November 21st, 2008 by Robin Green
A recent Writers Gateway article describes how creators can develop their courseware systems like a video or computer game. Sound crazy? It may be more feasible and simpler than you imagine. Every game follows a similar pattern that can be emulated in your courseware system.
All games have a goal and steps to reach it. The player’s challenge is to solve a series of problems and complete the steps quickly and efficiently.
Students who are asked to conquer levels and solve problems in a game-like format will be more engaged and interested in the course. But how does one actually go about creating a courseware system based on a game model? Start by telling a story.
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November 21st, 2008 by Robin Green
Why not design your courseware system with an appeal to the ever-expanding gamer demographic? Interactive courseware systems have the power to attract a wide audience. According to a survey by Pew Internet & American Life Project, 97% of all teenagers age 12 to 17 play video games of some sort, whether it’s on a console, a computer, or a cell phone. And recent AOL Games and the Association Press poll data suggests that 38% of adults play computer or video games in some capacity.
But unless gamers are heavily addicted, adult gaming shouldn’t be seen as a childish waste of time. The generation of men and women in their 30′s grew up in the video game boom, and since then the industry has evolved with them. Grown adults aren’t playing Pong anymore on their Ataris.
Today’s games are much more sophisticated, involved, and require thought, strategy, and decision making. They’re more like interactive movies than just games. I think courseware system developers might stand to learn something from the gaming industry.
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November 20th, 2008 by Robin Green
The obstacles schools face in integrating Web 2.0 technologies into their existing LMSs or courseware systems are often tough to overcome. However, if your school does have the means and you’ve got some ideas you want to explore, using blogs, discussion boards, wikis, podcasts, etc, the vast terrain of Web 2.0 is your playground. And although intrusive ads may bother some educators and courseware system students, it’s comforting to know that some Web 2.0 companies are making efforts to choose advertising that doesn’t dazzle and distract.
When incorporating your courseware system with Web 2.0 technologies, choose technologies that respect their users. Of course, most social networking companies still fill their pages with enormous ads. On MySpace’s login page, for instance, it’s difficult to even find the login box amidst a sea of hypnotically dancing images. But companies like Facebook and Google–whose choices often inspire smaller companies–are sticking with tiny ads.
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November 19th, 2008 by Robin Green
One fallback of pairing Web 2.0 technologies with a courseware system is the bombardment of ads that students will experience. Using LMSs and courseware systems, the information students are exposed to can be limited to the relevant course content.
It’s true that the advertisement industry is beginning to have a difficult time of it online. An increasing number of consumers are adopting multipurpose tools to help them manage and customize online data. This new mindset of personalization is making it harder for advertisers to lure viewers to other websites. In fact, according to BusinessWeek, many users are starting to ignore online ads altogether, a phenomenon known as “banner-ad blindness.”
Still, the advertisement industry is among the heftiest in existence. Ads will invariably find new and more intrusive ways to appeal to consumers. Prohibiting access to the internet and Web 2.0 technologies isn’t the solution. But educating courseware system students to recognize ads with misleading or harmful messages is crucial.
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Coggno.com is a leading provider of high-quality online training.
November 18th, 2008 by Robin Green
Are you collecting ideas and information to create your own online courseware system? One exciting group to consider is the expanding homeschooler demographic. Home educators often use courseware systems to complement lessons, activities and assignments. Home educators understand that one important part of a child’s education is the development of ICT skills. Online courseware systems are a convenient and easy way to improve students’ ICT skills and familiarize them with different technology.
Coggno‘s free courseware system syndicator allows you to upload your course content and publicize it on Coggno’s marketplace. Coggno equips you with all the tools–including easy-to-use text editor, assessment , quiz and video tools–to create a unique and completely customized courseware design. You have total control over both the creation and the maintenance of your courseware system.
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November 18th, 2008 by Robin Green
Whether or not to homeschool your child, using courseware systems or otherwise, is an enormous decision. Beverly Hernandez, a veteran homeschool parent who has taught her children from preschool to high school, offers some points to chew over.
Homeschooling is a very time-consuming enterprise. It’s much more, Hernandez points out, than just sitting down with books for a couple of hours a day, or helping your child with his or her courseware system learning material. You’ll be designing projects and performing experiments, preparing lessons, grading papers, taking field trips and park days, teaching music lessons, and more. A courseware system can certainly enhance your child’s learning experience, but ultimately it will be a relatively small part of his or her day.
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November 17th, 2008 by Robin Green
A wealth of resources are available for homeschoolers and home educators, including accreditation programs, which vary from state to state. Courseware systems and collaborative software allow students to get involved in online group activities, while sites like Homeschool.com offer courseware systems for children grades K-8.
Many states offer accrediting systems such as the Pennsylvania Homeschoolers Accreditation Agency, which provides legitimate diplomas to homeschoolers. It also encourages homeschoolers to continue through high school, and helps them get scholarships to college. It’s one of several Pennsylvania organizations recognized by the PA Department of Education that provides diplomas and offers a recognized alternative to the GED and the correspondence school diploma. The agency also provides Advanced Placement (AP) courseware systems to prepare students to take AP tests.
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November 17th, 2008 by Robin Green
Did you ever have a penpal when you were little? If you’re an educator using a courseware system or other internet-based learning tools, you might consider starting an internet-based penpal project for your students. Penpal relationships can be an incredible learning device for students of all ages.
In Europe, along with the use of courseware systems in the classroom, more and more students are involved in something called “eTwinning.” ETwinning is a project that was created to enhance students’ ICT skills and to encourage European schools to collaborate using ICT.
In the eTwinning system, a school is paired with another school from a different European country. The two “twin” schools communicate using email and video conferencing to share information and learn from each other. Pairing courseware system learning with international collaboration projects like eTwinning encourages the cross-cultural exchange of knowledge, improves students’ communication skills and fosters intercultural awareness.
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