Chrisp’s e-learning expriences

Webinar as a term seem to be relatively new. Whilst researching material on the subject i find the use of the term webinar extremely rare prior to 2000. Before that the method did exist and was in common use however it seems more likely to be referred to as ‘web conference’ or ’synchronous e-learning’. A succinct definition provided in a 2004 publication that explores the subject is as follows;

Conduct a “webinar One step beyond a telephone seminar is a webinar. A webinar is a combination telephone and \\’eb browser seminar. Similar to a telephone seminar, participants call into a conference coordinator to hear the audio of the presentation.

At the same time, they connect to a website that displays the presenter’s slides. The slide presentation is synchronized and controlled by the presenter as if the presenter was in the room with the participants (Florzak 2004, p. 158)

I found this of interest

The Society of Automotive Engineers, an organisation of which I am a member makes extensive use of ‘Webcasting’. Following is a promo for the service. They are quite active in advertising the service and promoting the benefits of the method.

“Convenient and cost effective, SAE’s Telephone/Webcasts offer 90-120 minutes of engaging dialogue from top subject-matter experts, along with an invaluable opportunity to customize your learning through interactive question-and-answer sessions. Topics cover current and emerging technologies and related issues, challenges and perspectives.” (SAE 2008)

Synchronous e-learning is a term used to describe a type of e-learning that takes place in ‘real’ time. This is interest in relation to my research into webinars.  Following news item sheds light on synchronous e-learning popularity and growth.

““Synchronous e-learning now constitutes a third of all e-learning activities in the USA – or ten per cent of the total learning activities in the whole of the USA,” revealed the eLN’s chairman, Clive Shepherd. “Moreover, the take-up of synchronous e-learning in Europe

is accelerating as organisations seek to cut down on travel expenses and reduce their carbon emissions.

 

ClickPress 2008, The eLearning Network provides a unique learning opportunity, ClickPress

viewed 24/09/08 2008 <http://www.clickpress.com/releases/Detailed/90368005cp.shtml>.

As with most industries, economies or comunities e-learning in its various forms has been adopted with enthusiasm within the industry that i work. I train and educate in the Automotive service and repair sector. As a trainer for a major automotive manufacturer teaching mainly in technological change in this sector it can be effective to make use of the tools offered by e-learning. For the purpose of developing my own skill and knowledge of e-learning i have sigened up for a industry seminar on………you guessed it!……e-learning.  The following passage is an excerpt from a industry flyer promoting the seminar;

“This is a must attend night for all those person’s involved with training in the Automotive Industry, a night where you can get some real hands on experience with ‘E’ Learning Techniques, and in this case it will be concerned with ‘POD’ casting” (IAME 2008).

I have stumbled across the term ‘ALN’ or Asynchrous Learning Networks and a paper/ case study conducted in the subject. Makes for an interesting read. It seems ALN may be something of a generic term covering of on all sorts of e-learning. However of particular interest to be are the sections in relation to web conferencing or ‘webinars’. Included in the passage is an example of a effective case study con one organisation. This i intend to examine in finer detail possibly as a webinar case study.

Following is a passage from the paper describing ALNs;

Asynchronous Learning Networks (ALNs) provide the capability to learn anywhere and at any time. The acronym ALN might just as well be used to represent the term Anywhere/Anytime Learning Networks1. Both interpretations reflect and emphasize that ALNs are different from traditional distance learning methods (e.g., video broadcasting) because the learner can be anywhere and can learn at any time. While an ALN might be a correspondence course or a course offered by recording messages on answering machines, most modern interpretations link ALN with on-line or world-wide-webbased learning. The key ingredient of an ALN is the capability for learners to learn anywhere and at anytime and to be part of a community of learners. Modern implementations of ALN systems utilize conferencing systems and on-line reading materials and exercises. In many curricula, the traditional classroom experience is best characterized as a “sage on the stage” (Bourne et al. 1997, p. 1) 

It is interesting to note that not all users of e-learning define it and its uses the same. Much like anything in life , as ‘they’ say. Whilst strolling through the colourful landscape that is weblogs i came across the following passage that kind of grabbed my imagination;

‘The very first point Richardson makes is that “this may look like a book about technology, but it’s really a book about …connections” (p.vii). With a nod to Jonassen, the author discusses “cool tools”, “collaborations and conversations” and “creatively motivating students to learn more deeply” using a teaching and learning “toolbox” (p.9). He’s obviously talking about e-learning, but does not see the need to define what it is. So, e-learning has become a common if imprecise term used to refer to technology-enhanced learning’ .

The elearning ‘industry’ appears to be set for continued growth as the methods and techniques gain popularity and prove there effectiveness. The following news article bares witness to this reality.

“E-learning giant creates 450 Dublin jobs – €350m investment in R&D

10.09.2008
E-learning global player Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) – formerly known as Riverdeep – is to create 450 jobs at a new R&D headquarters in Dublin, it emerged today.

Tags: http://siliconrepublic.com/news/article/11403/business/

Seems there are a  smorgasbord of different e-learning providers offering varied services online.

Choosing a good course could be challenging.

Following is a passage from one provider that may be of some value.

“ABOUT THE COURSE
The technical competencies essential or desirable for virtual reference librarians to acquire or to improve on are the foundation of virtual reference service provision. Virtual reference service is built on a technical infrastructure. The Internet, the World Wide Web, e-mail, Web chat, Instant Messaging, and all the associated supportive technology and software are the environment in which virtual reference librarians work. In “Virtual Reference Competencies: Acquire and Improve Technical Skills and Knowledge,” participants will engage in learning activities, supported by readings as well as lecture and discussion to acquire and improve the technical competencies required by effective virtual reference librarians.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
·         assess and improve your ability to type on a computer keyboard and make use of other related input devices (mouse, trackball, touchpad, etc.)
·         assess and improve your work with multiple software applications on a computer with multiple windows, to move appropriately between windows/applications, and to move quickly and mindfully between multiple activities chatting, searching print or electronic sources, etc. (minimal multi-tasking)
·         evaluate and add to your detailed functional knowledge of how to access the Internet, use Internet e-mail, connect to Web sites
·         increase your detailed functional knowledge of at least one Web browser
·         cultivate your awareness of the basic technologies that any given virtual reference service user may or may not be using, have access to, or be limited by
·         develop awareness of the chat software specifics for a given system you are going to be using then develop detailed functional knowledge of the specific chat software used by your library or other organization for chat reference
·         cultivate awareness of how to connect to and chat through Web-based chat software, Internet messaging, etc.
·         add to your awareness of the options for document or information delivery”

The following posting is directly from the ‘gynesis’ Web confernece site. It is a little feedback from the Siemans organisation in realtio to their exprience with the webinar format. Although not exactly a case study it is intersting in light of my webinar enquiries.

‘At a time when we have to control travel costs generally under the Move 25 initiative, Siemens Meeting Centre, provided by Genesys Conferencing, is an immediate fix. There is still much to be said for face to face meetings, but we use Siemens Meeting Centre as a strategic tool, for example as we try to ensure that businesses are involved in policy development. The use of Siemens Meeting Centre is exactly in accordance with the SSS Vision and Values and will help us achieve our short and medium term objectives. From a team perspective, I hope that my colleagues would agree with my assessment that in an increasingly complex business arena Siemens Meeting Centre has improved the spread of knowledge and support available.’ <http://www.genesys.com/sg/Company/customers.html>

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Well i continue my research into e-learing i extend my knowledge through the process. I suppose you could say that just ’surfing the net’ is a form of e-learning. I have much to say about my exprience of e-learning through the engagment of the method by my own employing orgaisation. We use elearning and have for some time. In the form of online static content; webinar style presentation sessions; LMS or Learning Management database systems and through the provision of video feed of new information. These methods, as far as i can ascertain have, over time proven effective in imparting  learning. With in the next few weeks, on this weblog i intend to elloborate on my expriences within my organisation and relate them to the expriences of others within other organisations. Although as mentioned i have had quite exprience with the method my excitment about understanding its potential continues to grow with research.