Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Assessment as Advanced Organizer
Before beginning my study of the next section, I took the next assessment test. I recorded the questions so that I could focus on these areas as I study the next section. Surprisingly, I passed the second assessment with a score of 76%! I could accept the score and not worry about testing, however, I want to see if the assessment-as-advanced-organizer approach will improve my score.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Testing... Testing....
This is week three of this online course.
Since my last post, I've taken the first assessment test three times. You can take it as often as you like, until you get a score that you are happy with. Once you accept the score, you can see which answers are correct or incorrect.
This assessment had 30 multiple choice and T/F questions. It seemed fair enough. Still, my highest score was 70%, which is the minimum needed to pass. The tests are not timed, so you could make it an open note test. Since I'm not a fan of tests, and do not feel that they are an accurate representation of my grasp of the material, I am okay with 70%. I can use the assessments as learning tool.
As for the instruction... The talking heads have done an acceptable job in explaining the concepts for each topic.
I've attended two weekly conference calls. The first was focused on getting us used to the conference call technology and communications protocol for the class. The second class answered basic questions about the course, about PMI, and some other topics that I can no longer recall. Nothing class/course/module/topic specific.
Since my last post, I've taken the first assessment test three times. You can take it as often as you like, until you get a score that you are happy with. Once you accept the score, you can see which answers are correct or incorrect.
This assessment had 30 multiple choice and T/F questions. It seemed fair enough. Still, my highest score was 70%, which is the minimum needed to pass. The tests are not timed, so you could make it an open note test. Since I'm not a fan of tests, and do not feel that they are an accurate representation of my grasp of the material, I am okay with 70%. I can use the assessments as learning tool.
As for the instruction... The talking heads have done an acceptable job in explaining the concepts for each topic.
I've attended two weekly conference calls. The first was focused on getting us used to the conference call technology and communications protocol for the class. The second class answered basic questions about the course, about PMI, and some other topics that I can no longer recall. Nothing class/course/module/topic specific.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
As for the remaining lectures in Week 1...
The all but one of the remaining lectures in the Week 1 Module were presented by a different talking head. The new talking head introduced himself as an instructional designer with 10 years of experience (when the content was recorded). He designed the lessons (maybe the entire course system?). I found it interesting that in addition to designing the instruction, he ALSO explained the concepts delivered in several lecture topics.
Unlike the first two talking heads, the ID talking head actually gave more in depth information on the concepts presented in each lecture. I ended up taking a lot of notes! And his delivery style was engaging -- for a talking head.
These lectures also used a combination of an online quiz, another case study, and questions for thought. After the case study and questions for thought, the presenters would discuss the key ideas that should have been considered, as well as things to keep in mind in when faced with these situation. As for the quiz, the format was one multiple choice question per slide. Feedback was given immediately after a choice was made, explain why the choice was correct or, if correct, why the correct answer was the preferred answer in that instance.
As for finding the workbook, I ended up posting a question seeking its location, and some explained that it was in the last of the five books that were sent. Oh well. There are only two pages to complete to catch up, and it will serve as a review.
One of the lectures included a pdf that gave more in depth discussion about one of the concepts. It's actually very useful!
Now all I have left is to read the assigned PMBOK Guide chapters before I start Week 2. I think I will take the first assessment before I start Week 2 to see my progress and to see what I may need to review.
I have a better impression of the training today.
Unlike the first two talking heads, the ID talking head actually gave more in depth information on the concepts presented in each lecture. I ended up taking a lot of notes! And his delivery style was engaging -- for a talking head.
These lectures also used a combination of an online quiz, another case study, and questions for thought. After the case study and questions for thought, the presenters would discuss the key ideas that should have been considered, as well as things to keep in mind in when faced with these situation. As for the quiz, the format was one multiple choice question per slide. Feedback was given immediately after a choice was made, explain why the choice was correct or, if correct, why the correct answer was the preferred answer in that instance.
As for finding the workbook, I ended up posting a question seeking its location, and some explained that it was in the last of the five books that were sent. Oh well. There are only two pages to complete to catch up, and it will serve as a review.
One of the lectures included a pdf that gave more in depth discussion about one of the concepts. It's actually very useful!
Now all I have left is to read the assigned PMBOK Guide chapters before I start Week 2. I think I will take the first assessment before I start Week 2 to see my progress and to see what I may need to review.
I have a better impression of the training today.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
First Class Session
I just finished the first 5 of 11 lecture topics for the Week 1 module.
Each lecture is comprised of 8 to 18 "talking head" slides. Imagine a PowerPoint slide, with a large image of a head on the right, and some bullet points on the left. The image is a video recording of a person talking you about the concepts on that slide. Occasionally, a diagram or some other graphic with voice over is used on a concept slide in lieu of a talking head. Each head talks for about 60 seconds. The lecture topic units are about 8 to 18 minutes long.
Some where around lecture 4, a case study was introduced. I read the case study in the companion book, and then returned to the lecture. The talking head posed some questions for consideration, then discussed the important issues. After one of lectures I was given an interactive assessment where I had to match concepts with definitions by sliding the concept letter over to the appropriate definition. If correct, the letter stuck. If incorrect, it did not stick. Periodically I am asked to review some study questions in an appendix that I cannot find. If I cannot locate the workbook in question, I will post question to the instructor.
I am also supposed to read the PMBOK Guide (Project Management Book of Knowledge) during the course. The instructor referred to it as an alternative to Ambien. Oh joy.
This is a passive online learning experience so far. Maybe things will heat up when people post questions on the discussion board.
Each lecture is comprised of 8 to 18 "talking head" slides. Imagine a PowerPoint slide, with a large image of a head on the right, and some bullet points on the left. The image is a video recording of a person talking you about the concepts on that slide. Occasionally, a diagram or some other graphic with voice over is used on a concept slide in lieu of a talking head. Each head talks for about 60 seconds. The lecture topic units are about 8 to 18 minutes long.
Some where around lecture 4, a case study was introduced. I read the case study in the companion book, and then returned to the lecture. The talking head posed some questions for consideration, then discussed the important issues. After one of lectures I was given an interactive assessment where I had to match concepts with definitions by sliding the concept letter over to the appropriate definition. If correct, the letter stuck. If incorrect, it did not stick. Periodically I am asked to review some study questions in an appendix that I cannot find. If I cannot locate the workbook in question, I will post question to the instructor.
I am also supposed to read the PMBOK Guide (Project Management Book of Knowledge) during the course. The instructor referred to it as an alternative to Ambien. Oh joy.
This is a passive online learning experience so far. Maybe things will heat up when people post questions on the discussion board.
First Impressions - 1st Project Management Certification Course
Since I'm in the middle of taking an online course that introduces us issues around designing and managing distance education, AND I'm embarking on the first of three 8 week online project management certification courses, I thought it might be a good idea to reflect on my experience with the project management course. I might ALSO reflect on my experience with the distance education course from time to time.
Confused? Unless I specify otherwise, these posts will be on the PM online learning experience.
The class runs 8 weeks, and started on June 1 and ends on July 26.
To pass the class I have to score 70% or higher on each of the eight assessments. I can take the assessments as many times as I want, and each time that I do, I can see my score. The moment I'm happy with my score, I can save that score and move on to the next test. I won't see the actual answers until I submit the score. I've already taken the first assessment as a pretest and score 52% without having taken the online instruction.
Materials were mailed out in advance. They are 5 books with presentation slides printed in note taking format, one PMBOK Guide (the Project Management Institute's PM Book of Knowledge), some DVD's of the course material, and a welcome letter.
The course is meant to be accessed on line. I log into the course website, select my course, and then click the link to view the presentation. I haven't viewed the presentation yet.
The model for this instruction is linear designed instruction. I review the lectures, read a case, answer questions about the case, then continue to watch the lectures. In week 2, I take my first assessment test -- a 50 question multiple choice test. I can keep taking the test until I get the score I need or want.
There are three teacher/facilitators for the course. They answer questions on the discussion board, and then once a week they hold a live desktop interactive conference session using Elluminate. Attendance is optional for these synchronous communication sessions. The sessions are recorded and can be accessed later if desired.
The first synchronous session was cancelled at the last minute due to technical difficulties. Apparently several students did not find this out until after they attempted to log in. No email was sent in advance; a message was posted on the discussion board.
There are two discussion boards -- one for course discussion and one for all other discussion. The facilitator asked and and then reminded students to post their greetings and bios on the OTHER board, but many did not do this. I do not think the instructors/facilitators plan to post discussion questions on the course discussion board. Rather, I think the students will post their questions and the instructors will answer their questions. Maybe there will be actual discussion. There are some students who are forming a study group. I will probably pass on joining the study group this time around, but will check it out -- or form one -- for the next class.
There are no assignments in this class. And the course is self-paced. All you need to do is pass the four assessments to pass the class.
There are over 100 students enrolled in this class. All are adults. Of those who posted their bios, many are military or former military. Many come from IT industries. Most have been or currently are responsible for managing projects, and want to learn how the process.
I took the IDDE Project Management course in my program, however, I want to get PMP certified as a project manager. The PM certification program in which I am enrolled will prepare me to take the PMP certification exam. There are three courses in this certification. The first two teach the info needed to run projects and pass the exam. The third focuses on passing the PMP certification exam, and includes many practice tests.
My initial impression is that this course is an online correspondence course. Online/recorded lectures replace the written text. Instead of mailing in your test for grading, you take the test on line. The teachers can be contacted by asynchronous discussion boards. They offer real-time interaction with the teacher once a week. The instructional media are diverse. And student interaction is not built into the instruction.
That's all I have to say right now. I will start listening to the lectures and will reflect on those later. I wanted to get my first impressions down before they are washed away.
Confused? Unless I specify otherwise, these posts will be on the PM online learning experience.
The class runs 8 weeks, and started on June 1 and ends on July 26.
To pass the class I have to score 70% or higher on each of the eight assessments. I can take the assessments as many times as I want, and each time that I do, I can see my score. The moment I'm happy with my score, I can save that score and move on to the next test. I won't see the actual answers until I submit the score. I've already taken the first assessment as a pretest and score 52% without having taken the online instruction.
Materials were mailed out in advance. They are 5 books with presentation slides printed in note taking format, one PMBOK Guide (the Project Management Institute's PM Book of Knowledge), some DVD's of the course material, and a welcome letter.
The course is meant to be accessed on line. I log into the course website, select my course, and then click the link to view the presentation. I haven't viewed the presentation yet.
The model for this instruction is linear designed instruction. I review the lectures, read a case, answer questions about the case, then continue to watch the lectures. In week 2, I take my first assessment test -- a 50 question multiple choice test. I can keep taking the test until I get the score I need or want.
There are three teacher/facilitators for the course. They answer questions on the discussion board, and then once a week they hold a live desktop interactive conference session using Elluminate. Attendance is optional for these synchronous communication sessions. The sessions are recorded and can be accessed later if desired.
The first synchronous session was cancelled at the last minute due to technical difficulties. Apparently several students did not find this out until after they attempted to log in. No email was sent in advance; a message was posted on the discussion board.
There are two discussion boards -- one for course discussion and one for all other discussion. The facilitator asked and and then reminded students to post their greetings and bios on the OTHER board, but many did not do this. I do not think the instructors/facilitators plan to post discussion questions on the course discussion board. Rather, I think the students will post their questions and the instructors will answer their questions. Maybe there will be actual discussion. There are some students who are forming a study group. I will probably pass on joining the study group this time around, but will check it out -- or form one -- for the next class.
There are no assignments in this class. And the course is self-paced. All you need to do is pass the four assessments to pass the class.
There are over 100 students enrolled in this class. All are adults. Of those who posted their bios, many are military or former military. Many come from IT industries. Most have been or currently are responsible for managing projects, and want to learn how the process.
I took the IDDE Project Management course in my program, however, I want to get PMP certified as a project manager. The PM certification program in which I am enrolled will prepare me to take the PMP certification exam. There are three courses in this certification. The first two teach the info needed to run projects and pass the exam. The third focuses on passing the PMP certification exam, and includes many practice tests.
My initial impression is that this course is an online correspondence course. Online/recorded lectures replace the written text. Instead of mailing in your test for grading, you take the test on line. The teachers can be contacted by asynchronous discussion boards. They offer real-time interaction with the teacher once a week. The instructional media are diverse. And student interaction is not built into the instruction.
That's all I have to say right now. I will start listening to the lectures and will reflect on those later. I wanted to get my first impressions down before they are washed away.
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