November 21st, 2008 by Learning Systems

An important game feature to include in your courseware system is the allowance for trial and error. If a student fails to successfully complete a level, he or she should be given another chance or multiple chances until it’s completed. If a student fails at the third level, allow him or her to start over at the third level. A student shouldn’t have to begin again at level one. 

Additionally, sure to include rewards, feedback, and motivation for your courseware system students. Most computer and video games have a system of points, lives, and boosters to provide the player with a sense of how they’re doing, as well as make them feel good if they’re performing well. Making it easy to score points or secure boosters or bonuses will encourage your courseware system learner to keep going, as well as make his or her learning experience more rewarding and fun.

November 21st, 2008 by Learning Systems

Some games give instructions in written text, while others provide a guided tutorial where you play the first level of the game, or an introductory level, with assistance. Just remember–the student’s likeliness of becoming instantly engaged, as well as the danger of becoming immediately discouraged, depends largely on the first few moments with your courseware system. 

Just as all video and computer games become gradually more challenging as they go, so should your courseware system. Begin the course with basic tasks, and work upward from there. This is another reason to keep the method with which your learners interact consistent throughout your courseware system–as levels become increasingly difficult, your learner won’t want to be hassled with learning new rules. 

November 13th, 2008 by Learning Systems

Do you travel a lot, for work or otherwise? If you spend any amount of time in hotels, surely you expect hotel internet access for work-related purposes like LMS access, and/or communication with loved ones. And depending on what kinds of gadgets you’re interested in, the technology services a hotel offers might be a deciding factor in which hotel you choose. 

New York Times contributor Susan Stellin reports that hotels are working harder than ever with technology companies to keep up with their gadget-dependent guests. Visitors often need wi-fi or public computers to access their email accounts, online courses and LMSs, or print boarding passes. 

But guests also may seek more than access to their LMSs or email. What other technology would you like to find in your hotel?

October 21st, 2008 by Learning Systems

“Know thyself,” advised the Ancient Greeks. But isn’t it strange how little we really know our own bodies? Unless you’re a medical student or professional, you probably don’t understand the majority of the processes that occur every moment in your body. I certainly don’t.

Health insurance and doctor visits are at sky-high rates. I like to imagine that in the future, the average person will be educated extensively in human biology, and will be able to find solutions to his or her own health problems.

Of course, for medical students, online courseware is meant to supplement real-life training. But if you’re someone who just wants to know what’s going on under your skin, you might consider picking up some of this online courseware. Inexpensive health and medical online courseware offered on sites like CollegeatHome.com includes dental hygiene, radiologic science, gerontology, pharmacy, nursing, and food and nutrition.