One of the students in our class referred to me as “TurboMan” since I tend to add work at all hours of the day and night…  OK, I guess I will embrace it…

As can be seen by the page list, there are module numbers that correspond to the modules in class.  Each week, the module post will be located in the appropriate module page.  I appreciate your understanding!  Enjoy the posts.

And so it begins….  Fall semester begins for me this evening….  HRD585 with Dr. H.  Looking forward to this semester…  Hope all of the other students do well, too.

OK… yes the header is somewhat self serving but I wanted it to look different than others.  I will be scared if my face shows up on another blog page…  Pretty pumped about this class.  Look forward to “seeing” everyone later this week.

I am glad I am here and I am also glad that you have chosen to visit my page.  I hope the things I share are not drivel and hope you interact with me, as much as I hope to interact with you!

eLearning is a very powerful word in the last decade. eLearning, as its name implies, is learning via an electronic medium. I drill down father and say that the electronic medium that we assume is being used is some form of computerized technology, whether it be an iPad, laptop, or other form of technology that can help facilitate interactive learning on some form. Other technologies, such as e-readers and less sophisticated electronic devices serve as more as the modern equivalent of a textbook. The definitive line, in my mind, is the interactivity. Management of eLearning is something significantly different. This is what learning designers and the like do to not only ensure the learning is available via interactive technology but is also appropriate and uses pedagogy to direct the learning. Currently, Khan Academy is a form of eLearning but many criticisms of this learning system lacks formal educational training and background and pedagogy. To use Khan Academy in its richest form requires a trained educator who can use Khan Academy as a tool in a large curriculum.

As a training admin for Caterpillar, I have discovered that regardless of what WE think is the right approach to learning, without active feedback to make the LMS meet students where they are, the learning system will likely meet s difficult challenges in terms of student engagement or may fail to engage the learner all together. As an educator, we need to reach the students in a way that not only allows the student to learn but also in a challenging way that drives a motivation for learning and further engagement. This is usually an area where some eLearning fails.