Week 3: Selecting Distance Learning Technologies

For this week's blog assignment I chose Example 1: Collaborative Training Environment. In this example I (as the instructional designer) was tasked with implementing a training workshop for the six regional offices of a major corporation. Unfortunately, the staff is located throughout all the different offices and cannot meet at the same time or in the same location. The staff members need to be able to share information in the form of screen captures, documents and also participated in ongoing collaboration.

The distance learning technology that I felt would be most appropriate for this project was some type of discussion technology. Nabble was discussed in our resources for this week. Nabble allows asynchronous and synchronous threaded conversations- discussions in which the postings are related to a specific topic. Users can also add media to their posting (n.d.).

These are basically continuous online discussions forums. Northern Arizona University has used discussion forums for its students since the 90's (Markel, 2001). IBM also uses online communities of coworkers in virtual classrooms where they take part in discussions or tasks facilitated by an expert in the area (Koller, Harvey, & Magnotta, 2008). This type of distance learning technology will allow the staff in the example to be active participants in discussions, exchange information and ideas, and encourage collaboration.

References

Koller, V., Harvey, S., & Magnotta, M. (2008). Technology-based learning strategies. Social Policy Research Associates Inc., Retrieved from http://www.doleta.gov/reports/papers/TBL_Paper_FINAL.pdf

Markel, S. L. (2001).Technology and education online discussion forums: It's in the response. Online Journal of distance Learning Administration. Summer 2001 - Volume IV, Number 2:1/31/02. Retrieved from http://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/summer42/markel42.html

The technology of distance education. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_3467554_1%26url%3D