Scenario 1: Collaborative Training Environment
A new automated staff information system was recently purchased by a major corporation and needs to be implemented in six regional offices. Unfortunately, the staff is located throughout all the different offices and cannot meet at the same time or in the same location. As an instructional designer for the corporation, you have been charged with implementing a training workshop for these offices. As part of the training, you were advised how imperative it is that the staff members share information, in the form of screen captures and documents, and participate in ongoing collaboration.
What resources will
help?
After
looking at the scenario presented above and its challenges, I believe that
there are two different solutions: Wikis and Google Drive and Hangout. These
two distance-learning technologies would greatly benefit the corporation not
only in this instance but in future endeavors as well.
Let’s first
look at Wikis. According to Simonson et al (2012, p. 129) “a wiki can be an
excellent tool for collaborative online writing assignments and group
activities compiling information in a single online resource.” The corporation
in the above scenario could build a wiki, for example on Wikispaces.com, and
have people from all six of their regional offices collaborate with each other
on different issues. Wikispaces allows contributors to upload information in
the form of documents and various media such as podcasts and screencasts. An
instructional designer would need to set up the wiki so it make sense and is
easily navigated. Also in the training
sessions, the wiki could be used to share information or provide the training
materials that employees can access at a later date if needed.
Google Drive and Hangouts are
other ways for all employees to connect and collaborate throughout training and
after. Google Plus will allow employees to upload and share documents and
media. It also allows employees to Video Chat with multiple others at the same
time through Google Hangout. This would be beneficial to train employees to use
during training so the Instructional Designer can train those at different
offices who can meet at the same time
but not necessarily in the same place.
Folders can be set up within Google Drive to help organize materials as
well. Through Google Plus, employees of the corporation would have access to four
of the five technologies presented in “The Technology of Distance Education”
presentation. These technologies are Podcasting, Discussion Technologies,
Concept Maps, and Media Sharing Sites. Google Plus has Discussion Technologies
and Media Sharing built in. Podcasts can be uploaded and shared along with
Concept Maps.
The corporation can easily get around its geographical and
time limitations by using these select distance learning technologies. An
instructional designer is able to help them set up and organize both Wikis and
Google Plus.
References:
Google Docs in Plain English.
(2007, September 10). Retrieved November 14, 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRqUE6IHTEA
Google Hangouts for Document
Collaboration (2013, April 26). Retrieved November 14, 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBmiBVo6qM4
Laureate Education (Producer). (2010). Technology
of distance learning [Presentation file]. Retrieved from
https://class.waldenu.edu
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., &
Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of
distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.
Wikis in Plain English. (2007,
May 29). Retrieved November 14, 2014, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY
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