C+My+E-learning+Journey

‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍MY E-learning Journey ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍Click on the hyper-linked screen-shot to take you directly to my personal page on the ning. **‍‍****‍** **March 11 Introduction** My name is Natalie I work in Outreach at Richmond TAFE. I am currently Acting Coordinator on a contract that will run out in July and I guess then I will return to the classroom on a daily basis. I haven't spent a great deal of time in the classroom over the past 2 years so I am looking forward to returning. I'm also looking forward to incorporating E-learning in the Outreach classroom which will present a number of challenges; but if you know me you will know that I love a good challenge!

What I love about technology these days is the accessability aspect. I can study or work from many different locations which is a bonus when we all live such active lives. I don't even have to leave the house to go to the library!!

Although I would always prefer to connect with others in person, I do love that social networks allow me to communicate with people all over the world and with people more often, who I am unable to catch up with in person on a regular basis. I hate to admit it but I love facebook for staying in contact with my adult children and building relationships with new friends who enter their lives. As a parent I found it challenging as my children got older and moved to the city minimising the opportunities to be a part of their daily lives. Facebook keeps us connected on a daily basis sharing photos, new music, etc., I could go on and on!

What I don't like about technology is my limited time in developing new skills. I learn best with someone next to me showing me the way and also in a classroom environment just like this class. I'm not one to navigate my way around a new program or for reading manuals etc. I'm grateful that these subjects are embedded in the course forcing me to develop my e-learning skills!

I'd really like to develop a moodle for Outreach so I hope this subject will assist in developing new skills, confidence and greater understanding in working towards achieving this goal.

**‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍March 13 My first blog**  ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍I've learnt a little bit about 'Linked in'. So far I have; signed up as a member, started to develop a profile, added a friend from class and started to search for other contacts. I'm looking forward to finding more time to explore further! :) 

‍‍‍‍ **﻿ ** <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**<range type="comment" id="435374">‍‍‍March 16 ‍Podcasting** ‍‍‍ <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">‍‍‍‍‍Podcasting is an Internet technology that provides audio files to be downloaded automatically to a computer or mobile MP3 device for listening at anytime.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">There are a number of websites such as ‘Learn out Loud’ [] which is an internet directory of podcasts that trainers or anyone can access for use.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Another is ‘Let's Talk’ which is a space for a group of ESOL students, mostly new arrivals (AMEP), to broadcast short audio files recorded by them to practice their English.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Podcasts can be used in the classroom for: recording lectures to reinforce learning or for absent students; to provide extra material for self paced learning; for PowerPoint presentations to support learning content.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Podcasts are great for: audio learners, learners with literacy needs or learning needs, vision impaired students.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">I could use podcasts with students in the Work Opportunities for Women course with literacy problems or writing blocks to record their reflections for their reflective journal (course assessment).

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">I have never used podcasts but I’m sure I could embrace this technology. I have a mobile phone so I could record something in class and then follow on line steps to download it from my phone to my computer.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**March 21 Time to go to the Mountain:** I<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;"> enjoyed the lesson last Wednesday. Each week the possibilities of using e learning tools in the classroom grows. By the end of the lesson I was already considering making a number of changes to my current teaching and learning enviroment which includes buying a laptop. The challenge though is whether to buy a PC or a MAC. There are many features about the MAC that I like. However what I don't like is navigating my way through all the programs that I'm use to, which look very different on a MAC.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">As i ponder this decison throughout the week whilst attempting to access, join memberships and successfully use elearning tools such as Drop box, linkedin & wordpress my enthusiasm of managing a new computer quickly fades!

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">At this stage I'm struggling with managing all the new elearning tools, websites and information that we are gaining access to. I swing from excitement and a clear view of possibilities; to brain overload, fuzzy vision and the need to sit peacefully on the <range type="comment" id="215063">‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍top of a mountain!

‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">** March 25 **[|My wordle PLE]

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">‍April 6 What I have learnt in the past 2 weeks <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Mostly I have realized my level of frustration with E Learning which really relates to my lower level skills in accessing activities on line in class. Having to navigate MAC a system that I have never used also adds to my lowel level IT skills. I would have found it easier if we were using a PC! Using a MAC has increased the difficulty in having to navigate a new system first before I can catch up with others in the class. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">What I have found interesting is the impact on my overall confidence as a learner.
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">March 28 **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Issues and challenges for moving to social elearning
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">April 13 Team Project (John, Nat & Cath) **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Natalie: The learners experience

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Look at assignment 3 on the blog
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Go to Australian Flexible learning
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Click on Social Elearning
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Scroll to the bottom Aus flexible learning
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">You'll find Ann Bart log brag - listen and download script then read her references to find a case study

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Look at The hole in the wall project that Lalit posted!

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">I'm looking forward to the team work project (assessment)! John and Cath are great to work with. The assignment sound interesting and the presentation style using presi looks like fun!

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">I'm happy that the subject area relates to my work context; and that I can use the research for future application of social e learning for learners in Outreach.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">I have chosen the 'Textiles in Ghana' course through Open Learning. E learning is not my preferred method of learning as I am a relational person on so many levels; therefore removing a real person from the learning environment is a challenge for me before beginning! <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">I have chosen this course because of the visual and artistic nature of the topic in an attempt to be engaged! It includes videos with interviews; so I think i will enjoy the connection to others and hearing their stories; via this medium. Vark tells me I am a multi-modod learner with visual and audio as migh most preferred styles; I think Vark is right!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">April 15 Textiles in Ghana - The Open University, Learning Space **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">A concern regarding the training is: that I won't be gaining any feedback or have the opportunity to discuss the content with anyone else (well I don't think the training provides this). I'll have to rely on my family to engage in discussions at interval time (great dinner table discussion, 'textiles in ghana'...lol).

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Another concern is: I normally get excited about new training thinking about the people I will meet and the connections with others in the process. So at this point I'm not overly excited about having to sit in front of a computer for 4 hrs engaging only through technology.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">I am however looking forward to the topic and what I will learn about the people of Ghana.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">I'm not sure about the level of support provided in the course, in fact I'm not expecting any which is why I'm not too excited about participating.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Anyway lets see how I go......I might be presently surprised and really enjoy it!

**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Last paragraph from Assignment 2 Critique of an online course **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Overall the course was limited in its ability to provide an authentic and engaging learning environment. It merely involved the learner in a one-way process of receiving information rather than actively involving the learner in a learning exchange. I personally found the lack of interaction with ‘others’ to be a solitary and de-motivating learning experience. Personally I value relationships with others in the highest order; and learn best through meaningful interactions and discussion with others. <range type="comment" id="648244">‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍Unfortunately this course failed to provide any of those opportunities ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">April 15 Team fantastic taking on e-Learning within the organisational context, assessment 3! **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Team fantastic players: John, Cathy and Natalie

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">We will be focusing on: Issues and challenges for moving to social elearning

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">I'm looking forward to the team work project presentation! John and Cath are great to work with. The assignment sounds interesting and the presentation style using presi looks like fun!

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">I'm happy that the subject area relates to my work context; and that I can use the research for future application of social e learning for learners in Outreach. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">We are now busily looking for our case studies! Keep you posted :) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**May 6 This week I have learnt about Prezi; a digital story telling tool.**

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">This week I have learnt about Prezi; a digital story telling tool. I first had a play with Prezi in the lcassroom and then researched prezi for the spinning activity this week being a 'spinner'! Spinning was fun! I think Ann helped my spinning experience in selecting an appropriate article for me to summarize; particularly as I am very visual in my learning style. THANKS ANN!

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">I have decided I will use Prezi for the presentation of assessment 3 and I believe I will enjoy it! I just need to find an appropriate case study first which is proving to be this weeks challenge!

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">I really didn't enjoy assessment 2 as it was a little tedious and frustrating.....there was no Xfactor! I realised though my choice of course was the issue; which reinforces the importance of selecting the right e-learning tool/s to match the learner's learning needs and styles! Therefore providing an engaging, rich and meaningful experience for the learner and consequentally the educator/facilitator too! <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;">

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;"> <range type="comment" id="293539">‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">** ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍May 6 SPINNING - Prezi** <span class="xg_avatar"> Permalink Reply by [|Natalie Hull] on May 6, 2011 at 12:28am [|Delete] <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Prezi is an application for creating digital presentations which can be simply described as a ‘digital storytelling tool’. Prezi is more like a **moving mind map** where information can be presented on one canvas //compared to// a multitude of pages in more traditional presentations such as PowerPoint.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Planning presentations involve the process of ‘telling a story’. When developing your story you must consider:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">The plot
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Who your hero is
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">What is the hook
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">What are the sequence of events

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**Prezi requires you to think differently** so you may need to approach your first presentation using a different approach. Try telling your story using a pencil and paper to sketch out your ideas; think first and draw second.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Once you have your story in mind think about:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Key phrases and content
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Find and assemble the visuals which will support your ideas
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Think about the use of your visuals to create meaning
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Decide which order you want your info to be presented

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Prezi is all about **‘thinking visually’**. Information can be layered using three-built in movements; zoom in, zoom out, and rotate it! A vibrant and engaging method compared to a static image on a screen.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">When describing a concept; Prezi can demonstrate both the **big picture as well the details**. PGP is a method to describe complexed ideas and how they may fit together or within a broader context. PGP stands for **P**articular point, A **G**eneral Point and then another **P**articular point. A prezi presentation allows you to use the PGP method with the zooming in and out feature to make your point. A great process for simplifying complexed ideas!

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**Questions to consider:** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Q 1: When considering the educational context; do you think a prezi would be more effective in engaging the learner and/or in the transfer of infomation over traditional methods such as powerpoints? Why? <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Q 2: As a teacher/educator/facilitator how might you incorporate the use of Prezi into your practice?

‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍<span class="xg_avatar"> Permalink Reply by [|Natalie Hull] on May 13, 2011 at 10:45am [|Delete] <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">I agree with Jon that it is useful for guiding a lesson and personally the fact that it's a 'visual' tool for presenting information makes it worthwhile for visual learners. However I don't use it that often in the classroom when working with Outreach students; as it can be too formal for the Outreach learning environment.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;"><range type="comment" id="801315">‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍Reply to POWERPOINT reading **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">I think any teaching aid becomes problematic when it is the dominant focus or aid used in the classroom and I believe this can be the danger with powerpoint.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Design is very important and must be tailored to the group and the content that you are delivering. I agree there needs to be a balance between the WOW factor and getting a message across; otherwise the powerpoint becomes a distracter rather than an enabler. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**May 13 <range type="comment" id="162278">‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍What I have learnt this week ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;"> **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">I really enjoyed this weeks lesson and feel I made some progress with the last 2 assignments. I find it most useful when I can engage with new technology and e-learning activities hands on in the classroom with the support of the teacher. It is important for me as this aids in building my confidence and motivation to continue outside of the classroom on my own. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">My confidence is also starting to develop as I am finally finding my way around the MAC which means I can keep up with the lesson rather than struggling to use the operating system and feeling like a complete learner.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">I will take both these lessons into my own classroom when considering students needs in the e-learning environment.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**May 23 What I have learnt this week ** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">I have been reminded of the value of learning from other learners! After struggling for a couple of weeks with the direction to take with my case study and presentation, all was sorted after a 20minute peer support session with another classmate!

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">The conversation and sharing of personal experience and great tips led me to Slideshare and Audacity. Over the weekend I have learnt to navigate slideshare and have been inspired by other great powerpoint presentations on line; the process is so different to working in isolation.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">I'm still sorting out some technical issues with Audacity but I feel confident I will be able to master it too. However I may take another direction with adding audio to my presentation as I managed to use the record feature on my IPhone to record audio and save it in ITunes. I may use this process instead as it was very easy and accessible to work with and I think I can upload the ITunes file on to Slideshare.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">All in all it was a positive e-learning experience!

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">The other important lesson I have learnt throughout this process is the need to be enaged in e-learning which is meaningful and can be applied to my PLE. Once I found a case study which was relavant and could be useful to my workplace I was quickly engaged

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**May 30 What I have learnt this week**

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">This week I believe I had improved on my powerpoint presentation design skills with the support of on line learning about pp on slide share. Using slideshare was relatively unpainful in fact it was quite fun. I also master recording audio for my presentation on 'Audacity' which was equally easy. They were both such great tools for being able to work with others from a distance. Our group live many miles from each other so the opportunity to meet togethr to plan our presentations out of the classroom was impossible. Through on line learning and elearning tools we have been able to plan and access resources in our own time; making groupwork a smooth and easy process.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">I'm looking forward to our presentation on Wednesday.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">June 26 Final presentation [[image:positive.jpg width="61" height="66"]] **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">I was so happy with our final presentation, particularly the fact that we planned and developed it all online. Group work can be challenging for students and particuarly when you live so far away from each other. It was amazing that we were able to create a coordinated and well planned presentation from our individual PLEs.Our presentation came together with ease. I <range type="comment" id="638476">‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍really enjoyed the live presentation in class too! <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;"> ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;"> = Final Comment = I started the semester with a great deal of enthusiasm particularly after a successful previous semester of Information Technology. Firstly we were introduced to the Ning which I was fairly comfortable in embracing, as I am a facebook user. Therefore I felt Ok about going home and accessing the ning to create blog posts for reflections. However the challenge at this point was in the classroom where I was struggling with the MAC computers. Although I was open to embracing a MAC, finding my way around it was difficult whilst taking in new information and keeping up with the lessons. The experience was a series of highs and lows...being introduced to great e-learning tools but not having the confidence with the technology to embrace it. However the learning finally came through the assessments and with the help of 2 other classmates in sharing ideas, resources and elearning tips!

Although at times it has been very challenging upon reflection it has been a great experience. It has been wonderful in rethinking the learning environment for students in my class and in Outreach. The opportunity to reflect from personal experience is an incredibly valuable tool for teachers. The group assignment also contributed in considering the learner’s perspective and identifying barriers for both the learner and the organisation in implementing social e-learning tools within the classroom.

Overall the research and my personal experience will provide opportunties for dialogue with teaching staff; and in advising strategies for incorporating and implementing future successful e-learning programs within the Outreach learning environment.