Blog Posts

Strategies for Retention in Online Courses

6/11/2013

by Dr. Joel Gardner, EdTech Dojo co-curator

One of the major issues that educators are facing is the retention of students, particularly in online courses. I have worked to address this issue in my own work in higher education, and I recently came across a review of the literature that summarizes key research findings in this important area. The review was conducted by Kevin Shanley, an employee at Utah State University. Through his research, he identified 10 strategies for retaining students in online courses. I discussed these strategies in a recent blog post and also linked to his original publication. I thought it would be worth sharing the blog post here.

http://joelleegardner.blogspot.com/2012/07/retention-of-students-in-online-courses.html

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Using PDFs to Create a Course Syllabus

10/26/2012

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by Dr. Joel Gardner, EdTech Dojo co-curoator

In a past podcast on the Dojo, we featured George Joeckel, an Instructional Designer at Utah State University. He has recently created a new version of his tool the PDF Course Guide Builder. This tool is designed to enable course instructors and instructional designers to create syllabi easily and in alignment with quality instructional standards. The link below introduces the tool and provides resources for using it effectively.

http://georgejoeckel.blogspot.com/2012/07/pdf-course-guide-builder-designed-for.html

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New Video Describing the Instructional Design Process

9/4/2012

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by Joel Gardner, EdTech Dojo co-curator

One of the most fundamental tools and instructional designer uses is a systematic approach to designing instruction. Previous videos shared on the Dojo have described the general phases of this process, which are encapsulated in the ADDIE Process. In this new video, we provide a basic overview of the general ADDIE Process and then describe a specific process called The Systematic Design of Instruction, commonly known as the Dick and Carey Model. Again, it is a basic overview, but it gives a good description of what the instructional design process is and how it is used by instructional designers. We hope it is helpful!

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Video: What is Instructional Design?

8/20/2012

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by Dr. Joel Gardner, EdTech Dojo co-curator

My experience has been that instructional designers are regularly asked, “What is instructional design?” A previous video attempted to answer this question by describing what an instructional designer does. As part of a series of introductory videos to be used in the MS Degree in Instructional Design and Performance Technology at Franklin University, I have created the video below to describe from another angle what instructional design is. I hope it is helpful!

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Quoth the Eagle - Episode Two

6/21/2012

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by J. Clark Gardner, EdTech Dojo co-curator

The second installment in my mini-documentary on my journey from Idaho Falls to Boston - starring me, my wife Lindsay, stunning scenery, and a ceramic eagle.

In this episode, we drive through the stunning scenery of Colorado, and I have a heart-to-heart conversation with Joel about the future of our austere ceramic trophy.

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Quoth the Eagle - Episode One

5/27/2012

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by J. Clark Gardner, EdTech Dojo co-curator

This is the first installment in my mini-documentary on my journey from Idaho Falls to Boston - starring me, my wife Lindsay, stunning scenery, and a ceramic eagle.

In this episode, I speak with a man who ran a museum named after George A. Freestone, who, as the world's oldest Eagle Scout, created the ceramic eagle we've been carrying across the country.

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Quoth the Eagle

5/17/2012

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by J. Clark Gardner, EdTech Dojo co-curator

Check out the trailer for "Quoth the Eagle" - a multi-episode mini-documentary chronicling my journey from Idaho Falls to Boston!

Check the EdTech Dojo blog for new episodes May 25 -30!

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First Principles of Instruction in Higher Education

5/16/2012

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by Dr. Joel Gardner, EdTech Dojo co-curator

What do the best teachers do? What are their most important strategies and characteristics? Recent researches identify 5 fundamental strategies for helping students learn, which my brother J. Clark and I spoke about in a recent podcast.

In a recent research study, I studied the teaching strategies and characteristics of award-winning instructors in higher education to see how they use Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction. The study confirmed that these principles are used by excellent teachers and provides some powerful examples of how flexible these principles are. You can read the article at the link below:

http://joelleegardner.blogspot.com/2011/10/article-how-award-winning-professors-in.html

What are your experiences with these principles? How do you make sure to apply them consistently and effectively?

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E-Learning vs Live Training

5/8/2012

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by Dr. Joel Gardner, EdTech Dojo co-curator

Instructional designers often face the decision to choose between creating e-learning or traditional training, and often there is a combination of both. I recently asked this question on an online discussion forum and summarized the responses in the following link.

http://joelleegardner.blogspot.com/2012/02/do-i-use-e-learning-or-live-training.html

What guidelines do you follow when making this decision?

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2012 ISPI Conference: Leading Innovation, Endless Possibilities

5/1/2012

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by Dr. Joel Gardner, EdTech Dojo co-curator

I recently attended ISPI’s 2012 International Performance Improvement Conference in Toronto, Canada. The conference focuses on the application of strategies for improving the performance of individuals, work processes, and organizations.

My research and educational background is in instructional technology and design, so I understood much of what was being taught. But it was a significant shift from a more design-focused level to an organizational level.

If you would like to read more, visit my blog posts about the key things I learned each day while at the conference.

I also gave a report on my experiences at the conference in a recent episode of our podcast.

This was one of the best conference I have ever attended - the topics were relevant, insightful, and practical, and by the end of the conference, I felt I had enough knowledge and skills to make a difference at my University.

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Strategies for Retention in Online Courses

Using PDFs to Create a Course Syllabus

New Video Describing the Instructional Design Process

Video: What is Instructional Design?

Quoth the Eagle - Episode Two

Quoth the Eagle - Episode One

Quoth the Eagle

First Principles of Instruction in Higher Education

E-Learning vs Live Training

2012 ISPI Conference: Leading Innovation, Endless Possibilities

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