OTL 542 - Technology Guide for Distance and Digital Learning

Learning Guide: Facebook Describe the Tool- Facebook is a social media tool that allows users to create a personal profile with various details, add other users as friends, exchange messages and photos, join or ‘like” common interest user groups, and post messages to the boards of those groups (Callaghan & Fribbance, 2016). In addition, each user has a news feed with updates of posts from friends and liked pages. Although, Facebook is more commonly used for personal use (1.49 billion users), Facebook can be used as a collaboration tool for learning and development. Effective Instruction- Facebook has the potential to help learners obtain information from instructors by joining groups that correspond with courses. Instructors thus have the ability to post information within the groups, share content, and allows students to interact using a social media application. Additionally, Facebook is a good platform to have discussions and create active learning communities espec...

Learning Guide: Video Conferencing Describe the Tool - Video conferencing is a live visual connection between two or more people residing in different locations for communicating. Therefore, video conferencing is a solution to not being able to meet face-to-face. As a business purpose, video conferencing can provide meetings that are more effective to include training/instruction, improve communication, and reduce travel costs. According to Slovak (2007), one of the advantages to video conferencing compared to audio only communication (conference call) is the learner is able to view the people as if they are talking to them in person. Furthermore, they are able to view facial and non-verbal expressions. Effective Instruction - Instructors are able to provide training to individuals while seeing them in real time, evaluate engagement, and collaborate on variety of topics. In order to achieve high productivity, instructors should create an agenda that allows for streamlined an...

Learning Guide: Google Docs Describe the Tool - Google Docs is an excellent collaboration tool for Gmail users within an organization. Google Docs offers a suite of web based collaboration applications that allow for the creation/sharing of documents, spreadsheets, forms, drawings, and presentations (Wagner, 2010). This application, allows students/professionals to collaborate for data tracking, coursework, and create professional documents before implementing formally. In addition, Google Docs is free to use and is found in Google applications. Effective Instruction - Google Docs is a collaboration tool that allows many different individuals to view and edit the same document. Therefore, it streamlines student participation as it allows them to comment through the comments section and give instant feedback. Google Doc can help transform classrooms and work teams with immense efficiency and be accessible to anyone who has a computer. According to Spaeth & Black (2012), Go...

Learning Guide: Videos Describe the Tool – Videos for instructional purposes have evolved over the past few decades with the additional advancements of technology. Videos allow instructors to use technology that is different from blogs and podcasts because it allows the learner to focus using their visual and audio learning. In order for instructors to be effective, it is critical that they are able to use different approaches to engage their students by using visual aides to enhance learning, engagement, and stimulate learning. A video is an audio/visual aide that broadcasts visual images. Effective Instruction – Videos are tools that helps instructors to clarify, establish, and correlate understandings to support their material (Shabiralyani, Hasan, & Hamad, 2015). Learning is a complex process thus; many learners need to be stimulated using different forms of written, audio, and visual learning. Videos for instruction allow instructors to use videos to enhance lear...

Learning Guide: Blogs Describe the Tool – A blog is a special kind of website consisting of regular entries or posts arranged in reverse chronological order. Bloggers will write their entries about their topics to share with individuals with similar interests. Instructors use blogs to give students information about the course, assignments, discussions, lectures, and other useful information as a powerful way to engage students in the subject matter. According to Zandi, Thang & Krish (2014), blogs are an innovative technology that supports students learning and allows teachers to interact with students using online technology. Effective Instruction – Blogs allow students to share their own perspective and experiences while learning from other classmates. In order for instructors to use blogs effectively they must be willing to let students take ownership of their learning, encourage creativity, allow students to address their audience, and provide feedback to studen...

Learning Guide: Podcast Describe the Tool – A podcast is a series of audio or video recordings that can help students learn by downloading a digital file to a computer, tablet, or mobile phone. Podcasts were created so that individuals can share similar ideas, thoughts, theories, research, and instruction to people with similar interests. A podcast can be accessed at any time and allow students to be flexible in their learning through audio that has been previously recorded. According to Hope (2018), podcasts have been used in the classroom to deliver lessons, give students hand-on learning experience with technology, and provide additional material to students to download and review on their own time. Effective Instruction – Inclusion of audio podcasts as a teaching aid for students can serve as a useful supplement to make reviewing more convenient and enhance understanding and recall subject material (Kalludi, 2013). In addition, the versatility, intimacy, and ease of pr...

Online Instructional Video. Using Technology to Create Learning Opportunities for Business Partners References Colorado State University – Global Campus. (2016). Module 1- Introductions to learning technology. OTL 542- Learning Technologies (p.1). Greenwood Village, CO: Author. Job Accommodation Network (Askjan.org). Benefits and costs of accommodations. Retrieved from: https://askjan.org/topics/costs.cfm McClaflin, K. (2017). The advantages employers receive from hiring people with disabilities. Sacramento Business Journal. Retrieved from: https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2017/12/29/the-advantages-employers-receive-from-hiring.html

The hope for this blog is to create working relationships with those who are passionate about helping individuals with disabilities find and maintain meaningful employment in the community. Therefore, because employment specialists are scattered through the country, a blog is an excellent tool of sharing ideas to anyone who is interested in similar passions. A blog is also a great tool to maintain communication without having to travel. In addition, it is convenient for working individuals who are not able to meet in person or through video conferencing. Blogs give us an opportunity to write content that is unique to you and your practice (Azizinezhad & Hashemi, 2011). Therefore, a great rationale for blogs is that we are able to develop and share our own ideas with others in a written format that is accessible to everyone over the internet. The idea of this blog is to share ideas over the next six weeks. During this time, we will discuss technology for distance lear...