Distance Learning Technologies

Example 3: Asynchronous Training

In an effort to improve its poor safety record, a biodiesel manufacturing plant needs a series of safety training modules. These stand-alone modules must illustrate best practices on how to safely operate the many pieces of heavy machinery on the plant floor. The modules should involve step-by-step processes and the method of delivery needs to be available to all shifts at the plant. As well, the shift supervisors want to be sure the employees are engaged and can demonstrate their learning from the modules.

Coggno (Learning Management System)

Coggno is a Learning Management System toolkit and marketplace, which facilitates the transfer of intellectual property between course creators and the SME’s and/or organizations, educational intuitions and others who is interested.  Coggno designs and delivers online solutions for e-learning, training, assessments and courseware for organizations, corporations, associations, educational institutions and Subject Matter Experts (Coggno, 2011).

Coggno toolkit includes test editor, SCORM Publisher, question banking, video, quiz and assessment tools that enables organizations to provide rich, multi-media online training at a low cost.  In addition, Coggno’s LMS follows a pay per model and requires no up-front costs to create and deploy training (Coggno, 2011).

Coggno’s features combine with this application integrated LMS such as BB FlashBack screen recording.  According to Wikipedia, “BB FlashBack allows users to record everything seen on the PC screen. It also records commentary, PC sounds and webcam as picture-in-picture video to give course content a personal touch”.  In my opinion, BB FlashBack could be beneficial to this biodiesel manufacturing plant safety training modules.   This safety training is supposed to ensure that the modules show systematic processes, and ability to be demonstrated successfully after training.  BB FlashBack could allow the webcam to record each learner demonstrating live on properly using the machinery on the plant floor and the shift supervisors will have the capability of reviewing the recordings once completed.  

External Resources: Here are a few examples of external resources that have use Coggno products

Sport Safety International

http://coggno.com/customers/sport-safety-international

http://sportsafetyinternational.org/

Sport Safety International mission is to promote injury prevention and safe participation in physical activity and sports by providing the highest quality educational programming to athletes, parents, coaches, and sports medicine professionals (Sport Safety International, 2011). 

Sport Safety International have been a customer with Coggno since March 2011 and used Coggno-SCORM Publisher combined with Coggno Certificate tools because of the flexibility, ecommerce and ability to scale quickly (Coggno, 2011).

Design Build Institute of America (DBIA)

http://coggno.com/customers/design-build-institute-america

http://www.dbia.org/

DBIA promotes the value of design-build project delivery and teaches the effective integration of design and construction services to ensure success for owners and design and construction practitioners (Design-Build Institute of America, 2011).

DBIA has been a customer with Coggno since June 2010 and used Coggno-SCORM Publisher combined with Coggno assessment tools and ecommerce.  DBIA used products because of the flexibility, ecommerce and easy to use interface (Coggno, 2011).

References

http://coggno.com/

http://www.dbia.org/

http://sportsafetyinternational.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coggno

Defining Distance Learning

Defining Distance Learning

Description of the evolution of distance learning as it relates to your own experiences

The evolution of distance learning has introduced a better way for employers to deliver trainings with improvement on budget, quality information and company time. Annually, I am required to participate in Recipient Rights training for my employer. Recipient Rights training ensures that I have the knowledge and follow current policies and procedures when providing services to clients with physical and mental health challenges also ensuring that services are provided in a safe, sanitary and humane treatment environment.  1999 – 2007 the training consisted of staff in the conference room, a facilitator, packet of information and then written test given after training.  The facilitator spoke in a monotone voice that was not interesting, I was loaded with information on mental health codes, no interacting , very little attention span  and then had to take a written test immediately after.  Since 2007, assuming because of budget cuts, and time restraints we have been taking online training and although the same information is being delivered, the difference is in the set up.  We have to view short videos with real people examples (visual), listen and read the needed information that helps to retain and understand it better and a quiz is given after each segment. 

Your personal definition and observations of distance learning before starting this course.

Prior to this course, my knowledge of distance learning was limited to correspondence study and video-conferencing in separate locations.  I can remember when I participated in a bible study course through correspondence and had to mail lessons utilizing the US mail system.  This made me feel very apprehensive, because immediate communication between facilitator-student was not available and the length of time it took to get a response to questions. 

Your revised definition, which combines your previous thoughts about distance learning

Learners have access to a supportive community that encourages knowledge building and social reinforcement (Moeller, 1998).  Today, I have unlimited knowledge and understanding about distance learning in education and business arenas.  In the business arena, I notice that employers are utilizing web-based instruction (webinars), telephone conferencing that has increases employer partners dialogue, social and learning skills.  The education systems have encourages self-learner approaches, collaborative learning environment and options of asynchronous and synchronous environments.  It seems in both arenas that the results are creating positive learning environments because people are being held accountable for learning and strengthen communication skills.

A summary of your vision for the future of distance learning as it continues on a path of evolution and change

Although distance learning is being implemented more in educational institutions and offers convenience, flexibility and increase technological skills, I would like to see more blended learning environments created.  Blended Learning combines face-to-face instruction with distance education delivery systems (Osguthorpe and Graham, 2003). The blended environments will encourage communication skills and interactivity skills among the people involved and universities, and employers (training/learning purposes) to use e-learning platforms, discussion boards, email systems and other media support systems to better prepare students/staff with needed valuable information. 

References

Moeller, L. (1998).  Designing communities of learners for asynchronous distance education. Educational Technology and Research Development Journal, 46 (4), 115-122.

Osguthorpe, R. T., & Graham,C.R. (2003).  Blended learning environments: Definitions and directions.  The Quarterly Review of Distance Education 4(3), 227-233.

Future of Distance Learning Mind Mapping

http://www.webspirationpro.com/view/1028806af08f