Project Based Learning

Project based learning allows students to  work in teams and to experience and explore relevant, real-world problems, questions, issues and challenges; then create knowledge and make meaning which they share using presentations to demonstrate what they have learned, focused on the identified objectives. The teacher’s role is one of coach, facilitator, guide, adviser  or mentor; it is not one of directing and managing all student work.
In a  Multimedia learning environment,  Project based learning enhances social learning through collaborative action learning. On how to craft objectives and learning outcomes for an effective learning process, Reiser and Dempsey (2012) advise to ensure focus on the following: 

• what the teacher expects the student to know, understand and be able to do, 
• how the student will be engaged in the learning, and 
• what evidence the teacher will accept that the student has demonstrated mastery of the identified knowledge, skills and concepts noted.

To demonstrate this, I created a Multimedia learning environment to enhance social learning through collaborative action learning. I teach a foreign language, Kiswahili, which is aimed at enhancing language and cultural skills and to strengthen multiculturalism.This Google maps and concept mapping lesson will assist the students to take a virtual tour and communicate in Kiswahili as they build vocabulary around their host country and the activities they would normally be involved in on a real study abroad tour.
The students will in groups map out the following activities: Create concept map of our tour and activities and use Google Earth and Maps to locate and discuss Nairobi as a multicultural city. Kalamazoo will be our start point and Nairobi, Kenya will be our learning center, while Dar es Salaam, Tanzania will be our co host. 

See the map here 

https://mapsengine.google.com/map/u/0/viewer?mid=zm6E-CVHR5a0.kem2pp22weN8

and the whole lesson and concept map here http://fredahtech.pbworks.com/

Instructional Design Roles and Challenges

The aspects of a job that are considered most important are satisfaction, pay and environment. Job security is a major concern in the US and especially in these economic times.

On job security, recognition and appreciation, Professor Jack Dempsey as quoted by Reiser and Dempsey (2012) says that much of the work of a full professor in most universities goes unnoticed. My professional working environment could learn from the IDT environment  in areas of research and mentoring. Mentoring others helps both the mentee and the mentor. The mentor increases on job satisfaction, social and professional interactions and self development while the mentee learns the tricks of the trade and gains experience.

Very little literature is available on mentorship programs in the academic field. Most professors are busy publishing or researching to meet the requirements of the next level of promotion, they have little or no time for mentoring junior professors or graduate students.

One very relevant lesson for me is developing an area of expertise and in it using a variety of sources and skills in the production of instructional media. This aligned very well with what I have learnt in my IDT graduate classes.  Since technology is always changing, and learning demands are increasing, it is imperative to keep up with the innovations.

The other lesson was becoming active in professional organizations. This hit me squarely in the face. I have always viewed these organizations as places where they grow out of membership fee (some are quite steep) and not where I could actually take a leadership position, work and develop others as I develop myself. Lesson well learnt, thank you.

Free web-based software review

Office Suites

What I liked about Zoho is that it gives me a total package of free tools that I can use personally or expand the package for business use. Whether for personal use or for business the following tools are very user friendly:
Collaboration Applications such as chat, mail, discussion, meeting, and so on  make it easier for self managed teams to organize themselves around a project, organize their schedules and tasks, allow for easy team leading and coordinating, and an easy way to track and evaluate team goals more efficiently. 

The Business Applications such as survey, reports, books, recruit, Project Management, Invoicing, and Web conferencing and so on allow organizations and their teams to make effective decisions, report and give feedback fast, track customers and the quality of service and generally be effective.

The Productivity Applications include calendar, notebook, spreadsheets and many others that help employees stay focused, connected and on track.

Image Editing

Sumo paint is a free online image editor with its focus on illustration than editing by use of its simple to use tools such as uploading, commenting on, and rating images; creating and modifying images online.

I played around with this tool and found it easy to use and very powerful. The color resolutions are amazing. I have uploaded a “thing” I created using it just so you see how easy it is to use it and how much fun it was.

Jing and Screencast

This week I used Jing.com to create a lesson on how to use the APA formatted word document from Microsoft Office suite. I found it difficult to use because I have to afterwards log in to sreencast.com to retrieve the link for the class, unlike other publishers where you get the link on the same page.
The reason I choose a lesson on APA is because many of my students struggle to format an ordinary word document to conform to APA standards. Unfortunately the margins and spacing are not the same. This lesson will save my students time and frustration.
APA Formatting
According to APA Style guidelines, the document should be formatted with margins one inch top, bottom, left, and right; written using Times New Roman font in 12 point; double-spaced; aligned flush left; and paragraphs indented 5-7 spaces. Page numbering appears one inch from the right edge on the first line of each page, excluding the Figures page. Acquire a copy of the APA guidelines 6th edition book here apastyle.org/ for more details.
Watch the lesson here to learn more about the APA formatted word document.
APA_formatted_doc_lesson2_2013-08-02_1418_001

Kiswahili Study abroad Tour Plan: Concept Map

Hi class, I hope you are excited as I am about this tour to Nairobi. As we all are aware, we are leaving on the 9th of September at 8 a.m. What I would like you to do is, in your groups, create a mind map of the whole tour starting with the planning session all the way to the activities that we will be involved in or would like to be involved, places we will visit and others we would like to visit. Each group will expand the map of two other groups to ensure we cover all aspects of our tour. Below I have a sample of how I would like you to proceed. Group 1 will cover our travel documents, group 2 our ticketing issues and group 3 our various activities. If you think of something else incorporate it by using the blank box. Don't forget accommodation plans.
Find the mind mapping tools here:https://bubbl.us/

Figure 1: Sample Mind Map

Kiswahili Study Abroad Program tour

This is my sample of the Kiswahili Study Abroad Program tour map. For your group project, expand Nairobi town to include your host University and hotel  
 
Watch more on Nairobi's culture here

Critical Thinking Skills Podcast

Critical thinking skills enable students to be creative and innovative. If such skills are not fostered in the classroom, future leaders and employees will lack same skills in the workplace.


Listen to more details here on my PBworks site. You may be required to click the "Download" tab. 


http://fredahtech.pbworks.com/w/file/67813673/Audio%20Lesson-podcast%20Critical%20Thinking.wma

Or listen to it here at podomatic.com http://70242fredcriticalskills.podomatic.com/entry/2013-07-25T07_40_13-07_00