Converting to a Distance Learning Format

This week I was challenged with a scenario in which a trainer wanted to convert their current face-to-face content, into a distance learning format.

In the paper I wrote, I identified what pre-instructional elements the instructor would need to perform prior to updating his training content. Whenever an instructional designer must convert training materials, they should always approach the project as a new project request and perform an analysis of the request and the impacted audiences.

In addition to the pre-planning strategies, I communicated in the paper how the role of the instructor would change from what he was doing in the face-to-face environment, to how he will need to facilitate in a distance learning format.

Finally, I provided a list of best practices that can assist the instructor with converting his content, and ensuring the learning delivery is conducive to the training environment.

Converting to a Distance Learning Format.pdf

My definition of distance learning and the future or distance learning

Prior to attending my Walden University Distance Learning class, I had participated in distance learning as a participant, facilitator, developer, and programmer. My definition of distance learning is to share knowledge using technology with a diverse group of participants who are located in different areas of the world. I did not necessarily feel an instructor was required for distance learning, as information could be shared in a narrated electronic course, or vignette.

Due to my participation in the learning industry in the past 11 years, I have observed many influences on the changes of the definition of distance learning. I feel one of the factors that drives change in the definition of distance learning, is the advancement of technology. Technology continues to redefine the ways in which information is shared, for example social networks and YouTube.

I believe that changes on a person’s definition of distance learning can be influenced by their profession, as well as, there level of technical knowledge. For example, someone new to the learning industry may feel like distance learning is limited to just online virtual classrooms. Although, that is a specific type of distance learning, you also have technology based trainings, E-learning, blended learning, performance support tools, vignettes, and the list continues as technology advances.

My definition of distance learning was very similar to the information that I was exposed to this week. There was very small differences in the wording, however, the jest of the information was the same.

I believe the future of distance learning will further evolve, and information will be shared in even more innovative ways. I believe employers will invest more in the learning industry as the benefits of advanced learning deliverables become available. I believe designers and technologist will continue to play a vital role in ensuring the content is conducive to the learning environment.

Reference

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., & Zvacek, S. (2015). Foundations of Distance Learning (6th ed.). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing, Inc..

Distance Learning Blog

Greetings,

My name is Daniel and this will be my blog for my Walden University Distance Learning class.

I am 34 years old and have been an instructional designer for the past six years. Before becoming a designer, I was a traveling trainer. For the past 6 months I started my new role as an instructional technologist.

Week 8 Final Post

Working in the instructional design field for the past five years I came into the IDD course thinking I already knew all that I needed to know to be extremely successful. I had a basic understanding of learning theories, learning strategies, and learning styles, and thought I was already creating great learning curriculum. It wasn’t until week 1 of the course when I began to read through the required materials that I saw a need to humble myself and realized this whole time I have been looking at the surface layer of instructional design, and the topic is much deeper.

What did you find surprising or striking as your furthered your knowledge about how people learn?

When I began my career in the adult education and training field, I was groomed to identify my learner’s styles and generation, and then create training to cater to their needs. This became very difficult, as I was not only trying to put the three main learning styles (auditory, kinesthetic, and visual) into a course but also taking their generation into consideration and how Generation Y learns differently than the baby boomers. During this course, I began to understand that I should place little focus on the individuals learning styles as they can change by topic, and focus more on a learning strategy.

How has this course deepened on your understanding of your personal learning process?

I originally thought I learned through repetition, seeing something done time and time again until it was ingrained into my thought process. However, after identifying various types of learning theories and behaviors, I know understand that I am a social learner. I learn from my interactions with others, and my involvement in those interactions. Repetition will serve my well when I need to learn a new process, however, to gain a deeper insight of why that process has been put in place, to begin with, that information will come to me through collaboration and sharing of information until I gain an understanding.

What have you learned regarding the connection between learning theories, learning styles, educational technology, and motivation?

I have learned that motivation is key to getting adults to participate and fully engage in the learning process. If adults fail to engage or find the curriculum meaningful to them, they will not attempt to learn. Learning styles are still important, however, holds little weight when it comes to planning the design of the course. There are several learnings styles, and each’s identified preferred style can change with the content. Trying to satisfy all of the learning styles in your design is extremely difficult and may not be the best use of a designer’s time and resources. Understanding educational technology, let’s you as a developer know the types of resources that are at your disposal to create, maintain and track learning events. Educational resources are a vital tool in learning, and as they further develop, learners will have more options for delivering materials.

How will your learning in this course help you as you further your career in the field of instructional design?

I believe that this course has provided me with a deeper understanding of learning theories and the instructional design process. With the information that I have learned in this course, I believe I can create even better curriculum, which will not only motivate adults to want to learn but also ensure the content is meaningful to them. I feel this course has provided me with more resources to develop training based on learning strategies.

During my first week of this course, I had a basic understanding of the different learning theories and how they applied to myself and the work I do. Now that I have been provided with an in-depth overview of the various learning theories, how each theory came to existence and the rationale behind them, I can see which theories I practice without even knowingly doing so. Based on my research and my understanding of the various learning theories, I learn best using the Social Learning Theory. Before me truly understanding the different learning theories, I would have said that I was a behaviorist because I believed my learning was directed by the promotion of a desirable behavior and discouragement of non-desirable behaviors. While that may still be true in smaller isolated situations, I mainly learn by interacting with and learning from others.

My epiphany may be a result of actually putting the social learning theory in practice throughout the course. Each week I was required to interact with others within my class and to discuss points on new topics presented to us. Whereas I would join these conversations and express my understanding of the topic, it was not until I read comments from my peers that I began to look at each topic from a different paradigm and start to understand information differently. During those points, I was able to have a holistic view of each theory.

            Technology plays a vital role in learning. In its most basic form, technology can be used as a deliverable to convey information to learners, however with the advances in technology, we are now able to capture useful data to help IDD enhance the learning experience. The different roles technology plays in learning impacts almost every aspect of learning from design, development, delivery, and evaluation. Technology is making it easier to locate and store information in great quantities.

Daniel's Self Reflection of Personal Mind Map

Be creating a mind map on my network and how I learn, I was able to identify different deliverables that assist me in retaining new information. My mind map did not necessarily change the way I learn. However, it helped me identify how I learn, and how I learn best. By viewing my network, I was able to verify the different social networks I participate in and the deliverables associated with each network.

There are several digital tools that I enjoy using to learn, yet the ones that best facilitate learning for me are simulations, timed multimedia, and virtual classrooms. Virtual classrooms provide me with an outlet to brainstorm with my peers and learn off of their experience. By participating in a virtual class, I can access course content at my leisure and participate in discussion post whenever I have something useful to contribute. Timed multimedia (for example YouTube videos) allow me to watch how processes are performed, or learn via visuals of how a process works. I can reply or fast forward to view only the content I need to learn or do not understand. Simulations allow me to apply the newly learned skill.

Whenever I have questions about a topic, learning becomes slightly easier as I can formulate a question based on my experience and relate the answer provided right back to that experience. For example, if I have a question on how can technology advances assist with learning, I can phrase my question, If I use Facebook a lot, how could I use it to learn. The answer may be something simple as it allows you to connect with your peers and learn from social interaction. Then I can validate, that when I do use Facebook, I am in a way interacting with my peers to communicate, so I can use the same method of communicating to learn new information from their perspective. In this example, I was able to use my experience of using technological advances and how it relates to me, and also relay the answer back to those same experiences.

Daniel's Mind Map on Social Learning Connectivism