Week 6 Discussion: Strategies Discussion

What was the discussion about?

Discussion protocols provide a step-by-step approach to discussion, and a structure for making sure that everyone in a group has a chance to lead and guide the discussion. These protocols are especially useful when discussing challenging or controversial content, but are equally suited to helping us achieve variety in our approach to online discussions. Discussion protocols provide a step-by-step approach to discussion, and a structure for making sure that everyone in a group has a chance to lead and guide the discussion. These protocols are especially useful when discussing challenging or controversial content, but are equally suited to helping us achieve variety in our approach to online discussions.

General Overview
This discussion was interesting because it we all got to play the role of discussion leader. It was interesting to see different styles emerge and all the different interests everyone had. We picked a quote out of Horton's book that made a connection with us for using different strategies for eLearning. We posted in 100 words or less the quote and why we thought the quote was significant. Then each member of the discussion posted in 50 words or less a response to our quote to stimulate discussion or to shed new light on our quote.

Most valuable contribution to the discussion
My most “fab” contribution on to the discussion was due to the topic I picked for the quote: synchronous eLearning. Synchronous learning is a vital piece of the larger learning strategies that must be engaged if self-paced learning is to succeed. It is such a vital piece because it incorporates "social instructional values" as learners are required/encourage to communicate with one another to enhance each other’s learning experience. One ways this is beneficial is because synchronous learning is not black and white, that is it doesn't necessarily need to happen at the same time and place for it to be synchronous learning. People can meet economically in a chat room or post comments to a discussion blog, or with a bigger budget in Adobe connect webinar. Either way we can share valuable experience and knowledge with one another via synchronous learning.

My quote:“One of the most important design decisions is whether to make e-learning synchronous or asynchronous.” page 363This quote struck me because I noticed that in taking online instruction we all still have different learning needs. Synchronous and asynchronous learning really is not black and white, but a mixture of real time learning and everybody at different stages. Both can be blended together, but first consider your learners’ needs, consider the learners’ schedules, should they have discussions, do they need motivation…. I think synchronous learning might be useful for projects in different stages, learners using the product can provide synchronous feedback to learners just beginning to use the product."

Discussion responses:
1. I agree Kerry this decision is most important to design. In terms of learners providing the feedback, I found that Jackie Dobrovolny article on self-paced learning in that she states that discussions and conversations are a definite part of self-paced learning has stuck with me. She says adults use conversations in three ways to learn the content: (1)ask or answer questions about the course content, (2)discuss problems the content helped solve and (3)teach a colleague or subordinate. As I indicated in a post in Week 5 it seems natural to me to use learners as part of the feedback process through threaded discussions, e-mails, etc. in the role of coach, mentor, instructor assistants or "Champions" to engage other learners.

2. Kerry - This is always difficult since both learners and content are in constant change. Sometimes it's also helpful to look at the ROI and budget allocation which does drive how to present content. For example, Breeze is a great interactive tool, but one that I cannot afford to use in my design. Email, threaded discussions and phone chats are my modes of interaction with learners.

3. Synchronous learning and $$$...I agree with everyone's assessment of blended learning and how important the decision is on when and how to use each. I think it is a shame that synchronous methods are so often difficult to incorporate because of time and money concerns. This is especially a problem in situations where management outside the training/instructional design department writes all the checks and has to answer to "efficiency" guidelines. While the value can be clear to us, it isn't always the case with corporate management.

4. I to think that e-learning can be synchronous or asynchronous or mixture of both, you just need to decide if it is cost effective to do it one way or the other and keep in mind the advantages of each.

My response: Yes, cost is very important component to consider. I am thinking about cost in a new way, especially since three posts focused on cost. I was intrigued by Linda's info on the ways adults learn content.