Customer Reviews

The Online Learning Idea Book, Volume 1: 95 Proven Ways to Enhance Technology-Based and Blended Learning

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This book takes an interesting approach to online learning. Rather than an author expounding on some specific learning methodology that's guaranteed to revolutionize your system and your learners, Patti Shank collects ideas from practitioners in the field including her own experiences. Most of the contributors provided more than one idea to the text, but there are still at least 30 different viewpoints represented. And, the contributors seem to come from a wide spectrum of (mostly U.S.) educators in both corporate training and higher education.

The book contains almost 100 ideas broken into 10 broad categories related to online learning. Sections like: Ideas for Making Collaboration Work, Ideas for Supporting Learners and Learning, Ideas for Synchronous Activities, etc. Each idea is presented succinctly in 1-4 pages outline style. And, each is detailed by what the idea is, why you would want to use it, how you might use it and who to contact for more information (if needed). Most ideas contain at least one screen shot showing the idea "in action".

As a software developer, I have spent the last 15 years on the "other side" of online learning: designing, building and operationally supporting a number of Learning Management Systems. So many of these ideas presented here were quite familiar to me. The rest ran the gamut from insightful to kind of campy. However, the format made for a fast and easy read. Well worth the time spent.

The book is probably best suited for educators and instructional designers looking to find ways to spruce up their offerings or increase the effectiveness of their material. All of the ideas are aimed at increasing the interactivity of online learning.

For someone interested in online learning and looking to see what kinds of tools and techniques are out there, this book is a great survey of current practice.

Patti Shank has collected a treasure trove of interactive ideas for all types of online learning -- synchronous, asynchronous, instructor-led, and self-directed. Even experienced designers and developers are sure to find new and creative ideas for improving online programs. In fact, I came up with innovative ideas for my classroom training (particularly in the synchronous training chapter.) All you need is a little imagination to use these ideas to solve a wide range of learning challenges. When the examples are not proprietary, Patti provides links so you can see the ideas in action. For example, the book references two low-cost software programs to help assess learning (e.g., Hot Potatoes and Quiz Game Master.) A companion CD in the next edition of this book would be a great asset for helping visualize some of the ideas presented.

I suggest The Online Learning Idea Book be a part of your "toolkit" for designing any type of online learning program. You can also feel confident that the Patti's collection of ideas are based on solid performance improvement theory and will make a true impact on your learners.

Patti has done an excellent job of putting together a collection of ideas and suggestions from some of the most accomplished online learning "experts." By that, I don't necessarily mean people with academic backgrounds. I mean people who've been in the business trenches and have found from experience what worked, what didn't, and what might have worked if it had been presented differently. What's missing from so many books of this kind is what I call the "how to." Patti acknowledges that fact with, "This book shows you concrete examples of people making learning better every day, in all kinds of settings, all over the world."

The book can be read in a linear fashion, but I found that I liked jumping around in it and making my own "Ah ha" connections among the ideas. Most ideas are no more than 3-4 pages, and include many job aids and visual references which make the ideas come alive.

I highly recommended this collection. You'll start making your own connections and developing material that will help your learners truly engage and enjoy.

What I like best about this book is that it covers a wide range of topics. When you're working in e-learning you have a different focus depending on what project you're doing at the moment and sometimes you need a refresher on topics. A refresher can be a chapter, an article, or just an idea that triggers your memory. For example, myself I upload to an LMS, but I don't manage an LMS. The articles that went over LMS ideas were a good refresher for me.
When a book claims to have 95 proven ways to enhance technology based and blended learning you realize some of those I ideas may be fillers. I would have said that was not the case up to the beginning of the final chapter. The final chapter "Ideas for Creative Media" I could not help but think this was thrown in. This is a hot area in the online learning world, the way people learn is changing dramatically, and I guess I will have to wait for book 2.
That said, it is a good book, a nice read, I read it completely and highlighted it and it will sit on my office self for future reference.

Keith Johnson
Online Learning Specialist/Flash Designer
Seattle, WA

My favorite part about this book is that it gives practical examples of what can be done with online learning, and how to do it. I work with lots of industries, and each of my clients wants (and quite honestly, needs) something different. This book always helps me find a solution.

Of the several hundred books I have purchased from Amazon, I have returned less than 5. This is one of them. It was very disappointing; most of them were pie in the sky ideas with nothing to help in terms of actually implementing them. I'm looking elsewhere before teaching my first online class in the fall.

The book arrived on time as looked new. This is the book for my graduate course and it provides excellent resources for incorporating technology into the 21st century classroom. It has wonderful ideas which can be used immediately.

Please note that this book now has a NEWER VERSION and this version is now the OLDER VERSION of the book. If you want the updated version of the book, you should purchase the newer version.

Patti Shank, PhD, CPT
The Online Learning Idea Book, Volume Two: Proven Ways to Enhance Technology-Based and Blended Learning

Patti Shank has collected great ideas about online learning and teaching from all over the globe. If you are an online instructor or instructional designer looking for new ways to involve and engage your learners, you'll be inspired by this book!

All instructional designers creating instructor led, blended, or e-learning should read this book and have plenty of post-its or flags on hand. I found many great new ideas that I can adapt and use in a variety of learning environments. This is a great reference book that those in ID should keep at arms length as they are designing.