
    25262728293031
  • Archives

    • August 2008
    • July 2008
    • June 2008
    • May 2008
    • April 2008
    • March 2008
    • February 2008
    • January 2008
    • December 2007
    • November 2007
    • October 2007
    • September 2007
    • August 2007
    • July 2007
    • June 2007
    • May 2007
    • April 2007
    • March 2007
    • February 2007
    • January 2007
    • December 2006
    • October 2006
    • September 2006
  • Ed News

    • : e-LearningNow :
    • Abel Newsletter
    • Academic Commons -
    • ADLNet.org Event RSS Feed
    • ADLNet.org General News RSS Feed
    • Australian Flexible Learning Framework news
    • BBC News | UK News | Education | World Edition
    • Blogscholar Syndication
    • BoardBuzz: NSBA’s Daily Weblog
    • CETIS: Standards in Education Technology
    • Chronicle.com - Today’s News
    • CNN.com - Education
    • Dgroups: Recent Resources
    • Distance-Educator.com’s Daily News
    • EdNA Home Page Headlines
    • eSchool News Top Stories
    • Ferl Newsfeed
    • Gurteen Knowledge-Log
    • IEEE Learning Technology Standards Committee
    • Innovate
    • Inside Higher Ed
    • JISC e-Learning Focus
    • Kineo Big Ideas
    • Kineo News
    • Latest Education News From Around the Web — ZDNet
    • Latest Issue of SourceOECD Education & Skills
    • Latest News
    • News - Ed
    • Nouvelles de la Télé-université
    • Online Learning Update
    • OpenCourseWare Consortium News
    • OSS Watch Announcements
    • OWL Institute - Open Education Resources
    • Recent Items
    • Sakai Project News
    • Scholarly Electronic Publishing Weblog (Atom/RSS)
    • Schoolforge News-Journal
    • Socrates Technological University
    • Training Day
    • U.S. Department of Education
  • Ed Tech

    • 2 Cents Worth
    • 42/1
    • 43 Folders
    • 7 Days and More
    • ::: The EdTech Advantage :::
    • A Difference
    • A poke with a sharp stick
    • A Teacher’s Life
    • Abject Learning
    • ACRLog
    • adult and community e-learning: uk [ace:uk]
    • adult literacy meets technology (AL-T) - technology as literacy
    • Adventures in Educational Blogging
    • Ageless Learner Blog
    • Alan November Weblog
    • Andy Carvin’s Waste of Bandwidth: The DDN Edition
    • Archer central
    • Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net
    • Artichoke
    • AssortedStuff
    • ATS Blog
    • Auricle
    • b.cognosco
    • B.Mann Consulting - Technology Consulting in Vancouver
    • BABSONKNOWLEDGE.ORG
    • Ben Werdmuller : Weblog
    • bgblogging
    • Black Belt Productivity
    • blog of proximal development
    • Blogging IT and EDucation
    • botts’ tafe place
    • Brad Jensen’s Posts
    • Bud the Teacher
    • Central Ranges LLEN News
    • Changing the game?
    • Chris Correa
    • Christopher D. Sessums : Weblog
    • CIDER
    • CogDogBlog
    • Cognitive Dissonance
    • Communication Nation
    • Computer Science Teacher - Thoughts and Information from Alfred
    • Connect Learning, with David Warlick
    • connect.educause.edu - Technology In Academia — Connect @ EDUCA
    • considering education
    • Couros Blog
    • CU-Online
    • Dan Atkins on CLEAR
    • Dangerously Irrelevant
    • Dave Tosh : Weblog
    • David Davies’ Weblog
    • DEOS-L
    • Desire2Blog
    • Digital Chalkie
    • Digital Latchkey
    • DJ Alchemi
    • Donald Clark Plan B
    • e-Clippings (a division of blogoehlert)
    • E-Learning Queen
    • E-Portfolios for Learning
    • Ed-Tech Insider
    • EdBlogger Praxis
    • Edge Perspectives with John Hagel
    • editThisPage News
    • EdTechPost
    • Edu RSS Search Results
    • edu.blogs.com
    • EduBlog Insights
    • Education/Technology
    • Education/Technology
    • Educational Development
    • Educational Technology
    • Educational Technology That Talks - EdTechTalk - EdTechTalk
    • Educational Weblogs
    • EDUCAUSE RSS | Recent Recent Library Submissions Listings
    • edureflections
    • EduResources Weblog–Higher Education Resources Online
    • Edutopia
    • eGram@sd40.bc.ca
    • eLearn
    • eLearning Blog
    • eLearning Technology
    • elearning-reviews.org: new reviews
    • elearning2.0 [main content + filecasts]
    • elearningpost
    • eLearnopedia
    • elearnspace
    • Explorations in Learning
    • FLOSSE Posse
    • Forum on Information Technology and Research Universities
    • Golden Swamp
    • Graham Glass, etc.
    • Half an Hour
    • Harold Jarche
    • HeadspaceJ: Instructional Design and Technology Blog
    • heyjude
    • Ideas and Thoughts from an EdTech
    • IDxchange
    • incorporated subversion
    • incsub - online community projects and publications
    • Informal Learning Blog
    • Inter/National Coalition for Electronic Portfolio Research blogs
    • Internet Time Blog
    • Ipseity
    • iSean
    • IT Forum
    • iterating toward openness
    • J-blawg
    • JABET
    • Jane’s E-Learning Pick of the Day
    • jg’s ramblings
    • Joan Vinall-Cox : Weblog
    • Joho the Blog
    • Kairosnews - A Weblog for Discussing Rhetoric, Technology and Pe
    • Lanny on Learning Technology
    • learndogpup
    • Learning in Hand
    • learning.now
    • Liberal Education Today
    • little train
    • Lydia Arnold’s Blog
    • Mark Berthelemy’s Connections
    • markhemphill.com
    • McGee’s Musings
    • McToonish
    • Michelle’s Online Learning Freakout Party Zone
    • Mike Klonsky’s Small Talk
    • Miles Berry : Weblog
    • Mobile Learning
    • monika’s w e b l o g
    • Moodle Journal
    • Moodlebug
    • Moving at the Speed of Creativity
    • Multiple Intelligences
    • Musings about Teaching High School, Social Computing and Ed. Tec
    • News Forum
    • NewsTrolls ETrolls
    • Nine Shift
    • NOSMeLD
    • OLDaily Audio
    • OUseful Info
    • Parkin’s Lot
    • Passion, People and Principles
    • Penn State Virtual Worlds
    • Playing with Technology
    • Practical Theory
    • PubSub: Stephen Downes
    • Random Walk in Learning
    • Reality CheckED
    • Reflections of a Techie
    • Reflexions
    • Remote Access
    • Rick’s Café Canadien
    • Rik Abel
    • Robert Paterson’s Weblog
    • Sarah’s Blog
    • Scott Sorley’s Education Technology Guidebook
    • Scott Wilson’s Workblog
    • SEGA Tech
    • Shirley: journal
    • Simon Willison’s Weblog
    • Smelly Knowledge - Exploring the depths of learning, identity, a
    • Social & Active e-learning
    • spokenwordmatters News
    • Stephen Powell
    • Stephen’s Web ~ by Stephen Downes ~ Edu_RSS Most Recent - RSS ol
    • Steve Hargadon
    • Steve Lee : Weblog
    • Steve’s “LMS” Blog
    • Stievie’s adventures in e-Learning
    • StigmergicWeb
    • still reading
    • Student Self Directed Learning
    • T+D Blog
    • Teach and Learn Online
    • Teach42 - Education and Technology, by Steve Dembo
    • Teachable Moment
    • Teaching 2.0
    • teaching and learning
    • Teaching Generation Z
    • Teaching Hacks.com
    • Teaching in the digital age.
    • teaching.mrbelshaw.co.uk
    • Technologic
    • Technology Integration in the Classroom
    • TechSmith Blog
    • The Current Events in Education
    • The Education Bazaar
    • The Educational Mac
    • The Educational Technology Site: ICT in Education — Headlines
    • The Experience Designer Network
    • The Illuminated Dragon
    • The Learned Man!
    • The Learning Circuits Blog
    • The NOSE: Information Technology in Higher Education
    • The Open Classroom
    • The PLE Blog
    • The Savvy Technologist
    • The Social Software Weblog
    • The Stingy Scholar
    • The Teaching Life
    • The Wales-Wide Web
    • think:lab
    • Thot
    • Thoughts from a Technospud
    • TLN Teacher Voices
    • TravelinEdMan
    • Tuttle SVC
    • twopointouch
    • Virtual Canuck
    • waxlyrical
    • Weblogg-ed
    • WeblogsInEducation News
    • wiley.ed.usu.edu - thinking
    • Will at Work Learning
    • WiseWordPress
    • Wolfie’s e-blog
    • Write Technology
    • XplanaZine
Aug 08

Training isn’t Broken

opinion No Comments »

The latest issue of T+D has an article claiming that training is broken because it doesn’t deliver results as promised.  There is a kernel of truth in the article but the case is overstated.  There is nothing wrong with modern training methods that use active learning and collaborative tools to deliver the content.  But what is causing the failure of training is the support of the company after the training.  The authors argue for performance systems that deliver “just-in-time” training as a solution.

That is a good idea but again, I see the need for follow-through management which was championed in Wick, Pollock, Jefferson, and Flanagan’s Six Disciplines of Breakthrough Learning. I believe this will fix whatever ails training. :-)

Aug 05

Are Blogs and Wikis all there is to Educational Technology?

Learning 2.0, Web 2.0 Teaching, e-learning, education, educational technology, learning No Comments »

Had lunch with a colleague who just came back from the Campus Technology conference in Boston. Sounded like a great time and there are just wonderful things happening in educational technology. But, everything still seems to be either a variation on blogs, wikis, Moodle, or Second Life. Where are the really new groundbreaking tools?

Aug 04

Evidence-Based Training has a new home

evidence-based practice No Comments »

I built Research Based Training because I mistakenly thought Evidence Based Training was taken.  But it is not and now the Evidence Based Training Ning Network is up and running at http://ebtraining.ning.com/.  See you there! :-)

Aug 01

Join the Discussion about Evidence-Based Training

Learning 2.0, training No Comments »

It started with Kruse’s article on the need for evidence-based training and continued with Ruark’s article in T+D.  Then, I read Christensen’s Disrupting Class in which he details in Chapter 7 the need for better education research.  After I read Clark and Mayer’s e-Learning and the Science of Instruction: Proven Guidelines for Consumers and Designers of Multimedia Learning, I was inspired to create an online network to begin the movement for evidence-based training.  So, like most people, I went to Ning.com and created a social network - Research Based Training.  Please join the conversation.  And if you are building your own network and resources for evidence-based training, please tell me so we can link to you.

Jul 31

Blogs, Wikis, and Second Life in the College Classroom

PowerPoint, Web 2.0 Teaching, blogs, e-learning, education, educational technology, learning, second life, traditional instruction, wikis No Comments »

Gave my presentation on using blogs, wikis, and Second Life for college teaching and learning to the second Camp Delphi session for new online teachers.  Some interesting comments from the participants:

1.  What exactly is the difference between a blog and a discussion board?

My answer:  There are similarities but I find blogs easier to use because of the ability to center comments around a posting and the archive ability is easier to use than searching discussion boards.

2.  What is the value of the wiki in the classroom?

My answer:  It makes it easier to blend resources (video, text, photos, etc.) in a wiki page thus making it easier to access disparate resources and show their connection to each other.

3.  Why is Second Life so much like real life in that people tend to make a virtual classroom where you sit and watch PowerPoints?

My answer:  Second Life is still new and people are still exploring the possibilities.  It’s like the early films which essentially were recordings of stage plays.  It wasn’t until some filmmakers started to see the narrative possibilities of film (such as time-lapse, focusing in on action, special effects) that the medium came into its own.

So, how did I do?  How would you have answered these questions?

Jul 29

Connecting with James Burke: The Knowledge Web

Web 2.0 Teaching, educational technology No Comments »

I grew up on James Burke’s Connections programs and loved the way how he showed that even the most obscure historical events were connected to each other.  This and Cosmos were the two most influential programs in my life.  So, I am especially excited to see Burke’s latest project - The Knowledge Web:

“The Knowledge Web is an interactive learning tool, an online resource that enables users to explore the history and creation of ideas. Users journey through a rich, three-dimensional database of knowledge, made up of thousands of history’s key people, places, and inventions, interlinked in thousands of ways, to discover the remarkable serendipity behind humankind’s tireless commitment to invention and innovation.”

They are accepting educators as beta testers.  This is a remarkable opportunity and I am seriously thinking of jumping in.  Here’s the video.

Jul 28

Debategraph - Open Public Dialogue

Learning 2.0, Mind Maps, Web 2.0 Teaching, e-learning, education, educational technology, learning, mindmapping, visual communication, wikis No Comments »

This has amazing potential for teaching! A visual organizer for students to develop their critical thinking skills and to better understand the great debates.  What a great use for wikis and social networking.

Jul 25

Out all next week at a conference

Uncategorized No Comments »

Although I may do some test audio blogging from my cell phone.

Jul 23

Google’s Knol has launched

Web 2.0 Teaching, blogs, wikis No Comments »

More than a blog posting but less than a wiki - Knol.

Jul 17

What’s Changed in Educational Blogging?

Web 2.0 Teaching, blogs, education, educational technology, video, wikis No Comments »

Came across this old personal clipping from EdTechPost: a matrix of uses for blogs in education posted back in 2003.  Since that translates to about 50 years in Internet Time, I wonder if Scott’s matrix still holds true.  It does for me (with some additions based on wikis and the rise of personal video) but does it hold true for you?

Jul 15

The Vital Difference Between Content and Context

Learning 2.0, Long Tail, Web 2.0 Teaching, collaboration, e-learning, education, educational technology, learning No Comments »

Jarche writes an interesting post about the difference between content and context.  According to him (which he cites from another source), “content” comes from the “main information nodes” (created by professionals and sophisticated amauters) while “context” is what users generate as they interact with content.  I can see this in things like the Amazon.com reviews where the content is the book listing and description and the context is the user reviews.  But, in cases like Wikipedia, I believe it is harder to distinguish between content and context. An even more ancient example would be the Talmud which seems to be context that has become content.

The importance of distinguishing between content and context is that good content encourages more context.  Thus, content providers should not fear the stealing of their content because what is happening is actually the creation of context which depends on even more content to thrive.  This reminds me of George Lucas’ decision to encourage fan-created context around his Star Wars content which increases the demand for even more original Star Wars content.

Jarche predicts that this difference is the key to the killer app in education which I wholeheartedly agree.  As more universities embrace active learning and Web 2.0 educational tools, they are finding that the better classes are where the students and teachers cocreate the learning.

Jul 11

Pocket Video - The Saga Continues . . .

Web 2.0 Teaching, e-learning, e-portfolios, education, educational technology, pocket video, video No Comments »

The Pocket Video project is going well after we hit a snag.  With our first camera, we were able to capture some great test videos.  The problem was using the university’s email system to get the videos out to the various teachers and students.  Even with the relatively small size of the videos, we quickly overloaded email inboxes.  We also thought some more about the process of capturing, organizing, and storing videos which led to the realization that we would quickly overwhelm the teaching assistants with work.

Our solution was to buy a slightly-more expensive Pocket Video camera that could store videos on SD cards.  This means that each student would be responsible for their own videos and we can set up the e-portfolio system to be self-managed.

That is the thing with innovation; it’s always a bumpy road. :-)

Jul 09

Cool New E-Portfolio Tool and Wiki Tool

Web 2.0 Teaching, collaboration, e-portfolios, educational technology, personal learning environments, wikis No Comments »

Courtesy of Harold Jarche:

Mahara is an open Source E-Portfolio tool which integrates well with Moodle through the single sign-on system.  What I especially like about this tool is the use of views to determine what parts of your portfolio can be viewed by who.  Thus, you can have one view that is geared toward business clients while another view can be for an academic audience.  Very neat feature!

The second tool, Deki Wiki, is a wiki tool which features either a free download or a free hosted service.  It’s main advantage seems to be that it integrates well with Google, Live Office and Flickr.  Judging from the free hosted service, this Wiki appears robust enough for a small training or education class.  Based on the demos, the free download product offers more features.

Jul 07

Researching Informal Learning

informal learning No Comments »

Something that amuses is the juxaposition of articles in a magzine.  For example, in the July 2008 edition of T+D there is a great article on the need for a research phase in ADDIE (the training model of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation).  Why the need for research?  Because only research can provide accountability and that other professions have adopted the model of “evidence-based practice” (EBP).  That means that their is continuing and rigorous research that guides and validates the practices of the field.  As Ruark (the author) argues, the learning and development has relied on technology to justify its practices with just enough research to give the appearance of legitimacy.  To turn learning and development into an EBP, Ruark suggests the following four steps:

  1. Form a research consortium.
  2. Institute research criteria.
  3. Use incentives.
  4. Implement practice-based research.
  5. Collaborate.

This will put the science of learning and development on the same level of technological advances in the field which will give greater credibility to the practice of training and development.

Ironically, the next article after this is an announcement from ASTD on a survey about informal learning in the workplace.  Even though there was no consensus on how to define informal learning, ASTD concluded that informal learning is highly prevalent.  But the examples they give are more on how employees use technology such as Google and social networking sites to find and exchange information, place televisions in common areas, encourage employee-created podcasting, and internal wikis.  Low-tech examples included shared lunches and rearranging the office furniture.  Essentially, anything that isn’t “easily recognizable as formal training and performance support” is considered informal learning.

As any beginning researcher is taught, before you can study a phenomenon, you have to define it or at least develop some scope of the subject.  And this is especially important if you are going to argue the alleged benefits of informal learning over formal learning.  Otherwise, you cannot legitimately make claims such as “examination of recent trends suggests that it [informal learning] is the natural learning complement to a world that is increasingly on-demand” when the first part of your sentence admits that there are “difficulties inherent with encouraging, regulating, or even defining the nature of ‘informal’.”

Viewed against Ruark’s article, this is clearly the case where the perceived benefits of new technologies are obscuring the actual effects of a new learning technique.  It is good that ASTD is going to research informal learning but they need to approach it with a better definition and a more objective attitude.

P.S.  And the more detailed results from the Informal Learning Study are not at www.astd.org/content/research.  Where are they?

Jun 30

Off for the week . . .

Uncategorized No Comments »

See you on July 7th.

Previous Entries
Powered by WordPress .::. Designed by SiteGround Web Hosting

cssandhtml