When we talk about open source, we should already be past the cost/benefit discussion on it. It's for a good cause. It unlocks information for benefit of all, it provides a resource for students, faculty and alumni that supports learning and collaboration.
Now what comes to my mind is: maintenance issues. Since it's open, we are supposed to build a community that contributes to one or more courseware projects. I guess unlike the packages that are more technical and have more tendencies of bugs, I suppose there aren't any potential "patches" or "updates" on the technical side of our e-learning materials. However, if there is one change that needs to be made, then the whole package needs to be updated and uploaded.
I definitely embrace open source/courseware. It benefits the whole world. However, will I be participating in the development and maintenance, and keep up with it? I'm not too sure unless I become old and still passionate about what I do in my professional life. Also key word here is TIME, the time that I can set other priorities aside and the amount of time I can commit to this meaningful endeavor.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Blog Post for Week 11
As we get closer to doing the Web-based module using scenario-based design, what are your biggest concerns?
My biggest concern right now is branching. I'm using one or two scenarios for my project. And I'm afraid it will turn into some story telling, that is, linear problem resolving that starts with the issue, and the solution can't branch out to different scenarios.
What skills would you still like to learn during this class (other than Web design)?
I wish I could have more time exploring what Captivate can do, and have an opportunity in class to talk about each software's capabilities and how using all of them can compliment the functionalities of each other.
What cool things have you discovered that you would like to share with your classmates?
Well, they may already know, but I just found out how to split audio tracks and actually insert a sound in the original sound track in Audacity. In the first podcast project, I had to use Camtasia to combine music and my recording.
What I also discovered in PowerPoint is: In "Customize Animation", you can start one sound, and manually set the seconds for all other pictures and texts to come in by going to Timing, and Delay. Another thing about embedding sound in PowerPoint is: the only file that could be embedded is WAV files, mp3 files need to be converted into WAV, and the program you can download is CDex, and here is the URL:
http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00155.htm
My biggest concern right now is branching. I'm using one or two scenarios for my project. And I'm afraid it will turn into some story telling, that is, linear problem resolving that starts with the issue, and the solution can't branch out to different scenarios.
What skills would you still like to learn during this class (other than Web design)?
I wish I could have more time exploring what Captivate can do, and have an opportunity in class to talk about each software's capabilities and how using all of them can compliment the functionalities of each other.
What cool things have you discovered that you would like to share with your classmates?
Well, they may already know, but I just found out how to split audio tracks and actually insert a sound in the original sound track in Audacity. In the first podcast project, I had to use Camtasia to combine music and my recording.
What I also discovered in PowerPoint is: In "Customize Animation", you can start one sound, and manually set the seconds for all other pictures and texts to come in by going to Timing, and Delay. Another thing about embedding sound in PowerPoint is: the only file that could be embedded is WAV files, mp3 files need to be converted into WAV, and the program you can download is CDex, and here is the URL:
http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00155.htm
Blog post for week 9
I looked at one of the PowerPoint developed by previous student in EME6415: The Master of the E-mail. I thought it's a good teaching material for using online email, and it's fun. But it has the following issues:
1. Branching
I don't see any branching in this PowerPoint. With Scenario-based design, if it's just one story, it is hard to branch out into different scenarios. I guess it's all about the topic that we are choosing.
2. False Information
I notice the answer that this tutorial is giving to a person who doesn't know the password is: "Call the person who helped you set up the account. They may remember your password." THAT is amazing! :)
3. There is no game or quiz in the end, but a one-page survey. And technically I don't think the survey will go anywhere because there is no recording mechanism to tally up the answers. It certainly serves no purpose for the learner.
4. Here is something minor. In the beginning, the same screen shows up whether the learner chooses YES or NO to the question. I thought that was interesting.
I would make the following changes.
1. Always double check to see if screens are consistent.
2. Change the survey to a quiz.
3. Add the "email address registration process" piece in the tutorial since it's all about email and how can you start using email when you don't even know what email is.
1. Branching
I don't see any branching in this PowerPoint. With Scenario-based design, if it's just one story, it is hard to branch out into different scenarios. I guess it's all about the topic that we are choosing.
2. False Information
I notice the answer that this tutorial is giving to a person who doesn't know the password is: "Call the person who helped you set up the account. They may remember your password." THAT is amazing! :)
3. There is no game or quiz in the end, but a one-page survey. And technically I don't think the survey will go anywhere because there is no recording mechanism to tally up the answers. It certainly serves no purpose for the learner.
4. Here is something minor. In the beginning, the same screen shows up whether the learner chooses YES or NO to the question. I thought that was interesting.
I would make the following changes.
1. Always double check to see if screens are consistent.
2. Change the survey to a quiz.
3. Add the "email address registration process" piece in the tutorial since it's all about email and how can you start using email when you don't even know what email is.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
