eLearning, Design, Public Networking and Educational Policies

In order for me to become a successful Instructional Designer, I find that learning about the study’s history and concepts will enable me to broaden my horizons. Learning-Theories.com (2008) provides such an avenue with its index of learning theories and models. This site offers direct and informative definitions pertaining to the styles/methods/theories of learning and instructional design. In understanding these concepts, I am able to apply such concepts to deliverable electronic learning (eLearning)and traditional learning modules.

As we forge towards the future and engage in technology development as a tool for learning, we must not only consider the user capabilities, design and results, but we must consider the security of the public networks or websites we will utilize. Econsultancy: Digital Marketers United (2010) provides ten common tips to assist in ensuring your data and/or sites are secure. The Instructional Design & Development blog provides insight from various contributors from the Instructional Design and Development department of DePaul University. On March 1, 2010, an interesting point was posted (FERPA and the Web 2.0 Classroom: Part 2) by a fellow blogger which raised concerns about public network usage, specifically web technology, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

In response, I agree with the statements noted pertaining to FERPA and the utilization of net-based programs to drive innovation and collaboration amongst the educational realm, I would also challenge that instructor(s), as well as the student(s), ensure that the public learning environments being created be password protected or only open to those interested in creating accounts to partake in the forum(s). Although this may limit the amount of viewers it will, however, minimize potential risks in obtaining personal identifiers for those adding to the site as well as its creator.


With the previously noted in mind, I was in search of some additional insight on an upcoming project and the following site offered such guidance. Cathy Moore, creator of blog site Making Change: Ideas for Lively eLearning (2007), has created an interactive blog site for the novice to experienced instructional designer. The site provides scenario based design and eLearning solutions and ideas that are creative and fun. It also addresses ways to remain competitive and on-top by providing innovative solutions, as well as useful sites and references for additional assistance. I found this blog community extremely informative and user-friendly to where I too was able to drum up some ideas on how to draft out and create an effective eLearning training module for our regional Call Centers.