Learning design

April 12, 2010 · Posted in Learning design · Comment 

As a new teacher or a teacher new to the use of technology enhanced learning it is often confusing and overwhelming. I found this quote that I think incorporates much of what I have been thinking…

“Learning and teaching is a continuous process that is mediated by the learner’s prior knowledge, experience, and personal goals; the learning environment; strategy selection; and interpersonal interactions.” ((Grabiner et. al. 2007).

To me this quote expands to allow the incorporation of  different approaches (instructivism, constructivism and connectivism)  and takes into account tools that can be used to develop different learning environments.  It also accounts for our students being people who come to us with knowledge and life experience that can enrich learning activity if we can provide authentic programs.

Julie Collareda

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Moodle & Adobe Connect Pro Integration

May 4, 2009 · Posted in connectpro · 1 Comment 

refineddata

In response to TELLS interest in the possible purchase of a Moodle Adobe Connect Pro integration tool I went and reviewed the Adobe Connect presentation by RefinedData to the Adobe Connect User Group ACUGA @ https://admin.adobe.acrobat.com/_a200985228/p97056867 last month.

The tool is potentially very useful and powerful tool for those using Moodle and Connect Pro together.

In summary this is what I got from the presentation.

  • Seamless account sync from Moodle to AC so teachers in Moodle do not need to do any account management in AC ( this is Moodle driven so would be of most use to those using LDAP or equivalent single sign on)
  • As accounts/courses are added and removed in Moodle as they are updated in AC (if they are shared) if you don’t use AC then moodle users are not brought across.
  • Database integration so there is real time data update from Connect into Moodle eg. changes made to a meeting or library media content will be automatically updated in Moodle
  • Moodle editors can link directly to AC content ie meetings, presenter & captivate movies, videos etc. into a Moodle course. Moodle will automatically identify the type of content, represent and track it accordingly
  • The link is live and data about a users use of content ie time in a meeting, pages viewed in a presenter/captivate move or results of quizzes are sent back to Moodle and assigned against a users profile and grades if required.
  • Meetings can be placed in the Moodle Calendar

My Conclusions

Overall I was impressed with the integration and for those who use both platforms extensively, especially AC content you wish tracked,  it would be worth the investment.

If all you use in AC is one meeting room then it’s not worth the money, you may as well just have the url linked in Moodle and ask students to use an identifiable handle.

We would need to look into how much work is involved in installing the tool on both sides of the equation, AC and Moodle. Each institute would be responsible for the Moodle work but the AC side of things would need to be done by those managing the central install.  We currently have multiple Moodle installs across the sate but one central install of Connect Pro, can this tool handle more than one Moodle database integration. Will it work across the DET firewall. All questions I am sure could be easily answered by RefinedData.

As the new DET Adobe licence agreement results in greater access by staff to Captivate, Presenter etc. combined with Institute PD the demand from Moodle users for the type of rich media that AC offers will increase over the next 12 months. This tool would be a great way to leverage the usability and trackability of this media in Moodle.

I think we need to liaise with all the TAFE NSW stake holders, especially those managing the servers, get answers to our questions regarding implementation and then move to purchasing. Perhaps RefinedData might consider a trial install to test with 2-3 institues to evaluate.

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Sydney Institiute – Ambition in Action Nov 5th Report

October 31, 2008 · Posted in FLN Meeting, SI · Comment 

In many ways 2008 has been a consolidation year for TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute. Since 2006, with the advent of TOL ANT we have put in place a wide range of platforms and technologies Quality Awards 08  eLearning @ Sydney Institute:The Journey

 ”Use technology to do business“ @ Sydney Institute

Combined with the imperative from TAFE NSW 21C  we felt we needed to consolidate and focus on embedding the technologies we had put in place before moving foward into new areas. Capability Development programs myLearning  Matrix.

SIT test

image by robynejay

Arising from this came the inspiration for the Learning Technology Mentor program. The program focused on building Institute wide staff capability to use and embed new technologies in teaching and learning. 12 mentors were selected from each campus and clusters across the institute and provided with a week of capability development in the latest emergent technologies.

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Illawarra Institute’s Update for 5 Nov 2008

October 31, 2008 · Posted in FLN Meeting · Comment 

Virtual Learning Environment – integration of Moodle/LRR project with CLI/TeLS (see diagram)http://www.gliffy.com/pubdoc/1515058/M.jpg

VLE incorporates:

  • Moodle for delivery, interaction, collaboration
  • MEdiawiki for resource development and content management (unit/topic page templates, categories)
  • WordPress blogs and Private wikispace for interaction/collaboration
  • LRR for learning resource storage/search/sharing
  • Hosted Moodle for Commercial programs
  • Trials re integration of Moodle with Institute SAM/OLS and with LRR

Flexible Learning @ Illawarra Project – pilot of 4 cross-Institute programs; utilising VLE for resource development and delivery; FL@IP website being developed, including an elearning orientation program; capability development plan includes resource development, facilitate elearning, SAM/OLS training, awareness/website for campus administration staff.

iiMediawiki iiMediawiki

Interviews with Team Leaders of pilot teams:

grant_prowse

jillian_atkinson

justine_poidevin

leon_williamson

eLearning Mentors (ANT2) – blogs, Adobe Presenter, Photostory, Moviemaker, ARED/LAWS are proving most popular. View Adobe Connect Time2Share presentation from one of our team, Painting and Decorating teacher, Fiona Shewring: http://webconf.det.nsw.edu.au/p86001304/ 

Facilitate eLearning – current group of participants from IIT/NCI/SWSI, approx 35. Changes have been made to the program activities on the fly - participant presentations in Connect & new eTools activity using http://voicethread.com . The collaboration and creativity has been outstanding. We will be starting a new group with a workshop in non-teaching weeks at start of 2009 – any takers for collaboration? We have 8 new teachers who do the unit as part of their Cert IV TAA and our FL@IP team as starters already.

UOW/IIT eLearning & Pedagogy Conversations – six weekly informal meetings over coffee. At our last meeting, Wendy Meyer shared her experience of the Moodle Moot in October – http://www.moodlemootau.org Next meeting we plan to look at eRolePlays. Collaboration around 2009 Emerging Technologies Conference – is there interest from other Institutes? Some emerging themes: staff development, mobile technologies, pedagogy…

Video Conferencing: Equipment installed in each campus in staff meeting room spaces. Aim is to use for Institute meetings before using for teaching. TLI is supporting the capability development through a train the trainer process. A POV camera is being used to create resources to assist campus staff to go through the steps to turn on the equipment. Video conference sessions will be conducted for campus mentors, including CAMs and eLearning Mentors. 

I.M.A.G.E. – Innovate-Motivate-Achieve-Grow-Excite. Institute Innovation Showcase planned for December to be conducted via Video Conference. eLearning Mentors will participate, guest speaker on innovation in business and customer service.

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