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Consistency in online efforts
By Ralph Hall | April 29, 2008
This blog has reinforced to me a key concept in online training and learning efforts: consistency matters. If I want a blog to be successful I need to keep it fresh and new. Even for recorded, self-paced, stand-alone content, the site that serves it needs to be cobweb-free - it needs to look like someone is watching and caring for it.
The concept of evaluation has also come to mind. I may share powerful ideas on a given topic, but how do I know that there is a need for those ideas in the space where I am sharing? How can I tell if the information has addressed a need or improved any situation?
A great book that includes a discussion on evaluation, and really on the entire process and on the associated issues of moving online, is Delivering Digitally: Managing the Transition to the Knowledge Media, by Alistair Inglis, Peter Ling, and Vera Joosten, 2nd Edition. The book is thorough on a full scope of issues surrounding a programmatic move to an online educational format. Chapter 10, for example, has a great discussion on developing an evaluation strategy.
Parenthetically, I find it interesting that a significant percentage of support material for creating online learning is not delivered online.
Other posts on similar topics- SW Washington GIG Distance Education Discussion
- Measurement Job Aid
- Hangin’ Ten and Sharing Waves
- How I use Google Reader
- Insights Abound at the Transitions SIG Meeting
Topics: SW Washington GIG |
April 30th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
I have been invited to a lot of online forums lately where organizers plan to use the space to either kick off the learning or continue it around an event. The energy seems to be spent preparing the space, rather than tending it.
I will go check it out, maybe multiple times. However if I don’t see things happening, and active engagement happening at least a couple times a week, I don’t get involved. There are just too many options in the online space.
So a plan for nurturing over time seems to be a requirement for success.
May 26th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Christine, your point is spot on. I understand the point, and as you can see from the lag between your April 30 post and this response, knowledge and practice are different. The options in the online space really are vast - and working to create and maintain a blog or wiki of any sort is another option.
As with any choice, the choice to maintain one precludes other activities - whether online or perhaps time spent communicating with your family or friends. Speaking of which, this will do for now! :o)