Really Simple Syndication Explanation

A while back, I learned that RSS is “Really Simple Syndication.” So here's a simple explanation.

RSS technology is how web page content is delivered to a computer (via an XML file format) when you subscribe to an RSS feed. You read the XML files in a program called an aggregator, which collects news from various websites.

Click to select an RSS reader. There are several choices: a Web-based client, an e-mail client, or a stand-alone application. I’ve chosen a Web-based reader because I work on multiple computers, have easy access to the Internet, and don’t want to crowd the inbox or other folders in my email.

Now when visiting an interesting blog or website, I’ll look for small icons on each page with the acronyms RSS, XML, or RDF and add them to the list of feeds the aggregator checks.

audio and video decisions

Adding audio and video to e-learning can be a great way to engage multiple learning channels. However, it takes some planning and preparation. You have to know your intended audience and the environment where they will access the e-learning. Then you have to decide which elements will enhance the learning rather than detract from it.

My current instructional design project targets mental health clinicians, who most likely will access the learning modules from computers in their private clinical offices or group meeting rooms in both in-patient and out-patient settings. I want to enhance the web-based content with some multimedia elements, but since some may have dial-up modems, I have to keep file sizes small.

Audio on a web-page can include narration voiceovers, non-speech sound effects, and music. For this particular audience, music and sound effects may be distracting and annoying, so I plan to use a few simple voice recordings. For instance, when a case vignette is presented, the learner will have a choice - to listen to an auditory version and/or read a text transcript. Adding controls for audio play, pause and stop and a slider for volume control will allow interaction with the learning content.

Video on a web-page typically sits in a very small window – 320 x 240 pixels is the recommended space. For optimal viewing, it’s important to use tight, close shots, keeping the background to a minimum. For this project, the best way to incorporate video may be to film a close-up of an expert giving a welcome message and an introduction to the program.

an LMS use case

I met with a vendor to hear about his company’s learning management system (LMS). I need a product that provides a way for me to organize and deliver e-learning modules. The system also has to have a collaborative learning space, communication features, and functions for tracking and reporting learner progress - enrollment, course participation, test scores, and completion. I may even want to design and insert surveys, polls and evaluation forms.

I was prepared with a Use Case – I described my needs and wants, as well as the requirements for the other LMS users – learners, administrators, project sponsor, and course facilitators. I described my role as Instructional Designer and Project Manager and my intention to create multimedia html files with Dreamweaver and Flash.

The vendor pushed the content creation feature of his software, citing the benefits of SCORM conformity. Macromedia is my development software of choice for now. I don’t want to create my content in proprietary software.

After reading through the advice on the E-learning
Discussion Board at ASTD, I’m going to put together a Design Toolbox with the right tools for my chosen solution (budget considerations notwithstanding). More research...

I’ve scheduled a demo of the LMS next week. When I asked how long the demo would take, the reply was “42 minutes." Good answer!

I’m opting for instant discussion space on the web. In fact I just started a new board in 20 seconds.

Quick Topic provides a free message board, and you can make it public or private. It doesn’t get any easier than this. I put the link on my website to create a guestbook.

Click here - you don't have to register or sign in.

This service is fully email-enabled – a forum that my task force group is used to. All I have to do is email the participants with the link and an invitation to join in.

Collaboration considerations

As an individual contributor in my workplace, I hardly get a chance to collaborate with others in person. But I do need to communicate with some widely dispersed subject matter experts on my project team, as well as my out-of-state project sponsor.

What are my options for creating a collaborative workspace for a distributed project team on a limited budget?

My team needs a way to communicate from decentralized locations, and a way to share, organize and edit files across multiple computers at the same time. This goal can be accomplish by using collaborative software to create a community workspace. Suitable groupware options include both open-source software and proprietary software.

Here’s what I learned about collaborative systems:

Groove.net markets its products to the public sector, offering both hosted and installation options. For $69 per user, the Virtual Office File Sharing edition provides basic tools for secure file sharing and discussions, and other features like a calendar, links and notepad. More robust versions include features to manage meetings and projects and to track data and processes. All document changes are stored locally on the users PC, and synchronized over the internet upon connection through a browser.

I looked briefly at IBM – there are two versions of Lotus Notes. One for instant messaging and one for collaboration. Like Groove, both products tout security features.

Next, I check out Intranets.com They offer a suite of integrated applications, with a special pricing plan for non-profit groups. For $49.95/mo for 10 members, you get 250 MB storage, a document manager, online calendar, scheduling, a task manager, database, discussion forums, and announcement features. Web and audio conferencing have extra fees.

Finally, I checked out the WikiWikiWeb – the official name of all things Wiki. A wiki is a collaborative hypertext environment with an emphasis on easy access to modifiable information. The advantage of this “open-editing” feature is that non-technical users can easily compose content. Otherwise, the wiki environment appears to need a ‘Wiki Master’ to organize it. I saw several public wiki communities that looked pretty barren. On the opposite end of the spectrum, enterprise users enable passwords and security features to create private intranets that serve as knowledge and communication management systems.

After all this research, I see the benefits of a collaborative system. Tomorrow, I’ll tell you what I decide to do about it.

a sound idea

In my WBT class last year, I reported on a new trend–using iPods in Education. Since then, podcasting is hot! Colleges and universities are jumping on this new delivery format for audio learning, because new students are tuned in to the technology. K-12 also seems to have developed some interesting lesson plans.

But do podcasts have a place in workplace learning solutions? Does it make sense to consider adding podcast content to blended training designs for adult learners?

Check this out…
“A survey of 8,000 American consumers by pollsters CLX has revealed that podcasting is most popular with those over 45, with 21 % of those questioned listening to podcasts. This compares to just 13 % of 15 to 24-year olds.”

You don’t need an iPod or a portable music player to listen to a podcast. Any digital audio player - whether it’s an iPod or MP3 player or computer with audio-playing software - can play a podcast. When you have an iPod or other portable MP3 player, you can synchronise or copy a podcast to your portable player, then walk around town and listen.

So, suppose I get a subject matter expert to record some words of wisdom, and then place the audio file inside a learning management system? This introduces another learning channel, but it’s not a podcast.

A podcast is distinguished by its subscription model, which uses special software to distribute audio files via an aggregator. The content is "pulled" by the user, as opposed to "pushed" via email. Podcasting, then, requires a series of published audio files that are “syndicated” into a regular delivery feed.

For a workplace learning application, there needs to be a compelling case for potential learners to subscribe to an audio podcast and automatically download the content feed. Sound instructional design is the answer!

It's been a while, but I've returned to the blogosphere.

Along the way, I have acquired new knowledge and skills for instructional design and web design.
I hope to demonstrate these competencies through my personal website, which is, and has been, in progress, though not yet published.

I have furled a number of interesting sites that I access frequently from my desktop.
New links are added as I explore the vast resources of the web.

In the meantime, I'm heading over to the wikipedia to check out some new terms - specifically, what's a 'sandbox' in relation to a simulation? How are these things similar to or different from a demo or a presentation?