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FUTURE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT DESIGN IX564 Design of Learning Environments Connie S. Darr May 2, 2015 becomes a SaaS Cloud-based LCMS

Future Learning Environment for Distance Education

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FUTURE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT DESIGN

IX564 Design of Learning EnvironmentsConnie S. DarrMay 2, 2015

becomes a SaaS Cloud-based LCMS

What does the future of education look like and what LMS can best support it?

As we move forward it is best to look back in history. Simonson, Smaldino & Zvacek (2015) shared,

…commercialization of the Internet led to a radical change in the network’s architecture, as the National Science Foundation decided that the federal government should not continue to fund the backbone infrastructure…[we realized] the privatization of the Internet…internet service providers were established to serve virtually every community in the industrialized world (p. 109).

We live in a very complex, dynamic and global economy. Newton (2015) contests the reports of the unbundling of educational service providers stating,

There are…unprecedented reform pressures circling higher education, which means that technology has made education content more efficient to deliver at the exact moment when traditional delivery methods are becoming more and more expensive. From the outside, this looks like a perfect reform storm. (para. 9).

“…the traditional rules of cost and demand are inverted [in] the economics of higher education…—students and parents—shop for schools, not for professors…2012 UCLA annual survey of incoming college freshmen found that nearly two-thirds said "a very good academic reputation" was "very important" in their decision on which college to attend. (Newton, 2015, para. 13 -15). Just what would happen to this economic model if the United States government ceased to fund tuition?

Nonetheless, global educational reform is leveraging the use of technology and I am excited about the future of education’s learning environment.

Introduction

There are a multitude of initiatives in support of leveraging technology for education, bridging the digital divide and realizing what it means to collaborate globally in support of lifelong learning.

One example is the KnowledgeWorks Foundation (2015) and their initiative to support a global network of communities of practice. Collaborating, teaching and learning in an effort to realize “a culture of creation in which each of us has the opportunity – and the responsibility – to make our collective future…[as] educitizens…[and} resilient systems that respond to challenges by replenishing their vital resources and creating flexible, open, and adaptive infrastructures (p. 2).

Other Education of the Future initiatives include

the Advanced Distributed Learning projects that fall under the heading of Next Generation Learner. http://adlnet.gov/index.html

Imaginarium features “Transmedia Learning [as] the sustained experience that results in measurable behavior change. The behavior can be physical and overt, intellectual, attitudinal, or a combination of all.” (Raybourn, 2012, Slide 9).

Cognitive Adaptability supports their Personal Assistants for Learning project in “Understanding characteristics, design tenets, and assessment of highly motivational learning interventions such as games…” (Advanced Distributed Learning, n.d., para. 1).

More Human-like, transparent interfaces may be key to the future adoption of a Personal Assistant for Learning (PAL)…positioned as a virtual coach, mentor, or guide...(Advanced Distributed Learning, n.d., para. 1).

Other Education of the Future initiatives include

The eXact Learning Suite’s Interactive Realtime Multimedia Applications on Service Orientated Infrastructures (IRMOS) Project is a 36 month, 12.9 million Euro project awarded by the European Commission to a consortium of 13 leading European organizations [whose] aim [is] to design, develop and validate an SOI which will allow the adoption of interactive, real-time applications .

today’s Service Orientated Infrastructures (SOIs) lack real-time (RT)

capabilities

SOIs are not dynamically configurable and adaptable to RT [real time] requirements

Timing and interaction issues are not studied thoroughly and formally expressed in SOIs

Web services lack RT capabilities

Network awareness and control login [are] not integrated into the application services login

IRMOS aims to use grid and cloud computing to provide the computing resources to bring learners together in both the real and virtual worlds (eXact learning solutions S.r.l., 2015, para. 1-3)

eXact LEARNING LCMS SUPPORT TOOLS

eXact learning Packager [enables] consistent learning output demand

eXact learning Mobile, a mobile learning solution

Online Editor, an authoring tool…enables [SMEs] and novice users to work collaboratively with instructional designers, expert users…

Content Models, a template-based content production solution

Offline Player, an offline content distribution and tracking solution that provides access to existing learning content without…being connected to the Internet

DITA Editor, a DITA-authoring, management, and delivery environment solution

HarvestRoad Hive, a content storage engine and a digital repository for digital content (Bloomberg L.P., 2015, para. 1).

Minimum Hardware and Software User Requirements

Minimum Windows PC Requirements Software Requirements:

Windows XP, Vista or 7, Microsoft Office, Acrobat Reader, QuickTime Player, Adobe Flash Player.

Minimum Apple Macintosh Requirements Software Requirements:

Mac OS 10.5 or higher or Leopard, Microsoft Office, Acrobat Reader, QuickTime Player, and Adobe Flash Player.

Browser Requirements: internet connectionWeb Browser (Must have one of the following): Firefox3.5 or higher Safari4

Windows PC or Apple Macintosh: Java, JavaScript, and Cookies must be enabled in browsers.

Source: Des Moines Area Community College, 2014.  

Windows-Based Web/Application Server

2.0 GHz Xeon-class processor or higherMinimum 1.00GB hard-disk spaceMinimum 4.0 GB RAM

Web Authoring

2 GHz Pentium-class processor (or equivalent)2 GB RAM (minimum)100 MB free hard-drive space1024 X 768 resolution (or higher)256K Internet Connection (or higher)Sound card and speakers (if required by content

Source: Kenexa, 2013, p. 6-8.

LEARNER TOOLS

BUDGET

Categories of Costs Eliminated with a SaaS Cloud LMS

1. Cost of server hardware, storage devices, networking equipment, and their housing expense

2. Cost of database administration, OS upgrades, software license fees, etc.

3. Expense of an in-house IT staff or an IT consulting company

4. Cost of a database administrator to maintain your LMS

5. Cost of maintenance contracts for the hardware

6. Cost of integrating with your legacy and homegrown applications

7. Expense of customizing, adapting and branding your LMS

8. Cost of testing and piloting any new applications

9. Cost of training the system administrators and keeping their skills current

10. Expense of maintaining testing centers and dedicated testing and training devices

(ProProfs, 2015, para. 7).

Online and Blended Learning Operations Budget

• Choice of media and technology

• materials and equipment

• staffing costs

• course design and production expenses

• time management

• resource assignment

• formative evaluation

• quality control

(Hanover Research ‐ Academy Administration Practice, 2011, p. 36).

Investments may be required in the following areas

• special funding

• incentives

• special awards

• release time

• professional development

• technical help desks

(University of Central Florida, n.d., para. 1).

STAFFING

Source: Knowledge Works Foundation, 2015.

Knowledge Works Foundation, 2015.

Develops approaches & tools for evaluating & communicating learner performance [i.e.] performance-based assessments

Helps learners move across formal & informal, on-the-job, & community-based learning experiences

Helps remove barriers to innovation…Enables informal learning & lifelong learning opportunities

Builds and maps resource webs that strengthen regional learning ecosystems

Works across public, private, and community boundaries to cultivate diverse relationships and asset-sharing …to foster adaptable community learning systems that contribute to regional wealth

Uses social media and urban data dashboards to track, manage, and map diverse data streams from multiple agencies and institutions

Bring entrepreneurial activity to the learning system, [help] individual learning providers/networks incorporate incremental and disruptive innovations [to improve] learners’ experiences and performance outcomes

Organize [and coach] teams of learning agents, learners, researchers, designers, and entrepreneurs to test new ideas, concepts, and technologies using rapid prototyping and design processes

Works with learners, families, and educators to build and strengthen learners’ cognitive, emotional, and social capacities in support of learning

Uses simulations, biofeedback, mindfulness techniques, software-based games, and hands-on activities to help learners reduce stress and develop their “cognitive muscles”

Conducts formal learning fitness inventories at regular intervals to assess changes in learners’ cognitive readiness

Focuses on teaching learners of all kinds…how to detect – and mitigate the potential impacts of – stressors and distractions that get in the way of learning

Forms the backbone of the learning system by guiding kids in working through their learning experiences

Works within learners’ personal education plans by helping them frame questions and design learning strategies incollaboration with other learners who share similar interests

Helps learners connect with people, resources, and activities that can propel them along their chosen learning pathways

Models what it means to think like a practitioner of a discipline

Works directly and remotely with learners to help them curate their digital Learning Life Logs and use them for reflection on their learning journeys and in their personal development

Knowledge Works Foundation, 2015.

becomes a SaaS Cloud-based

CONCLUSION

The use of technology in support of education and the initiatives of the ADL and eXact Learning Solutions as well as others hold the promise of reinforcing the advantages of online learning and addressing its limitations. The internet, cloud and Web 2.0 technologies combined with evidence-based research, learning theories and best practices in support of learner-centric instruction for education, distributed and distance learning hold the promise of promoting lifelong learning, digital citizenship and collaboration that “can create transformative solutions for the future” (Knowledge Works Foundation, 2015, p. 5).

References

Advanced Distributed Learning. (n.d.). Next generation learner: Anthropology of personal assistants for learning. Retrieved from http://adlnet.gov/next-generation-learner/anthropology-of-pals.html

Advanced Distributed Learning. (n.d.). Next generation learner: Cognitive adaptability. Retrieved from http://adlnet.gov/next-generation-learner/cognitive-adaptability.html

Bloomberg L.P. (2015). Company overview of eXact learning solutions s.p.a. Retrieved from http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=42220460

Department of the Army Headquarters. (2013). THE ARMY DISTRIBUTED LEARNING (DL) GUIDE. Fort Eustis, VA: United States Army Training & Doctrine Command.

Des Moines Area Community College. (2014). Minimum hardware and software requirements. Retrieved from https://go.dmacc.edu/online/pages/minrequirements.aspx

European Commission. (n.d.) Intuitive, innovative, intelligent. intuitel. Retrieved from http://intuitel.de/about-intuitel/

eXact learning solutions S.r.l. (2015). IRMOS: Immersing learners in learning. Retrieved from http://www.exact-learning.com/resources/whitepapers/irmos-immersing-learners-in-learning/

eXact learning solutions S.r.l. (2015). eXact learning lcms. Retrieved from http://www.exact-learning.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/exact_LCMS_EN_rev2015.pdf

Hanover Research. (2011). Distance education models and best practices. Retrieved from http://www.imperial.edu/ivc/files/Distance_Education_Models_and_Best_Practices.pdf

IMS Global Learning Consortium, Inc. (2015) IMS global announces education community supported innovation challenge for learning apps, tools and platforms. Retrieved from http://www.imsglobal.org/pressreleases/pr131010.html

Kenexa. (2013). Kenexa learn, lcms evolution specification guide Q4 2013. Retrieved from http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg27042858&aid=1

Knowledge Works Foundation. (2015). Learning in 2025. Retrieved from http://knowledgeworks.org/learning-in-2025

Knowledge Works Foundation. (2015). Assessment designer. Retrieved from http://knowledgeworks.org/sites/default/files/110628-Learning%20Agent%20Dossier-AD-v4-110912-FINAL_0.pdf

Knowledge Works. (2015). Eduvator. http://knowledgeworks.org/sites/default/files/110628-Learning%20Agent%20Dossier-Eduvator-v4-110915-FINAL.pdf

Knowledge Works. (2015). Community intelligence cartographer. Retrieved from http://knowledgeworks.org/sites/default/files/110628-Learning%20Agent%20Dossier-CIC-v4-110915-FINAL.pdf

Knowledge Works. (2015). Learning fitness instructor. Retrieved from http://knowledgeworks.org/sites/default/files/110628-Learning%20Agent%20Dossier-LFI-v4-110915-FINAL_0.pdf

Knowledge Works. (2015). Learning journey mentor. Retrieved from http://knowledgeworks.org/sites/default/files/110628-Learning%20Agent%20Dossier-LJM-v4-110912-FINAL_0.pdf

Newton, D. (2015, January 27). Higher education is not a mixtape [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/01/higher-education-is-not-a-mixtape/384845/

References

Randall, B. Sweetin, J. & Steinbeiser, M.A. (2010). Learning management system feasibility study. Retrieved from https://oscmoodlereport.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/osc_feasibility_study_full_report.pdf

Roth, J. (2009).  How much moodle really costs… Social learning blog [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://interactyx.com/social-learning-blog/how-much-moodle-really-costs/

ProProfs (2015). 10 reasons why a saas lms is the most cost-effective choice. http://www.proprofs.com/c/lms/10-reasons-why-a-saas-lms-is-the-most-cost-effective-choice/

Raybourn, E. M. (2012). Introduction to transmedia for training and education. Webinar delivered 18 December, 2012. Retrieved from

http://www.adlnet.gov/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/RaybournTransmedia-Webinar-12-18-12-public.pdf

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., & Zvacek, S. (2015). Teaching & learning at a distance, Foundations of distance education (6th ed.). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing, Inc.

University of Central Florida. (n.d.). Institutional capacity and readiness. Retrieved from https://blended.online.ucf.edu/process/institutional-capacity-and-readiness/