December 16th, 2008 by Learning Systems

How would you like to create your own microscopic organism and develop into a complex, unique creature? Spore, a single-player game by Maxis, allows you to do just that. Spore has been called a “god game” by its creators and several journalists, and hailed by some educators as an innovative learning system. 

Spore allows a player to control the development of a species from its beginnings as a unicellular organism, through its development as an intelligent and social being, to its mastery of the planet and finally to its interstellar exploration, where it encounters alien species across the galaxy.

For many educators, it sounds like an ideal learning system for concepts like evolution, survival, city development, migration, trade, and biology. But for both kids and adults, it isn’t an overt learning system–it’s just fun to play.

October 7th, 2008 by Learning Systems

Will blogging applications replace the traditional newspaper column? Some argue that blogs are the democratization of world news learning content. More newspapers are hiring bloggers in an effort to diversify the perspectives expressed in their columns. But some people claim that blogs are too casual, written by ad hoc reporters who don’t need to adhere to the same ethical standards that paid reporters do. Blogs may contain misinformation and misguiding learning content. 

On the other hand, the sheer variety of opinions and insight blogs provide makes them an interesting source of learning content that many people have come to trust. And given the fact that “objective” news sources are elusive, many people would just as soon hear from a collection of openly opinionated voices, rather than one biased–albeit professional–voice.

October 1st, 2008 by Learning Systems

Many people have upped their internet use while decreasing their frequency to the library. But unlike the internet, public libraries are accessible to everyone. And for many people the feel of a real book in their hands is irreplaceable. Also, part of the beauty of lending libraries is that people are given access to learning content and creative works while adhering to authors’ intellectual property rights. 

So most works can’t be transferred online to offer what libraries provide to the public.

Nevertheless, using online library sites, there are plenty of public domain works and other public learning content to choose from. You can read classics like Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics or Aesop’s Fables, or listen to the audiobooks. Read photoblogs and see art exhibits. But don’t forget to write your local government or donate to library “friends” groups to help rescue the real deal from neglect and budget cuts. 

September 29th, 2008 by Learning Systems

People look to the internet for just about everything nowadays. For school and work, entertainment, purchasing products, all types of learning content, and even friends and romance. There are sites like Facebook for socializing with those you already know, and sites like Match.com that allow users to meet potential romantic interests. So, if people are using the internet as tool to meet needs as important as friendship and love, what about something like religion? Do people look to the internet in search of religious learning content and spiritual guidance? Increasingly so. 

Thousands of religious websites exist, offering all kinds of information and services. There are massive websites offering pure learning content on religions from Cao Dai to Zoroastrianism. Other sites cater to the members of one particular faith. Some provide experiences like prayer, baptisms, marriages and funerals. Others host theological debates and discussions. 

September 26th, 2008 by Learning Systems

In the creation of your LMS, readability is just one important aspect. Readability refers to the ease with which an audience processes the presented information. For example, short sentences are preferable to long sentences. Syntax, or word order, is another important element. Often writers don’t realize that complex or flowery language doesn’t necessarily appeal to their audience. In a tool such as an LMS, such language is not only unnecessary, but detrimental. 

Of course, how easy a text is to read depends not only on the writer, but the reader too. The reader brings with him or her reading skills, interest, previous knowledge, and motivation. The text is where you, the LMS writer, come in. Features that determine the readability of your text are style, structure, content, and design. 

September 25th, 2008 by Learning Systems

Let’s say you’re a business designing your learning management system, and you want to use Coggno to train your employees with maximum efficiency. You understand that Coggno’s Quiz Creator helps ensure that students are keeping on top of the content. But you keep in mind that you’re not dealing with middle-schoolers. Aren’t quizzes a learning tool for young learners only? In a learning management system geared to train adults, wouldn’t it be better to stick with other keep-you-on-your-toes tools, like interactive simulations? 

The fact is that what works for young learners usually works for adults as well. Interspersing quizzes throughout the learning content, in conjunction with other assessment methods in your learning management system, will strengthen the effectiveness of your learning plan and enhance your workplace learning environment.  

September 24th, 2008 by Learning Systems

Have you ever experienced difficulty using a program, but the “help” link led you to a jargon-infested page that was equally difficult to decipher? How did you ultimately find a solution to your problem? Coming to a brick wall in a learning management system is a frustrating experience, regardless of user age and context.

If you’re a business using a learning management system, don’t forget that your trainees may experience difficulty using the system. Making it user-friendly is essential, but some form of help should be available to users at all times, should they experience difficulties. And regardless of whether it’s a learning management system or a simple program, though written help may involve some complicated language, making the language as accessible as possible will help prevent seemingly dead-end situations for your users.