Conducting Internet Research

So, just the other day I was asked by my younger sister, currently in college, "What is the right way to conduct internet research?" You see, her first semester she had a writing composition class and had asked me to review her research paper, which I may add was extremely well written... a little too well written!

When I asked her where did she find all of this information, she answered, "the internet of course." I smirked and told her that this paper was not going to fly with her professor without resource documentation and citations, and we would have to start over from scratch. Needless to say, she was quite upset.

After helping her with her paper, I thought it would be a great idea to share the steps we walked through in properly conducting research on the internet:

1. Know your topic - you will need to define your topic and determine what you need to know, and how you plan to present it. This is a good time to brainstorm or mind map ideas that you wish to present in your paper, and create your thesis statement.
   
2. Plan your project - when applicable, develop a basic project timeline to determine what you need to accomplish at the different phases of the research project.
3. Develop questions - by knowing what types of questions you need answered, you could determine where you need to look and what resources (i.e. magazines, encyclopedias, search engines, field-specific databases, statistics, etc.) to use.
4. Identify keywords - identify keywords and phrases to research. Using different approaches can help return better results--approaches like search mechanisms (and/or/not), synonyms, author names, alternate spellings, etc.
5. More is better - never will you find the answers to all of your questions from one source. It is best to combine content, facts and/or opinions from different resources. 
6. Organize - organize your research findings to plan where it will go within your paper. Keeping in mind what you have determined to be key points (see step 1) and the evidence you now have to support these ideas.
   
7. Citations, Citations - document all resources accurately and build a bibliography list to incorporate into your research paper. Remember to use appropriate citation styles when building your list or citing in your paper, i.e. MLA, APA, etc. and one entry per finding.
8. Reevaluate and rework - revisit your thesis statement and determine if you have enough supporting evidence for your argument or ideas. If you find gaps in your research or determine there are still not enough findings, you will need to go back and complete additional research.
9. Write - given that the above steps were completed thoroughly, you can utilize your mind map and outlines to finally write your paper. Remember to keep in mind your thesis statement and the argument/ideas needed to be mentioned.

AG09 - 706: Rejuvenique Facial Masks and Myroton Beams – What we can learn from infomercials

Presented by: Allison Rossett, Department of Educational Technology, San Diego State University.

If this does not creep you out, I don't know what will! It's only a full 9-volts of electric currents injected into your facial muscles!

“Women are going to love you for this... They've been looking for that Fountain of Youth in a jar and it's actually going to come in a mask.” - Linda Evans, Rejuvenique Infomercial Host

So, what can we actually learn from infomercials? Well let's see, maybe not to believe everything we see or hear! In this session we were able to take a look at:

1. Our own susceptibility to infomercials
2. How infomercials move us - how powerful are their overarching objectives
3. Ways we can use infomercial strategies to strengthen our own eLearning efforts

As we got deeper into the discussion, I noticed the already packed room quickly began to become cluttered with more folks just like me taking an interest in what Allison had to say. Her traveling voice, wittiness and humorous public speaking tactics were working.

With finally admitting that infomercials DO capture our attention and make us desire their products enough to call the 800 number to purchase, we were slammed with the reasoning behind this sudden urge--strategy!

There are Seven Principles/Strategies that drive the success of infomercials:

1. Infomercials target our problems.
2. Infomercials promise a simple, accessible solution, something that is very much within our grasp.
3. Infomercials tell a story about a problem and solution to the problem.
4. Infomercials present a magical transformation from problem to desired state.
5. Infomercials make the case that they solve problems at a bargain rate.
6. Infomercials rely on rock solid data, research and authorities, or someone's view of rock solid.
7. Infomercials improve through measurement.

The "wow-est" thing we can do is address supression needs to build substance.

This session might actually be my most favorite session I'd attended at the AG this year.

Contributing Source: Ridiculous Infomercial Review

AG09 - 613: Mobilizing Content to Cellphones & Smartphones

Presented by: Robert Gadd, President and Co-Founder of OnPoint Digital, Inc.

It was definitely a change of atmosphere as I walked into Robert Gadd's session because of the music he had playing; I know I've heard that song before, but for the life of me I just can't pinpoint the title or artist at this time. 'Anywho' I had a warm welcoming feeling as I grabbed the handouts and took a seat.

The session opened with the following question:

• Has your organization deployed a mobile learning program to date?

Easy answer to that question = No! We have not yet deployed any mlearning or mobile training programs to date, but I can say that we are currently looking to begin down that route.

It was great to listen to Robert speak about what solutions his company, OnPoint Digital, had to offer for both eLearning and mLearning. In this session we discussed:

• Traditional mLearning creation and deployment models, and their ease of usage
  
• What platforms and content deployment model tools are available
• How to secure content on mobile devices
  
• Case studies of proven approaches and the results achieved for companies

Most of the presentation discussed the benefits of using OnPoint's CellCast solution and really turned out to be more of a technical conversation. Don't get me wrong it WAS very interesting to hear how the mobile content management system worked, but the more technical the conversation became the more I felt confused.

I feel as though I should go back and take a look at Robert's slides from the presentation again. Once I do, I will update this post with any newer understandings I may come across. You can find the presentation slides here.

AG09 - 502: Creating Curricula for Multiple Delivery Methods – Tools, Tips, and Tricks

Presented by: Rebecca Jimenez, CUNA Mutual Group.

So this session is about the Tools, Tips and Tricks utilized by instructional designers... but not every instructional designer. Rebecca first completed an audience analysis because this session was more only towards novice instructional designers, and those ISDer’s who manage other beginning instructional designers. Fortunate enough, I fit into this audience so I decided to stay.

Some of the multiple delivery methods or platforms that were discussed throughout Rebecca's presentation were:

• Online
• Synchronous
• Web
• Virtual
• Research Centers
• Job Aids

Throughout the session there were many great tips for designer's presented from Rebecca that I would like to share:

Tip #1: DON’T get caught up in the end solution. DO focus on the assessment.

• If you don’t know what you will be accessing, you can not get there.
  
  
• Tools to use – Questionnaires, Performance Data, Task Analysis, Observations, etc.
• Assessment Tools - GAP Analysis (Needs Analysis) and Real World Scenarios (Observations).

Some assessment questions:

• What does future state look like?
• What does current state look like? (Ask future before current because it is usually difficult to view current; it is best to work backwards.)
• What does the learner need to DO that they don’t DO now? (Tasks)
  
• What situations will the learner DO this in? (Scenarios)
• What is currently available to aid the learner in DOING this? (Tools)

Tip #2: DON’T assume you know how a solution will fit the business need, or that your client does. DO tie the solution to the business need

• Define the business need.<!--[if !supportLists]-->The “audience” are making too many mistakes “doing what activity”, which results in “business impact”. When “audience” performs to “level and measurement”, this results in “business impact”.
  
  

Tip #3: DON’T focus on the development. DO focus on the design.

• What's the difference? Designer is the architect (writer), creates the blueprint based on assessment, theories, etc. Developer is the constructor (illustrator), builds the building from the blueprint.
• Why is it important? Because it is very difficult to do both at the same time.

Other useful tips:

• Tell a story
• offer most EFFECTIVE solution
  

"Your SME's are not SME's on development, they are SME's on content." - Rebecca Jimenez

AG09 - 409: Blending Web 2.0 Technologies with Traditional Formal Learning

Presented by Thomas Stone, Product Design Architect, Manager of Instructional Design and Thought Leader @ Element K.

Emerging technologies? What are they? How can they be applied to traditional learning? Well... that is exactly what Thomas Stone presented. In this session, we were able to:

• Learn the definitions and benefits of emerging technologies, such as Web 2.0 tools--i.e. wikis, blogs, etc.
• Discuss how emerging technologies can be applied to traditional formal learning--also discussed which technologies to not use with formal learning solutions
  
• Differentiate among adult learning methods

Thomas Stone opened his session with the following quote:

"Asking what people are going to build with Web 2.0 is like asking what people are going to write on paper." - David Weinberger, Co-Author of 'The Cluetrain Manifesto' via Twitter, re-tweeted by Tim O'Reilly, January 24, 2009.

Key adult learning methods:

• Formal learning--learns from a set curriculum or event
  
• Informal learning--learns through collaboration, conversations, emails, etc.
  
• Performance support--provided at the time of need within work and targets a specific task
  

What are Web 2.0 (emerging) technologies - think of experts and expertise:

• Discussion forums - Ask an Expert
  
• Blogs - The Expert Writes
  
• Podcasting - The Expert Speaks
  
• Social networking - Locate an Expert
  
• Social bookmarking - Experts Share Their Favorite Bookmarks
  
• Wikis - Experts Share/Collaborate
  

Some supporting technologies for Web 2.0 technologies:

• RSS feeds
• Tagging
• Ratings
• Twitter
• Mashups

Emerging Technologies CAN be used for:

• Knowledge based training
• Informal learning
• Application productivity
  

Emerging technologies should NOT be used for:

• Compliance training
• Environment training
• Health or safety training

What I feel was the most beneficial part of this whole session, besides knowing different blending strategies for Web 2.0 technologies, is the fact that Thomas Stone is available for advice! I am almost certain I will look to him for some guidance in the near future!

AG09 - 202: The Current and Future Mobile Learning Landscape

Presented by: Judy Brown, mLearnopedia.

Before I begin with my notes on the section, I just want to point out that Judy did an absolutely wonderful job with her presentation slides! They were interesting, creative and easy on the eyes! Thank you! 8-)

Topics covered:

• What is mobile learning?
• What are the types of mobile learning today?
• What does the future look like?
• Where/how do we learn more?

What is mobile learning?

• Wikipedia definition: learning that happens across locations, or that takes advantage of learning opportunities offered by portable technologies.

Judy then discussed some details according to the 2009 Mobile Youth Report, which are:

• Youths spend $270 billion dollars a year on mobile plans of which, they are spending more on data plans and less on voice.
• Youths are classified as teens (12‐17), students (18‐22) and young adults (23‐
  27).

From eLearning to mLearning:

• Access: 24/7 for both
• Quality: Consistent vs. Progressive
• Metrics: Difficult vs. Formal/Informal
• Retention: Varied vs. High/Personalized

Types of Mobile Learning:

• Learning
• Productivity
• Collaboration
• Reference

Mobile Simulator:

• Live Opera Browser: http://www.opera.com/mini/demo/

AG09 - 106: Focus on Research: Current and Future e-Learning Trends

Submission/Notes Coming Soon!

AG09 - Keynote Speakers

This years AG keynote speakers included:

• Jeff Howe - Author, Crowdsourcing, and contributing editor and blogger at Wired Magazine

• Bill Tancer - Author, Click: What Millions Are Doing Online and Why It Matters to You as an e-Learning Professional, and General Manager, Hitwise

• Tod Maffin - Social media strategist, broadcaster, writer, blogger, and ’über-nerd, Tod Maffin, Inc.

Remainder of submission coming soon.

e-Learning Guild AG Recap - 2009

This years eLearning Guild Annual Gathering can be summed up in two words, "Extremely Knowledgeable." And I must say, I found it to be very interesting and beneficial.

Being a newer instructional designer within the eLearning industry I am constantly researching new technologies that can be incorporated into my courses and how to always stay 'current' within this field; and not having a lot of experience drives me to complete this type of research even further!

There were plenty of sessions that caught my eye, and I chose to partake in the sessions that most closely related to my profession. Although there was the constant 'brain-struggle' of which one I did want to attend out of a possible 2 or 3. I returned back to work with many new ideas that I look forward to implementing immediately, making it well worth the time and money invested!

Please look forward to my notes this week on the sessions I had attended this year.

Opening Statement: New to Blogger

Ok, so if you notice I have been a member of Blogger.com since November 2006, and not once have I had the courage to post. I know, many of you may be thinking one of two things:

1. She's never going to keep up with her blog, or
2. What could she possibly say that I would find interesting?

Well, if this is the case I may just have to turn a cheek and write anyway! 8-)

A lot has changed since 2006, and I feel that I am finally ready to commit to blogging. The things I've seen, learned or experienced since then have helped to change and mold who I am today, both as a young woman and a professional. Therefore, allowing me to share these experiences and my observations with you all!

I hope with time to come I am able to build a strong group of readers and followers who are willing to critique, offer advice or even make comments and discuss my postings or their own experiences.

With that said, I welcome myself!