Individualizing instruction can be a challenge given the many types of intelligence of the learners. Take the multiple intelligence test at http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks3/ict/multiple_int/index.htm and discuss how games and simulations can address the needs of multiple intelligences.

Elements used to promote a social presence in eLearning may include but are not limited to head and body movements, verbal and text communications, and simultaneous representation of multiple users or agents. What other elements can promote a social presence in an eLearning environment? Why is social presence important in an eLearning environment?

McDonald's in Japan uses games to train new hires and says it cuts new-hire training time in half. Search the Internet to locate an example of a company that uses games to train employees. What real-life examples can you find of games and simulations being used for training employees?

Most educators have no prior experience with games and simulation. Therefore, locating support from other instructors who have gone through the process of implementing games and simulations into the curriculum is imperative. What type of support would you need in order to incorporate games and simulation into your course? Also, locate at least one source of support for implementing games and simulation into the curriculum and provide details on the type of support available through this source.

What are some characteristics of games and simulation that appeal to a diverse population of learners? How can you use this information in your career?

How would you define games? Is not having a firm definition of games a disadvantage for instructors? Explain why or why not.

How can you in your role as an instructor balance theory and application in games and simulations? Give specific examples.

FACEBOOK Linking to Blog site Facebook has become a defacto standard in social media marketing for business and personal brand building thus it can work for education. The opportunities for an educator to build awareness, community, authority and sales potential in Facebook are plentiful. But, it can be daunting if you don’t understand the ins, outs, the upside and the risks.

Being heard beyond your classroom Blogs and individual blog posts also be optimized for search. It’s also important to submit a blog feed to the major search engines. SEO is not a one-time task. It requires constant evaluation and maintenance to stay on top of the rankings. To get your blog noticed by the major search engines, do the following: include keywords in individual blog posts and submit your blog’s site feed to the major search engines.

Twitter has grown from a fad to a mainstream social media tool. It’s used by people and by brands. The opportunities for an educator to communicate, build community, build awareness, and sales potential through Twitter are plentiful. But, many educators don’t understand Twitter and how it can contribute measurable results. Integrating Twitter into a class plan requires an understanding of the Twitter etiquette and best practices to engage people in meaningful ways.

Companies use social media and it has become an important part of a student’s life…thus moving it to the classroom is natural Launching a new brand in the age of social media Kellogg’s challenged ad agency Leo Burnett Worldwide to introduce their new brand Crunchy Nut into the VERY cluttered cereal market. The result? A successful PR event that utilized social media to extend their reach. Check it out… http://youtu.be/AneeqB5HeOo Do you remember this event? Or better yet, is the brand familiar to you? What is your opinion of the product launch?

How do you handle a student that do not have the required technical skills? I found referring them to the Advisor does not always help.

Are there any online techniques that you are willing to share that you have found successful? For me, having one on one sessions via the LMS has really been successful for students struggling in my class and really want to succeed.

Communication is so important in an online environment. When communicating with my students, I have to find the most effective way for each student. Effective communication for my students may include: text messages, calls and/or emails. How do you determine the best way to communicate with your students?

It is so important to have good time management skills for online learners. How do you approach a student that does not have time management skills?

In the online arena it is difficult to determine how much students are absorbing. Sometimes it feels like we are too technical and are not as in tune. What are some tips I can use to ensure I am getting my message across to my students using the latest technology?

I have found the Rubric at times to be a double edged sword where as it can gives structure to quantitative feedback, but for those students who are detailed savvy, the rubric may not be detailed enough to satisfy those students who may want more granularity in the grading process.

One lesson I have learned is never engage an (on-line) student immediately after he/she has done something antagonistic in front of the class. All it takes is on bad episode to spiral out of control as from a on-line facilitation perspective, it is extremely tough to put the genie back in the bottle again :-) My recommendation (if this occurs in an online class): (1) Whatever response you make, ensure you had ample time to think about both the content and medium (2) Go private - Resist the temptation to let everyone know who is the boss

I'm not so sure one needs a protocol or standards of communication excellence if one just uses common sense and courtesy. If one can virtually imagine that person being face to face, a lot of the illicit communications behavior would naturally fade away.

This first module has opened up my eyes with regards to facititators choosing the correct communications media to interact with their students. We tend to overuse email and not stress other more intimate means of communicating with students.