XplanaZine

Use fable-based interactive problem-solving games for team-building. It was what came immediately to mind when I saw “ClickProverbes” game in the exhibitor’s hall at this year’s International Conference for Multimedia Education in Quebec City. http://www.rima2004.org/ Developed by Belgium’s Crossroads Digital Media, http://www.crossroads-digimedia.com/ ClickProverbes explores human nature and organizational behavior through fables and “animal proverbs,” many of which are reminiscent of La Fontaine or Aesop. Continue reading ‘Games, Team-Building, and ClickProverbes’

Successful completion of an online course is often more difficult for the military student than for the regular working adult. Educational program administrators who have strictly adhered to commonly-adopted best practices may find that their policies, procedures, and instructional strategies conflict with operational realities of their military students who must overcome obstacles such as deployment, frequent TDYs, field training, remote locations, and security restrictions. Even military students who have worked carefully with education officers find that there is a gap between theory and practice, and the students who enthusiastically embark on an online course touted as cutting edge are often not able to complete it, or drop out after one semester. There are many reasons and contributing factors. Some have to do with poor information and advising. More often than not, the problems lie in the course structure and administration, with policies and procedures that are more appropriate for working adults who live in one time zone, have access to high-speed DSL or cable modems, and whose academic lives are not interrupted by being in harm’s way. Many issues can be avoided by building in accommodations and implementing proposed solutions found below in the “Checklist of Frequently Encountered Difficulties.” Continue reading ‘Online Courses for Active-Duty Military Personnel’