Laura Taylor - Instructional Design E-Portfolio

E-Learning

Advances in technology and increase in use of digital, electronic and web-based tools create ample opportunities for Elearning. On one hand lack of or poor infrastructure pose challenges and hinder access to information, but on the other hand, wireless devices and services provide anytime, anywhere access to information-sharing and learning, in multiple formats, with multiple perspectives, and for different learning styles. Mobile learning, Bring-Your-Own-Device learning strategy, smartphones, tablets, notepads, cloud-based technology and resources, free and open-source software and applications, game-based learning, and social media all facilitate synchronous and asynchronous communications and networking, research, sharing and creating information and knowledge via the web.

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E-learning holds a wealth of possibilitities for learning and development and for instructional design. Experience gathered through the MSc. IDT programme has brought an increased awareness of these immense benefits. Performance support systems may be created and hosted in this environment for quick, instant and convenient access to information, as well as the co-construction, sharing, collaboration, and organisation of procedures, processes, guidelines, or troubleshooting, to groups, e.g. new entrants to an organisation or refresher information for existing employees. Blogs, wikis, web-based tools, online games, personal work spaces/sites provide exciting or different learning experiences aimed at developing knowledge and discovery learning, and learning communities among students, participants, or employees in an organisation. Either way, learning is active, as individuals source their own knowledge requirements; and tangible as they co-create a product with which they can identify, share, and continue to use and improve even after formal learning has ended. Learners and users may therefore become more engaged and motivated as they seek their own knowledge and take responsibility for personal learning and development. This medium may also supplement formal learning, to stimulate learning experiences and add interest and novelty to otherwise mundane learning experiences.

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Blended Learning

My belief is that blended learning offers the best of both worlds! In one instance, eLearning affords flexibility and convenience compared to the hassle of commuting, parking, or juggling routines and responsibilities prior to face-to-face learning. With eLearning, engaged participants learn, share information, exchange ideas and collaborate with their peers from the comfort of their home, during lunch breaks or via mobile learning, or from their work environment; resources, multimedia, and tools add excitement, creativity, and multiple perspectives for learning, access, and presentation of information; and the more introverted and or reflective learner benefits from the time allocated for self-paced learning, reflection, and sometimes interacting from the ‘safety’ of avatars, and electronic profiles.

 

On the other hand, nothing beats the traditional face-to-face interaction where everyone is exposed to familiar visual and non-verbal cues and gestures to engage, support, motivate, and and elicit participation and performance. The opportunity for spontaneous and immediate feedback, clarification, discussion and natural communication are desired characteristics of face-to-face learning that surpass other benefits of online learning. Additionally, hands-on, active, experiential, and social learning is shared and 'live' in an interactive environment that may outrank isolation and electronic presence of peers and facilitators in a eLearning environment.

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Online or Blended?

Both environments require designers to effectively plan and structure learning that is socially and developmentally responsive to human needs and preferences. Choice is also guided by the availability of technological resources and infrastructure, budgetary resources to create the cricital elements of each environment towards implementation and delivery of the learning.

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E-Learning Projects

A selection of my projects may be viewed by clicking here.

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