SD Pets Magazine

www.sandiegopetsmagazine.com

Pandora...

www.pandora.com

Cool links to remember

http://www.doodle.ch/main.html

http://www.slideshare.net/

www.twitter.com

http://www.lovebottle.net/index.asp

http://www.findyourspot.com/survey/Results.asp?ID=936C7FA119E649AE1F9538FF51CD50D4

Final thoughts...

I never realized how much detail needed to be put into online training modules. I forget sometimes how easy it is to verbally explain instructions and answer questions as they come up in the face to face classroom instruction.

Evaluation Questions...

1) Does the opening objective accurately describe what the learner is learning in Lesson 13?
2) Does the PowerPoint provide enough examples to complete the exercise questions?
3) Do the exercises give the learner the opportunity to apply the concepts that were covered in the PowerPoint presentation video?
4) Are 4 scenario based e-mails provided sufficient practice, or should there be additional practice exercises for this lesson?
5) Was the checklist helpful when composing the e-mails for each scenario?

Lesson 13 Activity Website

http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~waters/assign/outlookproject.html

Another problem...

One thing that I thought of today was the issue of grading and assessing individuals that are going to take this class that could be bilingual, or where English is a second language and they may not be proficient in English.

Important Communication Links

http://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/EmailCommunication.htm
http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=464d74d8cb&attid=0.1&disp=vah&view=att&th=1189f9997d94989a
http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=464d74d8cb&attid=0.1&disp=vah&view=att&th=1189f99b1ec60ec4
http://www.silicon.com/research/specialreports/digitalblunders2/0,39024989,11034586,00.htm
http://careerplanning.about.com/od/communication/a/email_etiquette.htm

Lessons 12-14

Basic lesson plan flow chart...

Initial steps for the lesson plan

Instructional issues to consider

While constructing my design concept I realized that from an instructional stand point this class could be time consuming if it is truly completed as a self paced course. The idea was that as students completed various sections of the course they would e-mail the instructor their completed task/assignment/etc. The problem with this is that some of the lessons can not be started until they have received feedback from the instructor. Therefore the instructor would have to consistently be checking his or her e-mail and responding almost immediately to the students. After thinking this through I have decided that the course can remain a self study course, however there will be time frames established in which the students are expected to complete their tasks. This way the instructor and the students know when to expect communication from one another.

Various systems to select and other random issues

Originally the intent of my training was going to focus effective communication, but after thinking about the training that I was designing I realized that it has to also focus on basic outlook training as well. If the user is not familiar with the uses of outlook, then being an effective communicator does not really make that big of a difference.

Therefore I have started realizing a couple of possible issues. All of our users might not have the same version of Microsoft Outlook, which could make things a bit challenging.

In addition the content that will utilized in the training may need to be recreated depending on the company. If various designers are going to utilize this training concept then there are a few different recording programs that can be used, such as snag it, camtasia, or vara software.

Selecting a delivery system...

I really was on the fence about what the best approach for my training would be. I thought face to face instruction would be the best approach, however after trying to figure out the best way to present the various matierals that I was coming up with, I decided that since they need to learn to use outlook, why not make it a self paced/distance training program that requires them to communicate with others via e-mail.

User/Learner Objectives...

I am confused on how to write learner objectives. I think I am looking for an example, because when I write them they sound like instructional objectives. It just seems strange that we would write a learning objective by stating:

I want to learn...or I hope to learn...

http://www.blinklist.com/tag/educational%20technology/

http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/admin/index.htm

More websites that I remember being helpful from last semester.

Here are the websites that I made in Edtec 541:
http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~waters/keoni/welcome.htm

http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~waters/portfolio/welcome.htm

http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~waters/assign/ments.htm

http://www.cognitivedesignsolutions.com/Instruction/LearningTheory.htm

I found this website that I found to be really helpful.

Project Proposal

Lisa Waters
EDTEC 544
Project Proposal


Effective Communication via E-mail in today’s professional world

In today’s busy high tech professional world there is a lack of professionalism that is developing in today’s e-mail communications. More often than not you have people of all ages, all skill levels and varying degrees of computer literacy trying to effectively communicate essential information to one another. Although this challenge has caused many to seek out ways of improving their e-mail communication skills, this form of communication has caused many misunderstandings among colleagues and has caused a decline in productivity, numerous HR issues, and very minor office quarrels. Therefore designing a basic “how to” training course on how to effectively communicate via e-mail would try to standardize the communication styles within an organization and would create some basic e-mail edicate and standards for communication.

The instruction would introduce basic Microsoft Outlook skills to the employees, which would include basic instruction on how to send, reply, forward e-mails, etc. In addition it would begin to introduce some basic dos and don’ts of e-mail usage. Once the students are able to create, reply and send e-mails the instruction will then focus on proper edicate when creating and responding to various types of e-mails in a professional manner.

The population of learners would be a specific pool of employees that hold specific positions within a financial institution. The class would be provided to any employee that has to directly or indirectly communicate via e-mail on a regular basis with the public and with internal employees. This would be about 90% of the employees. The employees are between the ages of 18 and 65, with the average age range being between the ages of 20 and 35. With such a range in age there are a few issues that cause a communication barrier amongst employees. The younger generations may tend to use language, slang, or acronyms, such as LOL, that some times the older generations do not understand. In addition the older generations may not feel as comfortable using e-mail or may not be as proficient in e-mail usage that they may choose not to read or communicate at all through e-mail which can frustrate other employees. In addition all of the participants would be fluent in English, and some will be bilingual. Bilingual communication will not be addressed in this training class.

By educating employees on how to utilize their e-mail and how to effectively communicate via e-mail, we should cut down on miscommunications and communication break downs in the work place, which will improve company moral and also improve productivity. When the employees are communicating in a fashion that they are all able to understand then we are able to get more information across in a quicker more effective fashion.

My first posting...

Hello,

I actually have never set up a blog before. I am guessing it is very similar to an online journal. As the class goes on I will post additional comments.

Have a great day!

Lisa