Hello from Angela

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 Hi all !

Thanks for visiting.  This blog is on hiatus. Be sure to subscribe so that you can receive news on the latest activity from this blog.

Please also feel free to visit my official website here: http://www.heathinformation.wordpress.com for updates on my latest projects.

Thanks always !

Angela

TUTORIAL: Embedding video into your Moodle discussions

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One of the ways to create engaging discussion forums is to embed video right into the discussion. A embedded video assignment requires students to interact by watching it and then responding to it. Luckily, embedding video is not too difficult! In Moodle, you can do this with just the quick copying and pasting of an HTML tag. I would suggest creating the video assignment as an activity in your instructor toolbox, copying the activity and then moving the copy of the activity up to the desired module.

Before embedding video into a discussion forum in Moodle, you will need to either create a video or find an existing one. Once you’ve found a video to use for your discussion forum, follow the step-by-step tutorial PDF I’ve created entitled, “Embedding video into your Moodle discussions”.  The basic steps of it are:

1. Create a Moodle discussion forum.
2. Find the video you want to use.
3. Create a brief introduction and questions for the video assignment.
4. Copy the HTML with the video’s link to your computer’s clipboard.
5. Open the HTML version of the Moodle discussion window.
6. Paste the HTML code for the video into the discussion window.
7. Save and continue editing the Moodle discussion.
8. Choose other options for the discussion forum.


Other Articles you may like:

Creating Engaging Discussion Forums (Part 1 of 2)
Creating Engaging Discussion Forums (Part 2 of 2)
8 Ways to Create Engaging Discussion Forums (Poster)
Finding Instructional Videos for Your Classes
How to Use YouTube's Search Filters

Microlearning Activities for Your Online Courses

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As I prepare for the coming Fall semester, I am reminded of a series of five articles I wrote on the subject of microlearning for this blog. The basics of microlearning are that it involves presenting smaller chunks of materials for your students to learn. Doing this makes the overall content more digestible for students. See my previous article http://www.trendingineducation.com/2015/08/micro-learning-basics.html. There are definite benefits to microlearning as opposed to cramming a great deal of information down students' throats.

One of the key benefits of microlearning in an online course is that you can present students with a multitude of materials related to a topic. The beauty of this approach is that students can pick and choose what they want to learn more about for the topic. Microlearning is a great way to present custom pathways to learning that empower students to control the way that they interact with your course materials.  Microlearning allows students to learn on their own and at their own pace. For instance, teachers often ask me how to present PowerPoint materials such as chapter summaries on their course websites.  This article http://www.trendingineducation.com/2015/09/creating-custom-learning-pathways-with.html shows you ways to present supplemental materials like PowerPoint in "learning nuggets" while promoting learning independence in your students by using microlearning in your courses. 

There are quick and easy strategies that you can employ to use microlearning in your current online courses. The nice thing is that it doesn't require a major overhaul but just a few tweaks. This article from my blog archives, http://www.trendingineducation.com/2015/08/easy-micro-learning-strategies-for.html details how you could convert your lectures, assignments, homeworks, instructional videos, and even your feedback to students into microlearning "nuggets".

By designing your online course with microlearning in mind, you can empower your students to take charge of their learning and move away from the "almighty" teacher model that often stresses out many teachers.  The goal is to facilitate learning, not cram it down students' throats. Provide enough learning nuggets each week about a topic or topics so that students can take whatever learning path is comfortable.  Also, don't forget to be multi-modal!!! So, if some students prefer to learn by text; provide the textbook chapters or articles to read. If other students prefer a presentation; provide the PowerPoint or multimedia. If students need to be shown something step-by-step; provide a quick screencast or video. Mix it up and try to provide several ways for students to learn the course materials. This article http://www.trendingineducation.com/2015/09/course-design-tips-for-micro-learning.htmlshows you how to chunk the information from your course into digestible topics for students. It also has ideas for presenting it "multi-modally" by using such as audio, video, presentations, etc.

Have a good semester!

INFOgraphic | Gamification

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What is Gamification?	Gamification enhances the student learning experience by incorporating gaming elements into instructional materials.
How is gamification different than game-based learning?	In gamification, you apply gaming mechanisms that encourage and stimulate students to learn. On the other hand, in game-based learning, students learn from playing games. Gamification essentially is about encouraging a behavior from your students while game-based learning is about presenting content in a game format.
Where is gamification used?	Gamification is used in any area that uses e-learning and training to teach. So, gamification can be used on any audience that is learning a concept. Common examples can be found in education, healthcare, IT training, sports, law, and government.
When should you use gamification?	It depends on the audience and the subject matter. Use gamification techniques to motivate, challenge and engage students. Also use gamification techniques to help students track their progress and to reward them for progress AND completion.
How can you easily use gamification?	Letter grades, points and kudos are the easiest form of gamification. Incorporating gamification involves creating any reward system that encourages students to do an action.

  

References

Davis, V. (2014). Gamification in Education. Edutopia. http://www.edutopia.org/blog/gamification-in-education-vicki-davis. Retrieved 20 October 2014. 

Gamification vs. Game-Based eLearning: Can You Tell the Difference? ELearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/gamification-vs-game-based-elearning-can-you-tell-the-difference. Retrieved 20 October 2015.

Isaacs, S. (2015). The Difference Between Gamification and Game-Based Learning. ASCD in Service. http://inservice.ascd.org/the-difference-between-gamification-and-game-based-learning/. Retrieved 20 October 2014

The Difference Between Gamification and Game-Based Learning. TeachThought. http://teachthought.com/learning/difference-gamification-game-based-learning/ Retrieved 20 October 2014.