Google Reader .. a screencast

A little screencast I made for Google reader. I learned that zooming is important after this one.

Personalized Learning

According to a Brandon Hall report on Blended Learning:

"Design and development of blended learning requires a holistic approach involving modern pedagogy, learner needs and expectations, and technology.... A key design aspect of blended learning should be aimed at personalized learning with a human or virtual guide to direct and support the individual learner."

Citing research by Sharpe ("Success Factors for Blended Learning"), the following design factors were highlighted:

1. Analysis of successful and successful features of the course content (including learner feedback)



2. Undertaking the design as a team, ensuring staff members have the time to properly integrate face to face and online material



3. Designs that make explicit their underlying principles -- these could be established pedagogical principles, active learning, repetition and elaboration, prompt and frequent feedback, or course outcomes



4. Developing the course iteratively over a number of years



5. Help students develop conceptions of the learning process



6. Disseminate and communicate the results of evaluations.

So how does your blended course stack up? Comments please:)

CTL Blended Learning Blog

The CTL has attempted to use blogs to convey information about fellowships and to publicize activities . . . the blended learning blog was created to share information about blended learning. It was the first WordPress blog for us, we use Blogger mostly, but it turned out well.

View the blog here

What does a high quality online course look like?

An excellent site (from California State University) for assessing online learning. Check it out:

[taken from]

This site is designed to answer the question being asked: What does a high quality online course look like? It is our hope that instructors and instructional designers will use this site to learn more about the Rubric for Online Instruction, and be able to view examples of exemplary courses that instructors have done in implementing the different components of the rubric.