Making it Work: Creating Customized Online Learning Environments Through Unique Integrations

Concurrent Session 4

Session Materials

Brief Abstract

The potential of online learning environments remains unrealized as the landscape of software and app integrations exists, a patchwork of proprietary and open-source platforms, unable to function holistically.  This discovery session will explore real-world integrations with the goal of leveraging collaboration as a means to customize learning environments.  

Presenters

Lead Presenter: Adam Hain, Western University of Health Sciences

Adam Hain began his career in documentary and commercial filmmaking, eventually bringing his production talents to education. Finding a creative and technical outlet in instructional design, he completed the Educational Multimedia Masters program at Cal Poly Pomona. He is currently at Western University of Health Sciences working directly with faculty to design highly interactive curriculum, blending instructional design theory, web development, and graphic and user interface design.

Tags

OLC Accelerate 2017 Innovations Tools and Technologies Adaptive learning Adult learners Augmented reality Badging Blended learning Collaborative learning Community of practice Content Emerging Flipped classrooms Innovative Instructional design Instructional technology Learning analytics Learning environments MLearning Technology Technology applications Tools Web 3.0

Extended Abstract

The full potential of online learning environments remains unrealized as the landscape of software and app integrations exists, a patchwork of proprietary and open-source platforms, unable to function holistically.  This discovery session will explore real-world integrations of various systems with the goal of leveraging collaboration as a means to create custom learning environments through these unique integrations.  

Educause has proposed the concept of the Next Generation Digital Learning Environment (NGDLE), as a possible future iteration of this landscape, integrating tasks of the traditional LMS and functionality of the myriad apps now and into the future.  The NGDLE is not an application, but an ecosystem enabling integration, personalization, analytics, collaboration and Accessibility/UDL.  While several groups have worked diligently toward its realization, the ideals of the NGDLE have not yet come to fruition.  However, we as individuals and institutions, may also adopt this conceptual framework in taking steps to create custom digital environments for our learners.

We, as a community, may share strategies and pitfalls in developing innovative functionalities now as the field and technologies develop, building a collective voice and advocating for the interoperability required to further the development of this ecosystem.  

The discovery session will briefly discuss this framework and proposed community of practice.  The session will next demonstrate several examples of digital learning platforms integrated both within and outside the bounds of the LMS.  Some of the platforms demoed will include WordPress, Qualtrics, Articulate Storyline, Poll Everywhere, Blackboard, Sharepoint and Google Classroom, combined in unique and interesting ways to utilize their variety of functionalities.