Week Four (.5??)

Happy Sunday!

Before I hit the pool I decided to search around Blackboard for some submission guidelines for EDUC648.  Paul has done a great job mapping out our summer schedule, with reasonable suggested guidelines which I know is a HUGE relief to me during this short semester.  So while the milestones are suggested, I'm not sure if I actually have to send submit anything before the end of the semester - remind me to ask in class on Tuesday.  In the mean I'm going to post my Analysis Report & Objectives here...

Crawl, Walk, Run:

Introduction to Basic Text Edits in Adobe InDesign

Rationale

It is currently common practice for training facilitators to frequently request minor edits to course materials between classes.  Often times there is a quick turn around time requested and this places stress on the training team, instructional designers, and the print shop.  Due to the timeliness of the request, the instructional designers are forced to put a hold on other projects to make basic edits; managing multiple projects while spending time completing repetitive yet time consuming tasks add further delay to printing.  By empowering the training teams within Professional Development, Organizational Development, and Project Office (PD/OD/PO), with the ability to use InDesign to make basic text edits the team has more control over turn around time and is able to gain experience with a piece of design software.  

Sponsored by the Instructional Design team (ISD Team), this course will provide the training team with a summary of the InDesign layout and how to navigate through basic text edits.  The modules will be asynchronous and allow participate to learn a tool, see a tool in action, practice using the tool, and ultimately be tested on use of the tool.  A single page job aid will be provided to participants along with the modules, this aid can be used as a quick reference tool to identify specific areas of the screen such as tools, properties, and exporting to a PDF.  

Target Population

The target population of this course is primarily the facilitators and program managers within the Professional Development, Organizational Development, and Project Office Department (PD/OD/PO) at Aerotek.  This course will serve as an informal offering for the members of PD/OD/PO and therefore can be completed by any team member regardless of title, however access to an Adobe InDesign license may be limited.  Participants can be anywhere from a few weeks to years in their current role.  Being training professionals in one capacity or another, these individuals are invested in and eager for training.  While they are eager for training, some individuals may have a difficult time finding time to complete the course, due to their training or project schedules.  Participants are likely to be comfortable asking questions and are most likely to identify a member of the ISD Team as a resource.  

Course Description and Modules

The Introduction to Basic Text Edits in Adobe InDesign is made up of self-guided modules which will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.  The instructional methods will include web-based presentation, participant interaction, and knowledge checks.  The modules are to be completed asynchronously and can be completed individually or in groups with each individual working on their own laptop.  The modules will be delivered by way of Captivate video, Adobe Captivate Viewer may be a required download depending on each individuals current programs, and printable job aid will be provided to all participants.  

The course will be offered in the following modules:

•   Module 1: Introduction to layout of Adobe InDesign and basic tools.
•   Module 2: Making basic edits to training materials.   

Terminal Objectives

Given the content provided by way of Computer Based Training (CBT), a quick reference job aid, and access to laptops and Adobe Captivate Viewer, the participant participating in the Crawl, Walk, Run course should be able to make basic text edits to training materials in Adobe InDesign.  No deficiency will be allowed, and the participant must repeat text exercises until a level of success to be determined by the ISD Team Manager and the relevant Program Manager to ensure integrity of our training materials.  

Enabling Objectives

Module 1 - Introduction to layout of Adobe InDesign and basic tools: Given the content provided through CBT, the quick reference job aid, and access to laptops and Adobe Captivate Viewer, the participant should, without much error, be able to:

       1.  Identify tools areas of the Indesign interface such as the Menu Bar, Panels, specifically the Properties panel, and the Tools   

            Panel.  

       2.  Define the functionality of the Selection, Direct Selection, and Type tools.  

Module 2 - Making basic edits to training materials: Given the content provided by CBT and access to laptops and Adobe Captivate Viewer, the participant should, without much error, be able to:  

       1.  Identify common tools to be used during text edits, such as the Selection, Direct Selection and Type tools.  

       2.  Identify the Color panel and practice changing color of text.

       3.  Identify the text editing tools to alter font type, size, and alignment.

       4.  Complete basic text edits in a test environment.  

Evaluation Strategy

Participants will complete a level 1 evaluation to measure their reactions to the course and asynchronous environment.

A level 2 evaluation of this course will consist of built-in knowledge checks throughout each module and brief quizzes at the of each module.

Learner Prerequisites

Participants in this training must be a member of PD/OD/PO, in the future the course may be shared with other departments if required.  They must be nominated for participation by their Manager or Director.  Participants are required to download Adobe Captivate Viewer prior to completing the modules and they must complete the training individually on their laptop. 

Deliverables

• Analysis Report
• Storyboard
• Computer Based Training Modules (with Level 2 Evaluation built-in)
• Level 1 Evaluation materials
• Quick Reference Job Aid

Week Four

In Week 4 we finished up a few exercises in Captivate and then spent the majority of our class in Photoshop.  We were able to create a banner using 3 different photos and a bit of text.  Additionally, we were introduced to .jpg and .png files.  Over the past few months I have learned that .pngs are my best friend; not only do they interface with Captivate and become part of the file, but .pngs are also how I am able to insert images, logos, wheels, etc. with no background color, so the image is able to lay seamlessly over the background. 

You may noticed on the left hand side of this page there's a box listed upcoming races.  This idea made PERFECT sense when I thought I had decided to create the running module for my project.  So as I sat and tried to write my Rationale and Target Population, I began to realize that perhaps the running module was not the best choice, but we'll keep the race countdown for accountability reasons (and because I like it!).  Ultimately, I have decided to go ahead and create a module on basic text edits in Adobe InDesign.  So next on my plate is to finish up my Analysis Report and begin my storyboards (I've already been storyboarding in my head for a few weeks, so this should be easy peasy).

Next week we are scheduled to cover buttons, pointers, and highlights.  I'm excited for this lesson and am hoping to have some of my custom buttons developed my next Tuesday so I can work those into my practice exercises during class.

Not only am I up to my ears in Captivate, but so is Sophie!  Speaking of ears, aren't hers the best?!?!?

I told everyone about Soph on the first night of class & promised she'd be featured in an assignment or two over the semester, so hooray for following through!


Welp, until next week!


Cortney

Week Three

Hi Again,

In Week 3 we review our project ideas and received feedback from our instructor, Paul.  The feedback I received was very positive and by this point I had pretty much decided I was going to opt for the running module.

In class we were able to observe and practice recording simulations.  I was actually pumped when we began this lesson because earlier that day a colleague and I were trying to figure out how to record multiple types of simulations at once (Demo, Assessment & Training).  We had successfully completed this task in our Captivate training a week earlier and wanted to share it with the rest of our team at the teach-back the next day.

Tip:  To record multiple types of simulations at once go to Open - New Software Simulation, under Recording Type check Demo, Assessment, and Training.  Now you can use one recording session to produce three screen simulations that function differently but are identical.  This is a great tool to use if you are creating an online modules where users will learn a task, practice and then be tested.

Assignment for this week was to pick project and then being an analysis report with objectives.  You'll have to wait until the next post to see how my project starts off!

Until then,

Cortney

Week Two

Welcome Back!

Naturally I am a tired individual, as a child I once slept until noon on Christmas, sitting in bed for 3 hours with a computer on a Tuesday night - probably not my best idea.  But that is my current "office"situation and since my spacious closet doesn't have an outlet to bed I go, there's no reason my boyfriend and dog need to listen my web conference all night.

This week we still had some bumps logging in, figuring out the equipment, etc., but we were able to get into Captivate.  We review a few projects from prior semesters and we given a high-level overview of some of the software's capabilities.  In the past, I have had some experience with Captivate; I recorded a screen Captivate here, did a voice-over there.  However, the day before our 2nd class meeting I was exposed to a full on Captivate immersion.  My company was generous enough to send me off for a 2 day Captivate basics training with an AWESOME instructor Mark Snyder (I think?).  In that time I learned more than I expected and was not sure what the rest of my semester in 681 would be like because of this exposure.  With that said, our brief time with Captivate during Week 2 was gladly welcomed and I learned a few basic, behind the scene things that may or may not have been covered before my coffee kicked in during my training session.

Before Week 3 we are supposed to share 2 possible project ideas via blackboard for discussion next week.  My ideas are as follows:

-  InDesign Training:  The module would cover basic interface and how to make text edits.  This would be HUGE for our facilitators and would same time for both their team and the instructional designers.

-  Introduction to Running:  The running module who serve as an information tool on running, offering advice on getting started, training tips, gear, races, and resources.


Let's see what my project pipeline looks like for the next few weeks and then I can decide...

Week One

Our first week was a learning experience.  It was my first synchronous course and I'm willing to bet it was a first for a few of my classmates as well.  Most of our session was spent going through headset setup and getting oriented to Adobe Connect.  We did have time to go over the syllabus and get an idea of what the semester has in store for us.

By the end of the summer, we are to create a small web-based module, using Adobe Captivate, that provides some sort of instruction.  Since our time this semester is limited, we can create the shell of a project and fully develop one or two modules.

Before week two, we were tasked with gaining access to the remote server and seeing if we could log on successfully.  Since I'm a bit of a 'crazy planner', I was able to secure my new password and access the server before we logged off that evening.

That's all for this week - here's to smooth sailing here on out (hopefully)!

Cortney

Tag Team Back Again...

H Friends!

It has certainly been awhile since I started this blog for one of the certificate classes at Walden.  Now I find myself in a Masters program at UMBC once again journaling my trek through the world of Instructional Design.

This summer I am taking two courses at UMBC, 603 - Instructional Systems Development II and 681 - A Survey in Instruction Technology, the latter being the reason I am dusting off the old blog.  This will be my 3rd semester in the program and by the end of August I will have completed my 5th and 6th classes.  Unfortunately, a heavy course-load is the by-product of a young professional eager to conquer, acquire, and move on so I am making the best of it and using my on the job experience at Aerotek to find my way through.

It is currently the 4th week of the summer session, so admittedly I am a bit behind in the journaling.  I wasn't sure if I wanted/could use this blog space for the course; and to be honest this is my first ever synchronous online course so it has taken awhile for everyone to be up and running.

Side-note: I consider myself to be a bit of an online learning aficionado, I took primitive online courses in my undergrad, worked and studied at a 100% online university, and successfully completed online courses at UMBC - this synchronous thing is its own animal.

Anyway, I'm going to be making up for my tardiness with a few rapid-fire blog posts.  From this point on, expect weekly posting - hold me to it!


Cortney