Interactive Learning Tools That Won’t Break Your Budget

Posted by Brianna Richardson

This post is provided by guest blogger, Brianna Richardson, graduate student University of St. Francis, MS Training and Development program.

The most effective eLearning courses utilize interactive components to drive engagement. However, training budgets may not always allow for the purchase of new technology. “15 Free Interactive eLearning Tools” by Hannah Malmstrom (2022) provides a list of interactive tools that won’t break the budget for trial and pilot adoption. The author provides a comprehensive review of a variety of platforms that can be used to increase engagement in online courses. Each review includes criteria such as highlights, best use, and cost. The tools named offer features that are in alignment with current eLearning trends like microlearning, social learning, and collaboration.

I recommend this article for instructors that are researching different learning management systems to help boost engagement in their online courses. The list of 15 free tools features a variety of platforms that creates a comparison view and allows the reader to identify those to research further. The solutions offer ways for learners to interact using quizzes, games, and progress reporting. Malmstrom (2022) goes the extra mile and even highlights who the best audience is for some of the tools. This allows the person researching to focus their attention on the features and audience that would best suit their need.

Reference

Malstrom, H. (2022, January 10). 15 free interactive eLearning tools. EdApp Microlearning. https://www.edapp.com/blog/10-interactive-elearning-tools/

Traditional Assessments Gone Virtual

Posted by Brianna Richardson

This post is provided by guest blogger, Brianna Richardson, a graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in the Training and Development program.

As technology continues to transform learning landscapes with e-learning, it is vital to stay aware of current technologies that can help educators track student understanding in online environments. In the article “7 Ways to Do Formative Assessments in Your Virtual Classroom” for Edutopia, Nora Fleming (2020) provides a thought-provoking take on how instructors can take familiar assessment strategies, that were once implemented in-person, and apply them in a digital space to verify how well students are learning. Fleming gives readers a number of creative ideas on how to add virtual value using digital platforms to deliver reflection and connection opportunities.

The article is a comprehensive overview of different online platforms that can help learners connect with their peers, complete learning objectives, and identify knowledge gaps. It is a great read for instructors, or trainers, that understand traditional assessment strategies and are looking for ways to apply them to an online learning environment. After reading, instructors will be aware of innovative solutions for assessing online learning outcomes. The article highlights platforms like Canva for online journal reflections, Padlet for live knowledge checks, or video conferencing platforms for peer-to-peer evaluation (Fleming, 2020). The strategies aren’t new, but the delivery method may be.

Reference

Fleming, N. (2020, October 1). 7 ways to do formative assessments in your virtual classroom. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/7-ways-do-formative-assessments-your-virtual-classroom/

Winning Strategies for Online Learning

Posted by Brianna Richardson

This post is provided by guest blogger, Brianna Richardson, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Training and Development program.

During the pandemic, more courses began being offered online than ever before. However, some educators have been using proven teaching methods for online learning for quite some time. For Edutopia, Michael Ralph (2020) provides an insightful summary of a study that interviewed a group of eight award-winning online instructors, with more than 100 years combined experience, to identify key strategies that can make an online course more engaging. Strategies like student created content, intentional learning reflection opportunities, and current multimedia sources were used by these seasoned online educators. The article provides actionable suggestions for creating engaging and relevant online courses.

I would recommend this article for educators, or trainers, that are still adapting to the world of online learning. Ralph uses real world examples to create a clear roadmap for how to design an award-winning online course. I have even seen some of the listed recommendations utilized in our graduate program. One specific example is the use of discussion posts as an opportunity to reflect on what has been learned. Every course I’ve taken in the program uses this reflection activity. The article highlights how the subjects of the study intentionally created these opportunities in the lesson plan (Ralph, 2020).

Reference

Ralph, M. (2020, April 17). Teaching strategies of award-winning online instructors. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/teaching-strategies-award-winning-online-instructors/

Technologies Changing Learning Landscapes

Posted by Brianna Richardson

This post is provided by guest blogger, Brianna Richardson, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Training and Development program.

Cutting-edge technologies are making education more accessible and engaging. “How Modern Technology Is Reshaping the E-Learning Industry,” by Simon Moser (2021) for Entrepreneur, gives us an overview of which technologies are challenging traditional learning models to change. The author discusses the impacts of innovations like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and virtual reality. Algorithms let educators and institutions gain insight about students by analyzing large sets of data. Moser highlights how artificial intelligence is being used to predict learning needs and customize training plans. He also explores the ways virtual reality is being used to create interactive learning experiences that increase engagement.

I recommend this article to those seeking a comprehensive overview of the ways that current technology is impacting e-learning. It provides insight on current technologies being used to identify topics that students need help with, and personalize the learning experience (Moser, 2021). However, the analysis did not mention the issues that this technology may pose in its wide-spread adoption. There is still much to be learned about the implications of storing large amounts of data and how to create algorithms that are unbiased. The reader should consider these issues with a critical lens and continue to learn about the technology.

Reference

Moser, S. (2021, January 10). How modern technology is reshaping the e-learning industry. Entrepreneur. https://www.entrepreneur.com/science-technology/how-modern-technology-is-reshaping-the-e-learning-industry/361812

Links to an external site.