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| Lettering by Alexandra Fillip (on Instagram @alextrieslettering) |
In the end, I switched to Google Slides because it provides an easier way to embed the presentation in the LMS I will be using. Once the presentation is embedded, any update or change I make in Google Slides is automatically updated in the LMS. Since I tend to continuously improve content, automatic updates of the files to avoid confusing versions of a presentation is a great feature. The same is true of the presentation posted below. It will be updated automatically if I make changes to it in Google Slides after posting this blog.
I also learned a few very useful tricks in just 24 hours of playing around. The resulting course preview (below) is not perfect because there are still a few things that don't work exactly the way I would like them to work, especially with regards to the navigation. By the time the course is launched I suspect further improvements will have been made.
Knowledge Management in Project Environments - A Course Preview
A few reflections based on this rapid development:
1. Testing before full development
Once the course concept has been finalized and it's time to develop the content that will actually be delivered, it's a good idea to test a small component. In this case, I tested an interactive course preview to know exactly what is going to be possible for me to develop on my own with existing tools BEFORE developing full presentations for the entire course. I could have developed a full set of interactive PowerPoint presentations with various features only to discover that all interactivity would be lost once uploaded to the LMS or that the students would need to download them to view them as I intended.
The test needs to cover the full development cycle, all the way from the development of the slides to their upload to the LMS to know exactly how the students are going to access and view the materials and how they are going to interact with the materials. Always test the student view in the LMS.
2. Adjust existing materials to target audience
While I already have 90% of the content in one form or another, the packaging for delivery purposes is not a matter of cut-and-paste. Each course I teach is very distinct in terms of audience, format and activities. Individual slides or graphics and pieces of text can be re-purposed, but adjustments are always needed. In the case of this course intended for project managers, I want to make sure that examples or explanations for key concepts are specifically relevant to the world of a project manager.
3. Make use of free available tools
I have been tempted to identify a good eLearning development software and purchase it to ensure I have access to the most professional tools. However, in my situation, teaching on different platforms, it won't help at all.
At UMUC I have to use the UMUC platform, at GMU I have to use Blackboard and I have found that I prefer to partner with institutions that have their own eLearning platform in place rather than be responsible for my own. It also forces me to learn to use a variety of tools, which is a long-term advantage. If I had to be completely on my own, I would probably use one tool, like Yammer, and keep it as simple as possible.
In the process of testing how I would upload this little interactive presentation to Blackboard, I also figured out what tools are available on Blackboard for video lectures (Kaltura). Therefore, for this particular course, I have solved 90% of the technical issues with this testing phase. I can now focus on developing my content based on what I know of the technical constraints and opportunities. In fact, identifying the tools available gave me new ideas.
4. Creative work is fun and rewarding, therefore I should plan on doing more of it! (that's the beauty of being your own boss)
There are things I will do in the evening even if I am tired and on weekends because they engage the brain in ways that energize me. In that sense, creative work is not "work". I knew that already 15 years ago when I launched my first course, but the tools available now to everyone allow for the development of much more engaging content and a great deal more creativity.
Fifteen years ago my course was the equivalent of an online textbook with tons of hyperlinks and a separate email discussion board to engage with the participants. Now, with the tools available, all it takes is a willingness to learn how to use those tools very quickly. Whatever problem I encountered in this rapid development effort, there was a blog or a YouTube video that helped me find a solution. This was a straightforward example of learning by doing and rapid problem solving.
5. Wider Application of Lessons (so far)
Everything I learned in the past 48 hours will be applied to improve the other classes I teach. I have already added video lectures to the UMUC class, but looking back they can be further improved with each session I teach. Similarly, the online component of the GMU class (assuming I teach it again next year) will also benefit from improvements. And now that I think of it, I could also dramatically improve my Skillshare class on Insight Mapping. Let's make it a goal for the second half of 2019.
That was fun! I have a feeling 2019 is going to be exceptionally fun.
Wishing everyone a happy holiday season and exceptional New Year!
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