WK5ProjGibbonsHdoc--Impact of Open Source

WK5AssignGibbonsHdoc.---The Impact of Open Source What are open source course management systems? They “are free educational software that are maintained by users who implement… to meet local, specific needs” (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, &Zvacek 2012). These systems allow members of the public who are interested in acquiring information or knowledge in a specific subject area, to enroll and participate in online/ distance learning courses. One such open source is www.alison.com. It offers many distance learning courses for small and large businesses among which is Behavior-Based-Safety. This course follows the “linear-designed instruction” model (Simonson et al 2012) which consists of the following four modules: • Module1---the basics • Module2---role as supervisor/team leader • Module3---understanding the team and its behavior • Module4---motivating the team The course does not appear to be carefully pre-planned and designed for a distance learning environment. First, the login session is timed out if used only one time for the day. In addition, even though “each topic has an instructional event…” (Simonson et al 2012) followed by an assessment, only module 1 was taught. In other words, when that module was completed and the assessment done, the results showed that the course was completed. There was “no control of the pace of learning…” , so that the instruction did not “complement …other responsibilities”(Simonson et al 2012), and modules 2,3, and 4 were non existent. Next, module 1 consisted of six objectives but they failed to “state the conditions under which the learning should occur, the performance expected of the learner, and the standard to which the performance will be matched” (Simonson et al 2012). Moreover, only the first objective “to identify influences on behavior” was aligned to the topic ‘what is behavior’. Then ,the media selected for presentation of course content, was power point. This made reading the information, the only course activity in addition to the assessment. Many graphics accompanied the text which made it visually appealing . However, the font of the text seemed to be 11 point, it was so small. Despite that situation, there were “a few lines of text per visual” and “plenty of “white space “ to enhance the readability” of the information. (Simonson et al 2012). Finally, the Alison open source system did not seem to recognize that interaction “is a central element in …distance education” (Simonson et al 2012).The course activity made no allowance for discussion, reflection or instructor feedback. It was like operating in a vacuum. Nevertheless, despite its limitations, Alison did provide some knowledge free of charge, and one must remember that “there is no one “right” way to conduct distance education” (Simonson et al 2012). References Simonson,M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of Distance Education (5th ed.) Pearson

WK3ProjGibbonsHdoc---Overview of Technology Tools