Training Room Simulations by Enspire Learning.

On Wednesday, Sept 5 I participated (listened in on) a webcast presented by the American Management Association. The presenters were owners of Enspire Learning a company that creates simulations and games for training purposes. One of the points I found most interesting had to do with attracting Gen Y employees into "training rooms." Unlike previous generational cohorts this group has spent more time in online activity than they have in watching TV. As a result trainers and organizations that develop workplace training, have to find creative, interactive ways to reach this cohort. When you click on Enspire Learning's site you will find a list of "Quick Jump Options" and can choose to view a demo. You will need to register an account but it takes a second and the demos are good and highly interactive. Much of their content has to do with decision making regarding resource allocation. I have looked at the "Global Supply Chain" and "Virtual Team management" and found the second to be less complex. I'm looking forward to your comments. Let me know which games or simulations you especially found interesting.

Cindy

Instructables

In looking for examples of learning objects (on the lighter side), I came across the Instructables website (love the name) which has little how tos submitted by inventive folks who want to share. Check out the instructable for Bowling Ball Garden Water Feature at http://www.instructables.com/id/E4LXFU1F5R8MS43/ There is a comments section at the bottom for feedback and exchange of ideas. I like the quality improvement aspect that the comments function affords. Although most of the content I viewed was not stellar, I think the idea is, and that something like this in an educational environment would be very engaging and fun for students. There are a lot of recycling ideas that could be worked into a global issues module. Students could come up with ideas and create their own modules. Here's one that was created by a physics teacher that includes a video http://www.instructables.com/id/ENMGONMF54HJ2QJ/ and hyperlinks throughout the description.

The Flat Classroom Project

In connection with technology and geographical ignorance, innovators are making strides in helping learners to learn about the world. Learning and Leading with Technology is an International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) publication. In the August, 2007 (Vol 35:1) issue in an article by Julie Lindsay and Vicki Davis, The Flat Classroom Project is discussed. Information on this project can be found on You Tube. It is an 8 minute video where students from around the world are involved. They share their perspectives of the experience. It is interesting.
View the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgc7ERRrLmQ&mode=related&search

Vera Bruce

Practical Article for Learning Object Authors

After reviewing our textbook E-Learning, I found it to be a very practical tool that can be used as a handbook. I also found another very practical tool. It is a 32 page article entitled: Guidelines for Authors of Learning Objects by Rachel S. Smith. It defines a learning object as “… any grouping of materials that is structured in a meaningful way and is tied to an educational objective (Johnson, 2003).”
The article offers practical advice for the designing, using and reusing of learning objects (specifically digital learning objects). Additionally, it offers “marketing” tips. This article can be accessed at http://archive.nmc.org/guidelines/NMC%20LO%20Guidelines.pdf

V. Bruce

Virtual worlds as learning systems

To quote William Sims Bainbridge (Science, vol317, 27 July 2007 (www.sciencemag.org)), Second Life is an example of current virtual worlds "that foreshadow future developments, introducing a number of research methodologies that scientists are now exploring, including formal experimentation, observational ethnography, and quantitative analysis of social networks or economic markets."

The point of interest though is more related to the "transformation of some kinds of education at precollege levels, which might harmonize with scientific values more than with traditional values. NSF has supported the development of 2 virtual worlds devoted to science education (River City, where students explore public health issues in a simulated 19th-century town; and Quest Atlantis, where preteens develop fundamental research skills by solving environmental problems)" (p475).

Bainbridge's examples above are certainly scientific education examples. However, other grants have supported humanity-related subjects. One may visit a period-piece in Second Life to walk through the streets of Rome in antiquity, visit the Renaissance island to check out 19th-century fashion, literature, music, etc.

Last but not least, the social network character of Second Life makes it a prime choice for cheap and easy foreign language practice (especially since the entire grid is now voice-enabled...also free), cross-cultural exchange (via virtual pal systems), and potential cultural virtual immersion. And that's my dissertation interest.

Also of interest:
Communities in Cyberspace
http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/soc/csoc/cinc/

Terra Nova
http://terranova.blogs.com/

Quechup: Genuine social network, questionable recruiting

Quechup has been making the news as the cool new social network. Having received an invitation by a couple of colleagues from the Second Life Researcher listserv, I felt so special! Well, my happy bubble just exploded this morning.

According to TechBlog, BoingBoing and Mashable (I even searched Technorati and Twitter on it), Quechup starts spamming your address book as soon as you are done registering. Some victims have even seen their Gmail account suspended for spamming suspicions!

So to avoid embarrassing situations and email overload, just say "no" to Quechup.

(I am now off to email all warnings about Quechup ...and dismiss whatever looked like an email from me (Quechup does recruit from your address book using your name) inviting to join Quechup.)

Good point about ethical practices in social networks.

S.

Our Ethical Obligation

The current issue of Technology and Learning magazine has a short article by Scott McLeod discussing students' feelings about "tech-phobic" professors. http://www.techlearning.com/content/about/tl_current.php "This technology-free approach to learning can't make much sense to the average 20-something college student, who may be skepticsl about her professor's general relevance in this digital era." This same issue has a good article on the need for building online communities. Jane