Engaging Learners with Technology (1): Midnight Madness

This module addresses the challenges of design project-based learning activities, as Norm and Marcie figure out how to get students to learn about floor plans.

Excited about creating his first course, Norm goes techno-crazy and buys out the electronics store. However, he soon discovers that learner engagement - like Christmas - doesnt come in a box.

This is the first in a series of 6 animated scenarios produced for eCampus Alberta to introduce veteran and new teachers to accessible and engaging ideas for using technology in their course design.

The series follows the development of Your Home - Your Way, a fictional, new school that teaches would-be home builders everything they need to know about planning, contracting and building their own homes. At least, thats the schools mission. But as expert builder and best-selling author Norm Gustavson and his techno-savvy daughter Marcie discover in the video series, building castles in quicksand is easier than starting an online/offline school based on Norms best-selling book.

Norm and Marcie are the brains and brawn of the school, responsible for everything from course development to classroom construction. Their plan is to offer 12 courses, which students can complete in face-to-face classes, online or in combination.

Over the course of the six videos, Norm and Marcie struggle to find ways to develop courses that are modular, accessible, easy-to-deliver, easy-to-maintain and easy-to-update. They want their learning activities to support real-world, messy learning, collaboration and problem-solving. And they want to be the best building school in the world.

The six story titles are:
Midnight Madness
Picture This
Kingdom of Plumbing
Design Deepot
Strokes of Genius
Dudes Who Do

Category:

Education

Tags:

• learning
• engagement
• technology
• story
• design