Posts Tagged ‘strategies’
One of the biggest opportunities in online learning spaces lies with YouTube videos.
Not PowerPoint-based, talking head, traditional lecture videos. That is combining an old strategy with a new video platform.
It not even only about using movie clips or broadcast news snippets to generate discussion. This strategy, while still valid and potentially powerful, is already established.
Instead, the opportunities open up with snappy, entertaining videos like the one above. Or decision tree videos, situational dramas for reflection and discussion, interviews like Tyson’s, etc.
The new videos are shorter in duration, higher on entertainment value, are more interactive (giving the viewer choice or requiring their input), and provide for shared and immediate context.
The strategies that enable their use include designing short and inter-related tasks, providing user choice, creating context, and promoting opportunities for content creation, analysis, and reflection.
Stand to win a $50 Kinokuniya voucher just by following us @MOEsg & RT this! on.fb.me/Tjefda #MOEContest—
MOE Singapore (@MOEsg) August 28, 2012
I was not sure what to make of this tweet from the official MOE Twitter account. In case it goes missing, the tweet is:
Stand to win a $50 Kinokuniya voucher just by following us @MOEsg & RT this! http://on.fb.me/Tjefda #MOEContest
The skeptic in me would point out that:
- this is a corporate strategy, not an educational one
- this is an attempt to buy followers
- the followers may not be there for the right reasons
- followers might leave if the contest ceases or the content is unappealing
- it sends the wrong message
- the strategy is not sustainable
The realist in me would say that:
- if you have the dough, go with the flow
- this is one of several strategies (it better be a hook that is tied to a longer line!)
- it will provide an immediate boost to the number of followers
- they could build on the initial mass
I have two other “crazy” strategies, one that we practice for @cel_nie and one for me (@ashley).
For @cel_nie, we simply share and try to keep it real. We have seen a slow but steady increase in followers as we do this. Were we tempted to dangle cash carrots? Yes. Did we? No.
For @ashley, I actually block followers. With such a popular handle, I experience a lot of noise and get the wrong followers. I block about 50 unique people a day. This reduces my follower count by about 1500 a month.
Both strategies do not rely on gimmicks and focus on quality over quantity.
No matter what anyone tells you, educational twittering is not about the numbers game. It is about educating first.
Sessions on mobile learning
Posted on: August 5, 2011
The CeL will be offering sessions on mobile productivity, teaching and learning over the semester break in September. These workshops will be for NIE staff only.
Some of the topics might revolve around mobile strategies for using Dropbox, Evernote, the latest version of Softchalk and QR codes. Four of us from the CeL will facilitate one session each.
We have also opted to create an open fifth session. This will be done “unconference” style and we hope that other staff who have tips and tricks to share will do so a few minutes at a time.
These other open topics could include presentation tools, shared whiteboarding, smartphone based clickers for item response and feedback, photo editing, annotating and sharing, using location-aware apps, etc.
