Topic: Google Classroom

As a district, we have embraced G.A.F.E. a little bit more every year since 2012, when we created accounts for students and a few pilot teachers. However, as we transition to more and more digital content, what we lack is a comprehensive Learning Management System.  As Google Classroom is free, and as we already use G.A.F.E., it seems to make sense that we first begin with exploring the platform's capabilities. Creating a Rapid E-Learning course on Google Classroom makes sense for us as (1) any teacher can use it if they want to, (2) we have many teachers and students already using G.A.F.E., and (3) if we go with Google Classroom at a district level, we'll be ahead of the game and with much P.D. already behind us.  As always, excellent choice. I look forward to the final project and hope you will share the response from teachers when you implement.

Change in Plan: Platform Comparison

I'm considering changing direction a little bit.  Given what I've been learning the last couple weeks, I'd like to do a comparison on how PowerPoint, Google Presentations, and PowerPoint with Articulate can create a branched learning scenario. I'll create a sample project of each using the same content, a comparison table, and my reflections on the strengths and challenges of each platform.  The content will likely be Google Classroom, but I'm still wrapping my head around how to make the eLearning design more interactive, branched, and story-like (so I may go with something fun and entertaining like sexual harassment in the workplace).  Thoughts?

Observations on Articulate to Weebly: So I've been experimenting with how to upload Articulate courses without using Articulate Online ($!) or a FTP server, which Weebly doesn't support. I found a good tutorial to get me started here, and have realized a few things: 1. Embedded web objects like a YouTube Video do not work but videos you insert directly into Articulate do, and 2. Having your iframe resize automatically to fit the browser or screen is very difficult, requiring Javascript....so for now, I'll have to manually specify width and height. 3. To get your Articulate course from Google Drive into Weebly, you need to use an iframe and the URL you create using the steps outlined in the tutorial previously mentioned.  4. If you're going to use Google Drive and this method, the easiest way would be to install Google Drive and make your local (synced) Google Drive folder your saveto location...then you make changes, republish, and refresh your browser without having to reupload/share/link.

Here's a link to my demo site where I uploaded and published the first really basic Articulate course I've created using these steps.

Rapid E-Learning Reflection (on-going)

Training Mag Reflection (on-going)

Vignettes Training Reflection (on-going)

Misc. Reflections for Week 5 (on-going)

Presentation Materials for August 5th:

E-Learning Interactive Simulation Template

E-Learning Branched Navigation Template

Reflections on E-Learning Template Creations