A Toolbox of Resources
Cindy Miller
Course Development Manager
Cengage Learning
Who is that student in your course?
 Generation Y (also known as Millenials)
• born 1980-1995
 Children of Baby Boomers who indulged them,
gave them lots of attention
• display high level of self-confidence
 Have only known economic prosperity,
do not fear unemployment
eLearning Guild’s Learning Solutions e-Magazine September 2008
Who is that student in your course?
 They are self-reliant and very social
 They like to multi-task, and are always onto the
next thing
 In workplace, not afraid of challenging managers
(or instructors!)
 Think they can have it all and are not
embarrassed to ask for it
Who is that student in your course?
 Digital natives - grew up with the technology
• “Native speakers” of digital language of computers,
video games, and the Internet
 Connected 24/7 via a PC and/or mobile device
 Highly engaged user of a broad range of social
media tools on a frequent (daily) basis
What do they want/need?
 Prefer hyperlinked information coming from many
sources
 Highly visual learners, preferring to process
pictures, sounds, and video rather than text
 Simulations, games, and role playing allow them
to learn by “being there,” to enjoy themselves
and have fun
What do they want/need?
 Short attention spans, so prefer bitesized chunks
of content (either on a PC or iPod)
 Prefer to learn “just in time,” have access to
relevant information they can apply immediately
 Need immediate feedback, responsiveness, and
ideas from others, as they are used to instant
gratification
What do they want/need?
 Independent learners, able to teach themselves
with guidance
• just like they found out how to use their iPods or
Google
 One thing is clear:
“ Just because learning is made available online (as
e-Learning) doesn’t make the traditional “talk and
chalk” approach any more effective for them, and
linear PowerPoint presentations and courseware
simply bore them “
eLearning Guild’s Learning Solutions e-Magazine September 2008
So….how do we engage them?
What tools can we use?
Tool #1 – The Textbook
 Choose the right book
• Content matches course objectives
• Easy to read and yet rigorous
• Explain concepts and tools simply and
clearly
• Real-life examples make points vivid
- Allow reader greater understanding of
concepts and principles
Tool #1 – The Textbook
 Instructor’s Resources & Supplements
• Typically include:
- Sample syllabus
- Lesson plans
- Instructor’s manual
- Power Points
- Test bank
- DVDs (videos)
- Blackboard/WebCT cartridge
Tool #2 – Audio/Podcasts
 Power of audio podcasts
• Ability listeners have to time and place shift when
they enjoy podcasts
- Listen to podcast in their car, at the gym, or
while multi-tasking during some other activity
• Provide additional material for students to
download and review
http://www.wtvi.com/TEKS/05_06_articles/classroom-audio-podcasting.html
Tool #2 – Audio/Podcasts
 Podcast sources
• CourseCasts
• Groks Science Radio Show
Tool #3 – Video
 Students retain more information
 Understand concepts more rapidly
 More enthusiastic about what they are learning
 In the classroom or online
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/ntti/resources/video1.html
Tool #3 – Video
 Take students on virtual field trips
 Illustrate complex, abstract concepts through
animated, 3-D images
 Show skills that can't be done in class
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/ntti/resources/video1.html
Tool #3 – Video
 Reach variety of learning styles
• Visual learners, auditory learners
 Help students practice media literacy and critical
viewing skills
 Expertvillage.com
Tool #3 – Online Tutorials
 Research new technologies
 Create new project assignments
 The How-To-Geek
Tool #5 – Free Online Courses
 Supplemental lectures
 Introduce material not covered by text
 Find additional assignments
Tool #5 – Free Online Courses
MIT Open Courseware
Let’s Brainstorm!