Conference logo
[ ascilite 2007 ] [ Call for papers ] [ Workshops ] [ Registration ]

ascilite 2007 Workshop

Engaging, interactive and memorable
online learning

Rod Sims
Knowledgecraft and Capella University, USA
[full day]
ObjectivesThe workshop is designed as an interactive and participative session where the presenter will pose key challenges in the creation of emergent, engaging, interactive and motivational online learning environments. A particular feature of the workshop will be examining strategies to integrate Web 2.0 components such as blogs, podcasts, and social networking. Using multi-disciplinary perspectives, participants will engage in activities and discussions designed to contextualise these challenges and develop institutional-specific design and development solutions for their individual online learning programs. On completion of the workshop participants will have a set of tools to support the construction of their own "online architectures".

The expertise of Dr Sims in the international higher education sectors in instructional design, learning design and contemporary online learning environments will ensure participants will develop their knowledge and skills to maximise the success of their own online teaching and learning practice.

At the end of this one-day workshop, participants will have:

  • Reviewed and critically reflected on the key components of effective, meaningful and memorable online learning;
  • Analysed the major issues that both confront and prevent designers from achieving the full potential of web-based learning;
  • Developed an understanding of the implications of Web 2.0 for online learning design;
  • Synthesised the key elements required to construct effective web learning environments, including emergent design, proactive evaluation and interaction metrics;
  • Participated in a case study of their own workplace environment to implement contextual and functional web-based learning contexts; and
  • Access to a full set of resources and tools to develop and implement more complex web-based learning architectures within their workplace.
Intended audienceThe intended audience for this workshop are educational and instructional designers responsible for supporting online learning pedagogy, academics implementing online environments, and instructional, educational and curriculum designers from the training and education sectors. In addition, those keen to better understand strategies to realise the full potential of online learning environments will benefit from the workshop.

To maximise the outcomes that will accrue from the workshop, participants should be familiar with current web-based learning development and delivery environments and be active in the implementation of web environments within their own institution or organisation.

Facilitator
Photo
Dr Roderick Sims has worked in the technology and education field for over 25 years. During that period he has seen significant change both in the technology we use and the ways in which we design educational environments to effectively use that technology. Dr Sims has worked as both a consultant in educational technology as well as designing and implementing undergraduate and postgraduate programs at the University of Technology Sydney and Southern Cross University. Over the last five years he has been working Capella University, with responsibilities for online teaching, course development and PhD supervision in the field of Instructional Design for Online Learning. Dr Sims is a Fellow of ASCILITE, has attended every ASCILITE conference, has presented widely in Australia and internationally and is internationally respected for his work on the design of interactive and engaging learning environments.

Earlier versions of this workshop were presented successfully at:
AusWeb 2006 http://ausweb.scu.edu.au/aw06/conf/workshops.html
ASCILITE 2006 http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/sydney06/images/workshop/details/workshop4.pdf
AusWeb 2007 http://ausweb.scu.edu.au/aw07/conf/workshops.html#rodsims

Details of activities The workshop is divided into morning and afternoon sessions.

The morning session will focus on the underpinning principles and practices that enable online education to cater for different learning and performance environments. The concept of 'architecture' as a framework for web based learning will be presented and analysed. Examples from different disciplines will be used to highlight the ways in which web based learning can benefit from emergent thinking. This will include the integration of:

  • Emergent modelling strategies: The importance of applying a multi-disciplinary approach to the creation and implementation of contemporary web based learning environments that cater for the dynamics of social networking;
  • Web 2.0 components: Blogs, podcasts, social networking, wikis
  • Principles of online pedagogy: Presentation and analysis of the key factors that contribute to the development of contextual and individual web learning applications; and
  • Metrics for interaction: Presentation of heuristics and metrics that identify and underpin the critical elements of interaction that facilitate engagement and construction of meaning. Includes examples of engaging, meaningful and memorable interactions.
The afternoon session will involve a case-study where online learning contexts will be applied to settings associated with different learning outcomes and contexts.

At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will have a complete set of tools to create web-based learning environments or 'architectures' that are interactive, engaging, economic and outcome oriented.

Program
09:30-09:40Welcome, introductions and expectations
09:40-10:00The status of online learning; Key factors facing design of effective online learning
10:00-10:30Architectures and models of online learning
10:30-10:45Morning tea
10:45-11:15The Web 2.0 phenomenon: challenge or opportunity?
11:15-11:45Emergent design and online pedagogy; Three-phase design
11:45-12:30Interactive metrics
12:30-13:30Lunch
13:30-15:00Case study
15:00-15:15Afternoon tea
15:15-15:45Case study feedback and discussion
15:45-16:15Design by institutional needs; Predictions for practice and implementation
16:15-16:30Questions and wrap-up

ReferencesRecent references that will support the delivery of the workshop include:

Irlbeck, S., Kays, E., Jones, D. & Sims, R. (2006). The phoenix rising: Emergent models of instructional design. Distance Education, 27(2).

Kays, E. (2003a). Architecture and instructional design: A model for e-learning. Proceeedings of E-Learn 2003: World Conference in E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare & Higher Education, Phoenix, AZ, 257-264.

Kays, E. (2003b). Creating emergent discourse: A critical ingredient in e-learning. Proceedings of E-Learn 2003: World Conference in E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare & Higher Education, Phoenix, AZ, 252-256.

Kays, E. (2003c). The four pillars of rapport: A critical ingredient in e-learning. Proceedings of the Interior Design Educators Council International Conference, San Diego, CA, 46-48.

Sims, R. & Hedberg, J. (2006). Encounter theory: A model to enhance online communication, interaction and engagement. In C. Jawah (Ed), Interactions in online education: Implications for theory and practice. London: Routledge.

Sims, R. (2006). Beyond instructional design: Making learning design a reality. Journal of Learning Design, 1(2), 1-8. https://olt.qut.edu.au/udf/jld/index.cfm?fa=getFile&rNum=3054563&pNum=3012676

Sims, R. & Stork, E. (2007). Design for contextual learning: Web-based environments that engage diverse learners. In J. Richardson & A. Ellis (Eds), Proceedings of AusWeb07. Lismore, NSW: Southern Cross University. http://ausweb.scu.edu.au/aw07/papers/refereed/sims/

[ ascilite 2007 ] [ Call for papers ] [ Workshops ] [ Registration ]
This URL: http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/singapore07/workshops/sims.html
HTML created 11 Sep 2007. Last revision: 11 Sep 2007.