Documentation:Learning Environment/Curriculum Development Team Feedback

Future Learning Environment Discussion Presentation for Instructional Designers and Curriculum Production teams was delivered by Tanya on May 20, 2015.

The topics covered were:
 * 1) Student Homepage
 * 2) Content Display
 * 3) Integrated Links
 * 4) Click on Graphics
 * 5) Student Success Tools
 * 6) Content Development
 * 7) Student Analytics

Feedback
1. Student Homepage


 * In the course homepage add the course start date
 * In the course homepage add the course end date to the end of the progress bar
 * Add a section to the homepage showing other students currently logged in
 * Add course guide/strategies for success
 * Add a schedule
 * Will the tools (such as discussions, chats, blogs) be found in the course homepage section?
 * This would be beneficial to students. See this feature existing outside of the LMS

2. Content Display

''Two visual aids were provided showing different ways to display content. The first option was a standard course with headings (modules) to click to expand and tools to the right. The second option was more web based with multiple boxes in differing sizes and functionality.''
 * Ensure preliminary information stays constant for all courses and then the modules can vary course by course
 * Need more appealing presentation than Blackboard. Option 2
 * Dynamic content display (Option 2)
 * Adding a reading feature into LMS such that the text on the page would be read out loud to the student by a robot (similar to what is available for PDFs). Reading comprehension increases when someone is read to.
 * Dynamic content display (Option 2)
 * Would like to move away from rigid format prescribed by LMS. Would like to move beyond limitations being imposed by LMS structure.  Design for less sophisticated set of users and the ability to configure multiple types of items per page
 * Option 2 strongly supported. Seamless integration of multiple tools with student not aware of backend structures.


 * How doe we build more open content/other spaces? OERs?

3. Integrated Links
 * This is already being done
 * Integrated links very important
 * page to page linking is a must (existing content). Must be easy to set up and able to be copied (relative link maintained as opposed to coded fixed links)

4. Graphic Navigation
 * Be careful with circle design. Most courses need Module 1 to come before Module 2 etc.  Scaffolding of knowledge and skills NB for good learning
 * Yes, graphic navigation good. More web based
 * Strongly support the ability to have a graphic landing experience for students. Generally a more web feel and should be seamless/feel integrated with other content (not box within a box)

5. Student Success Tools
 * Support a robust student community environment outside registered course area - ability to form groups, share materials, create sense of community
 * Activities and Assignments should flow in order as they appear in the course- more like current schedule Certain activities need to be completed before assignments done.  It is helpful to students to see integration (connections) of activities and assignments.
 * Community tools can be built into the course more explicitly
 * Not sure badge is helpful to all students-Simply say Congrats after each module completed. Some students may like badges or stars though
 * Important to have portfolios that students can take away with them- if locked down in CMS not useful
 * Create various levels of sharing- only class/TRU program/outside world
 * Ability for student to enter their own time for submission and calendar syncing to multiple devices
 * Community tools would be a nice option
 * Support progress bars and generic check list. Not sure if points/badges just add more noise to system (screen real estate, more graphic noise)
 * What do we do with the badges?
 * Study buddy?
 * A layer on top? How to integrate?

6. Content Development
 * Blueprint has to have space for extra ideas, questions, notes etc. Template can be to confining
 * Different access levels will be needed
 * Job aid needed- eg learning outcomes with exemplary sample (Gail has tip in her BP)
 * Blue print. List of activities important
 * Content authored with CMS- IF SME is capable this is okay but word files ok is SME has expertise in content but not technology
 * Editors will have to edit in CMS but IDs need to see what is changed and approved
 * Versioning is important
 * Word Features, comments highlighted, track changes format, paint insert table
 * Training for SMEs to work in this environment
 * Need Track changes/versioning/ templates, exemplars/ editing possibility
 * At times 4-5 revision or more happen we don't need all of them can we select the revisions to keep?
 * Managing relationships and communication with SMES ?
 * Eliminating O:/ file exchange would be beneficial, helpful and welcomed
 * Key requirements: If go with a new content management system:  Easily universally accessible- can be deployed both internally and externally (SME's)
 * Intuitive interface that makes use desirable
 * Must have versioning at individual file/record
 * Must have track changes features (Word Like)
 * Must have robust file structure that is easy to replicate
 * Ability to handle commenting without change

7. Student Analytics
 * Use of student café/Blogs/Chat/Calendar/TRU Email
 * Discussion board use
 * Videos- do they watch, how long, do they do follow up activity right afterwards
 * Do they like PPTE Voice, human faces, you tube, camtasia etc
 * Completion of activities linked to assignment completion overall success and student satisfaction,
 * How often students ask questions
 * How does goal for learning/motivation effect student satisfaction engagement, overall success and course completion
 * Ethics Framework?
 * Social network analysis (SNAPP tool)
 * Do students value/use the learning activities (scaffolded ..formative) use/clicks
 * The value of multi-media- particularly video (external -youtube/internal)
 * Value -survey
 * Links between completion of activities and assignment marks
 * Link between competition of activities and satisfaction
 * What engages or motivates learners to progress (aha moments, hook moments"
 * HIPS- can we provide these then link to outcomes/assessment
 * What information students access
 * What assignments are completed
 * What is the perceived value of material/assignments
 * OLFM- does assignment content match what has been asked?
 * OLFM assessment of quality of assignments
 * student- range of grades
 * Generally Support. Typically in systems used or looking at certain tracking must be set up at course build so would need to be incorporated in development cycle

8. General


 * Only use learning outcomes (not objectives)
 * Engagement can be learner to self (reflection)
 * Design needs to have smooth integration of all tools (not a lot of jumping around)
 * Design needs straightforward navigation
 * Design needs to open boundaries (ELGG "a walled garden with window" is this what we want/need?)
 * Authentic use of tools-blogs for blogs not journals(closed)wikis for wiki (open collaborative writing)