Posts Tagged ‘computer assisted learning’

I Later Redeveloped Them As Computer Based Instruction Modules Delivered Online

Learning guides are a useful medium for delivering flexible deliverance when the topic and circumstances are conducive to it.

According to Bruhn and Guthrie (1994), a Learning Guide is a ’structured booklet designed to direct the learner through a series of learning activities and to a range of resources to achieve specified competencies or learning outcomes”.

A educational guide is not a ‘how to’ manual like manuals that accompany television sets, microwaves and computers etc, but they may be used in conjunction with them. The key focus of learning guides (hereafter ‘guides’) is that they guide users through a structured learning experience. Manuals don’t do that, they simply a number of activities users can follow to get certain outcomes. An example will highlight the difference.
Example:

On one occasion I used guides to cover a half dozen or so small topics that were important, but which did not warrant group training sessions (I redeveloped them as computer based instruction modules delivered online). This was in an organisation that had six offices spread throughout the Northern Territory (Australia), two of which were remote. Costs for training delivery were often very high due to the need for travel, therefore, it was desirable to find alternative modes in order to keep costs.
One of the topics my guides covered for example, was titled “Using Delegations” and consisted of only 16 pages.

Note: For those not familiar with delegations, they refer to the acts or omissions a person holding a specific job can do or not do eg, approve leave of absence for a staff member,buy goods and services valued up to $30,000, or terminate an employee’s service. People exercising a delegation are called delegates. If you don’t hold delegation, then you can’t lawfully execute a task.

It was important that delegates knew what they were, or weren’t authorised to do. Non-delegates had to know who had delegation to carry out the tasks required. My short educational guide included the following parts:
A Module Overview setting out the purpose, deliverance strategy, learning outcomes, how to achieve the outcomes, resources required, and details about how the topic was to be assessed
Five learning activities
An assessment questionnaire
A summary and review page
An attached answers guide for the intermediate assessment topics (self assessment)

Educational activity one detailed the framework in which delegations exist ie, Constitutional and other legislative matters that allow delegation. There were two activities at the end of Learning Activity One. The first required learners to obtain a copy of an Act of Parliament and study several sections (about delegation). The second required people to read a description, find the section of an Act that related to that description and write in the answers on a blank table. (This was my way of making sure people actually read specific sections).

Learning activities two through five all had a similar process of getting learners to do something followed by a short self-assessment.

Finally, learners were expected to answer 10 “fill in the answer” questions and answers for two small case studies involving real life delegations activities.

The former required learners to refer to the organisation’s Delegations Manual and record which delegation (if any) fitted a specific circumstance. When learners completed the assessment questionnaire, they would fax it to the Training Department. One of my people would mark it and provide feedback about the result.

Each learning activity covered a separate, small part of the whole topic. (People learn in small bits). I provided feedback through self-assessment and faxed assessment. (People need feedback). Topics were logically sequenced. (People need to work from general concepts to specific concepts). Learners used the manuals and legislation that actually applied to them in their everyday jobs. (Adult learners particularly want to learn ‘real’, practical solutions, not deal with fiction).

You’ll understand now how the structure in a learning guide and the use of instructional design principles makes them different from a standard operating manual. One key advantage of educational guides is that you don’t have to incorporate documents that are elsewhere available … all you do is reference them. If they change, it’s not that difficult to update your learning guide.

Online Education Actually Began With The Introduction Of The “Computer Assisted Learning Center”

When the educational process takes place in an location other than a live classroom, it is known as distance education. The idea of distance education can be traced by to the advent of the printing press. from the very earliest days of printing, it became possible to develop a learning method whereby the student learned at his own pace and without the aid of an instructor. The self help manual is one of the earliest examples of distance learning.

As each new scientific advance was made, the possibilities of its adaptation for distance learning were explored. When radios came into common use, the possibilities of giving instruction via this medium were investigated. Television was a major advance that was used in distance training. The development of closed circuit television networks made it possible for classrooms to be spread out over great distances with the instructor in one location, and the students in another. The drawback to this method was that it still required the student to be truly present at the time the class was being held. It did not free him of that restraint.

It was the introduction of computers, and the wide spread increase of the internet that brought us to the current golden age of distance learning. Online education actually began with the introduction of the “Computer Assisted Learning Center” (CALC) in 1982 in Rindge, New Hampshire. This was the first actual online school in the United States although a similar program was being tested in Norway at around the same time. In was not until 1994-1995 when the internet became more widespread and available to the public from small and local internet service providers that online schooling really began to explode.

The first stage was the introduction of individual classes online. They were intended to supplement on campus classes and not replace them. There was a bit of reluctance in the educational establishment to change the traditional methods, and this reluctance still exists to some extend. It is fast fading, however, as the advantages of online schooling became apparent. Before long, you could find a complete degree program online. This was followed by online degree colleges. At the present time, online education opportunities increase with each passing day, and the status of online degrees and how they are received by employers is improving constantly as the internet becomes more integrated into daily life.

There was a bit of reluctance in the educational establishment to change the traditional methods, and this reluctance still exists to some extend. It is fast fading, however, as the advantages of online education became apparent. Before long, you could find a complete degree programs online. Online degrees are available for many academic fields. This was followed by online degree colleges. At the present time, online education opportunities increase with each passing day, and the status of online degrees and how they are received by employers is improving constantly as the internet becomes more integrated into daily life.

Lack Of Financial Education Instruction?

Can you truly care about the security and the monetary future of your student’s or children? If so it is imperative that you prepare them for the monetary challenges that await them as they move away from home.

The National Youth financial Educators Council developed these ten simple tips that will assist your child avoid the financial pitfalls that plague so many young people today.
Tip #1 Relate money to Lifestyle. Who cares about ? It’s what allows us to do that motivates our children to learn about personal finance. Talk to your child about their personal dreams and discover what they’re passionate about.

Then relate their aspirations to how understanding cash basics will make their life easier and will help them reach their goals sooner.

Tip #2 Eliminate Limiting Beliefs about money. Even though many of us have had difficulties handling our finances – mostly due to lack of education instruction – we must avoid passing along negative associations about . It’s OK to share mistakes with your child just be sure to do it in an encouraging way. Reverse those old false sayings because “you can make without money”.

Tip #3 Develop Their Foundation Skills. There are key personal traits that will make it easier your child to achieve the level of success they desire. The top five traits that will give your child a monetary head start include: organization / time management, ethical character, developing a proper mindset, living ones passions and the ability to communicate effectively. These five real world skills will give your son or daughter a huge advantage in life.
Tip #4 Savings Plan. Get your child, teen or young adult in a habit of saving cash. As long as you pay for their food and housing bills have them set aside 40% of all income they receive, including gifts and earned allowance, into a savings account.

Lack of savings is the biggest problem plaguing most Americans so them avoid debt by encouraging a savings plan as soon as possible.

Tip #5 Build a Solid financial Foundation. Make sure your child has their: checking, savings, Roth IRA and brokerage accounts open as soon as possible (even if they do not have cash to put into their brokerage or retirement accounts right now). People that have these accounts open are more likely to save their and begin investing at a young age. Plus, it gives them an added sense of responsibility and status which are essential in the development of financially responsible children.

Tip #6 Power of Compounding Interest. Youth gives our children a huge advantage when it comes to their monetary health due to compounding interest. When harnessed young, this powerful monetary force will make securing their future and living the lifestyle they want a breeze. What’s more, it’s motivating to young adults to know that if they just invest $100 per month they can hit the million dollar mark in their fifties. Showing them how compounding interest works gets them excited and is a great way to them think about the future.

Tip #7 Raising Free Thinkers. In today’s age, from the moment our newborn is exposed to the real world, they are brainwashed with advertiser’s messages to “buy, buy, buy”. Teach them to evaluate advertising by asking “what are they trying to convince me of”, “who are they targeting” and “what does this goal of this ad”. Doing so will your child evaluate advertisements logically, instead of emotionally, and pick up marketing knowledge which is a key skill of many successful people.

Tip #8 Credit. Building a rock solid credit history will save your child tens of thousands of dollars throughout their lifetime. Understanding the basics of how credit reporting agencies work and how to use credit cards as a tool to build up their credit scores will put them well ahead of the ‘average’ person. Teach your children to pay their bills on time, keep debt low and introduce them to credit cards.

Tip #9 Three Keys to Wealth. For many the thought of investing can seem overwhelming because they don’t know what to invest in. This doesn’t need to be the case because the three investment vehicles that have created almost all (over 90%) financially free people include: the monetary (stock) market, real estate and entrepreneurial endeavors. Since pensions and SSI will be a thing of the past when your children reach retirement age, it is critical they pick up some basic investment skills to ensure their monetary security. It is imperative you talk to your children about each of these investment vehicles to assist build their awareness of potential future investment options.

Tip #10 Entrepreneurial skills – In the 21st century, entrepreneurial skills are essential. With many jobs being sent oversees to capitalize on cheaper labor it is now more than ever your child has the skills that employers want. Employers want people that think outside the box; so entrepreneurial skills will not only them start their own business but will help them stand out in corporate America. Encourage them to start a business and give them the resources so they know what steps to take.

Bonus Tip: Provide Your Children a Professional monetary Education Course. A professional monetary education course that has been certified by the National Youth monetary Educators Council is the only way to ensure that your children learn everything they need to know about . We send our children to school to learn math, biology, literature but not money. We give them a professional education on many other subjects; shouldn’t we give them a professional education on a subject they will use every day of their life?