The Boggs e-Learning Chronicle

Why Office Design Matters

From Harvard's Business School newsletter working Knowledge:

Excerpt: "One factor that affects knowledge worker performance that isn't well understood is the physical work environment—the offices, cubicles, buildings, and mobile workplaces in which knowledge workers do their jobs."

The article goes on to summarize what was learned from an Accenture study and other research:

• Knowledge workers prefer closed offices, but seem to communicate better in open ones.
• Knowledge workers congregate in particular geographical areas.
• Knowledge workers move around in the course of their work.
• Knowledge workers collaborate
• Knowledge workers concentrate
• Knowledge workers work in the office.
• Knowledge workers communicate with people who are close by.
• Knowledge workers don't care about facilities gewgaws (ping pong tables, pool tables, etc.)

Why Office Design Matters

Dave Boggs, SyberWorks

Towards a Benchmark for the Evaluation of Learning Design Expressiveness and Suitability

Abstract:" IMS Learning Design (LD) has been presented as the EML standard. We propose a methodology to achieve an evaluation benchmark for LD and EMLs based on the identification of perspectives and patterns. We consider a perspective as a feature of an EML with a specific purpose which can be analyzed independently. For each identified perspective, we study the involved patterns. A pattern is an abstraction that is frequently repeated in a design domain, it can be considered as a typical solution to a common problem. Perspectives and patterns provide the criteria that will made up the evaluation benchmark. The evaluation benchmark is proposed to carry out two kinds of evaluation: expressiveness and suitability. The final purpose is to contribute to the development of LD in order to enhance the reusability and interoperability of units of learning."

Towards a Benchmark for the Evaluation of LD Expressiveness and Suitability

Dave Boggs, SyberWorks

New E-Learning Books

Some e-Learning titles:

E-learning And Virtual Science Centers

By Leo Tan and R Subramaniam

Description: "E-Learning and Virtual Science Centers addresses an aspect of Web-based education that has not attracted sufficient attention in the international research literature – that of virtual science centers, the cyberspace annex of traditional science centers. It is the first book to be published on the rapidly advancing field of science education. Addressed to science and technology centers, science museums, and researchers in Web-based education, this book provides an overview of the state-of-the-art developments in this new and emerging field of science education. Written for practitioners by practitioners, the 20 chapters featured in this book represent the contributions of more than 40 authors from over 10 countries – truly an international effort and a veritable gage of state-of-the-art perspectives. E-Learning and Virtual Science Centers features theoretical issues, design considerations in the setting up virtual science centers, and case studies on various aspects of the field."

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Lessons in Learning, e-Learning, and Training : Perspectives and Guidance for the Enlightened Trainer -- by Roger C. Schank; Paperback

Description: "From Roger C. Schank—one of the most highly respected thinkers, writers, and speakers in the training, learning, and e-learning community—comes a compelling book of essays that explore the myriad issues related to challenges faced by today’s instructional designers and trainers. The essays offer a much-needed perspective on what trainers do, why they do it, and how they do it. Lessons in Learning, e-Learning, and Training serves as a barometer to the issues that often perplex trainers and helps to illuminate three main points: what can and cannot be taught; how people think and learn; and what technology can really effectively provide. In addition, each essay is filled with practical guidance and includes a summary of ideas, tips and techniques, things to think about, checklists, and other job aids. "

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E-Learning Solutions on a Shoestring : Help for the Chronically Underfunded Trainer -- by Jane Bozarth; Paperback

Description: "No matter how limited your training budget may be, e-Learning Solutions on a Shoestring is filled with the nuts-and-bolts information needed to incorporate e-learning solutions into your organization at minimal cost. The book offers myriad strategies for building from-scratch programs, recycling, reusing, and re-purposing resources; negotiating reasonable expenses for "store bought" e-learning products; and incorporating real-world ideas for assembling tools, techniques, and strategies into workplace solutions." Dave Boggs, SyberWorks

SyberWorks partners with Linktivity to offer integrated web conferencing features in the SyberWorks Learning Management System

It can be found here:

SyberWorks partners with Linktivity to offer integrated web conferencing features in the SyberWorks Learning Management System

Dave Boggs, SyberWorks

An Inductive Analysis Approach for Detecting Learning Design Patterns

The JIME just published a recent article on detecting learning design patterns.

Abstract: One way to develop effective online courses is the use of learning design patterns, since patterns capture successful solutions. Pedagogical patterns are commonly created by human cognitive processing in "writer's workshops". We explore two ideas; first whether IMS Learning Design is suitable for detecting patterns in existing courses and secondly whether the use of inductive analyses is a suitable approach. We expect patterns to occur in the method section of a learning design, because here the process of teaching and learning is defined. We provide some suggestions for inductive techniques that could be applied to existing learning designs in order to detect patterns and discuss how the patterns could be used to create new learning designs. None of the suggested approaches are validated yet, but are intended as input for the ongoing discussion on patterns.

Dave Boggs, SyberWorks

e-Learning Assessibility in a Higher Education Context

Within the context of e-learning in Higher Education,  Lawrie Phipps of TechDis, Brian Kelly of UKOLN, and the University of Bristol's Caro Howell who scooped the best research paper award at ALT-C 2005.

Excerpt:

"In this paper the authors describe a holistic framework for addressing e-learning accessibility which takes into account the usability of e-learning, pedagogic issues and student learning styles in addition to technical and resource issues and provide a case study which illustrates use of this holistic approach to e-learning."

Implementing a Holistic Approach to e-Learning Assessibility.

Dave Boggs, SyberWorks

Apple launches new iTunes phone and iPod

Apple launches new iTunes phone and iPod

Excerpt: "Apple Computer Inc. Chief Executive Steve Jobs introduced a long-anticipated music-playing cell phone on Wednesday and surprised the faithful with a new pencil-thin iPod."

Dave Boggs, SyberWorks

Idea Generation Web Site

This site is a good overall resource on Idea Generation Techniques.   The site lists over 145 idea generation techniques listed from A to Z.  Its a good follow up to my 6/22 post were we looked at Brainstorming & TRIZ Tools for use in Online Content Development.

Dave Boggs SyberWorks

Cases are powerful e-learning tools

Here is a post about using cases in e-learning.  Works well in tradional learning contexts, no reason to believe it would not work well in e-learning.

Dave Boggs, SyberWorks

Scoping out Your Organization’s e-Learning Needs Series: Segment #3->Collecting Information with Director Level Approval

This is the next segment in an occasional series about best practices in regards to getting a clear understanding of  your company's e-Learning needs.

Institute a formal process for collecting and documenting needs that require a director level signature.

Set up a way to take surveys or gather feedback on your online training initiative from other departments or internal entities that the LMS would touch.  It’s a good idea to have the recognition and approval of the various directors in the departments that would be stakeholders in your online training initiative to gather this information. Obtaining director level signatures along the way while gathering data for various capabilities that may be requested is a good way to communicate the importance and priority of your online e-Learning initiative.  It also helps to set the stage, shape expectations, and creates pre-implementation documentation that could help you justify your costs internally to your CFO or Controller who may not be accustomed to seeing a line in your budget for online training.

Dave Boggs, SyberWorks