MMP - Final!

Hello!

My MMP project is complete!  There are two elements to my project. 

The first is the presentation.  This would be delivered via a PC to an individual instructor at our school.  It is an audio/visual presentation of the steps needed to use Airdrop on a MacBook or iPad.  I move through the steps pretty quickly in this overview. 

The second part of my MMP is a training module that the instructor can use for practice and future reference.  It is the same slides used in the audio presentation, but it is fully-navigable course.  Instructors can work through it at their own pace to set-up and use Airdrop. 

 

PowerPoint Presentation  (Once you open it, you have to download the presentation to use the navigation buttons).



Reflection:
My learning objectives for this training were:

• Understand how to set-up AirDrop on the iPad.
• Understand how to AirDrop a file to another iPad.
• Understand basic troubleshooting for AirDrop.
• Apply your knowledge by using AirDrop to send a file.

Overall, I feel that I met the objectives for my training.  My training design walks the learner through set-up of AirDrop on the iPad (and MacBook), demonstrates how to send a file, and asks them to apply that knowledge.  The only objective that I overlooked was the "basic troubleshooting".  Though I reference some common issues - such as having difficulty in finding the recipient if their iPad hasn't been named - I don't specifically address troubleshooting or common issues.  Once I started to develop my training, the troubleshooting piece just didn't seem to flow.

I feel that AirDrop is one of those tools that can simplify technology in the classroom.  Rather than sending links to files on their shared drive, or dealing with email file limits, AirDrop allows for a simple file transfer process, which facilitates the use of technology in the classroom.

Following the peer critique of my project, I made several changes.  I changed the overall look and removed the large, distracting headers.  I added navigation buttons at the request of my co-worker, to make it resemble much of the computer-based training that we already have established.  I cut out some information that seemed distracting and tried to highlight key points.  Peer feedback from classmates, co-workers and the Apple online community helped me hone the finer points of the project. 

I learned quite a bit during this process, especially in regards to how technology interacts with each other.  For example, I spent almost as much time figuring out how to display my project on my blog, as I spent creating my project.  I tried work-arounds, I Googled my problem, I attempted several file conversions...and through all of that I learned a lot of what didn't work! 

Through this project, I have created a training module that the instructors at my school can use for initial acquisition of the skill, as well as refresher training.  They can also show the project to their students to assist them with setting up AirDrop. 

I'm not certain what this project will look like 1 year from now.  I expect to it evolve following additional feedback from students and instructors.  I will happily clarify or add additional information, as needed. 

I'm happy with my choice to stay with PowerPoint, even though it's not as glamorous as some other tools.  PowerPoint is well understood among our instructors and it works well with our devices.  Because of government restrictions to what tools and sites we can access, I had concerns about trying to download and embed many other "unauthorized" products.  I have seen too many of them removed without notice and I didn't want to risk losing my project!

Blog Post 8 - Technology Tool Kit

Hello! 

I used the site Pearltrees to showcase my collection of technology-related sites to share with our faculty.  Some of our faculty members already use this tool to collect news sites.  We draw much of our curriculum from real-world news sites, and for some of our tech-savvy instructors, this has been an easy way to document and share their favorite sites. 

http://www.pearltrees.com/hortonec

My technology tool kit is designed for partly for use by foreign language teachers, but my main focus is on our faculty training program.  Much of my focus is on short, reusable, relevant training sessions for our faculty.  The tools I have curated below are simple, intuitive and easy to learn - all of which are a must at our school.

1.  eMaze:  eMaze is an easy-to-use presentation software.  This tool is a great alternative to PowerPoint.  Additionally, it can be used to create professional-looking websites with fun fonts, unique backgrounds and a variety of layouts.  This tool can be used for our train-the-trainer sessions.

2.  iPad:  Official Apple Support:  For our team, this site is a must-have and it is frequently used.  This is basic guidance for Apple products and our staff and faculty are frequent visitors to this site.  Rather than "reinvent the wheel" by re-creating training on Apple products, we often ask our new instructors to review the guidance on Apple's website.  This site is helpful for both our beginner and our advanced instructors. 

3.  Prezi:  This is actually my favorite presentation software!  Easy-to-use, it looks like you have some amazing technical skills and spent hours building a fun, engaging presentation.  The free version limits some of the capabilities, but still allows for the creation of impressive looking presentations.  This site is good for train-the-trainer sessions.

4.  Youtube:  Youtube is an extremely valuable website for accessing training videos.  Just like the Apple website, Youtube has ready-to-go training on Excel functions, PowerPoint tips and tricks, and more advanced skills like audio and video editing.  Youtube's free access to user-generated videos creates a gold mine of experience available to anyone.  This site is good for personal professional development and in-class use.

5.  Screencastomatic:  This simple, intuitive software allows users to create screencasts that they can save and share.  This tool is amazing for showing others how to use both hardware and software products.  The free version offers all of the capabilities needed to create basic screencasts, save them, and share them.  This site is good for train-the-trainer sessions.

6.  My Simple Show:  This software creates short, fun presentations using your text and their graphics.  Though the graphics are limited, this can be an engaging way to explain a concept or present new information.  The free version offers enough options for those looking for a fun introduction to a new topic, or a quick overview of a concept.  This site is great for pre-lesson introductions.

7.  Voki:  This software allows the user to create an avatar and provide it with audio, either through typed text or by using your own voice.  The free version is limited but for a reasonable fee, a variety of options are available.  The avatars are a perfect way to engage students through unique characters.  This site is great for pre-lesson introductions.

8.  Pixabay:  Pixabay is a collection of free images.  This site is perfect for instructors who are nervous about copyright and fair use agreements.  The key here is free, free, free!  This site is great for lesson development.

9.  Adobe Spark: Adobe Spark assists users in creating fun, simple videos and images.  The tool is simple, which makes it easy to learn, but it is also limited due to its simplicity.  This is a fantastic tool for creating simple movies from pictures.  This site is good for lesson development.

10.  Audacity:  Audacity is a well-known tool for editing audio cuts.  It is robust and able to accomplish a variety of tasks, though there is a substantial learning curve for those unfamiliar with audio editing.  This site is good for lesson development.