Mental and physical fatigue and multitasking

  I've been sitting at the computer for several hours now. For a while I worked on my research paper. When I need to reduce the cognitive load I popped on to Facebook for a bit. Then, I caught up on the latest posts for my course and spent some time reading a couple of articles. […]

Posted by milesmac on March 4th, 2015 | No Comments Posted in Pedagogy

MOOCs and Motivation

Addressing learner motivation in self-directed open learning environments Reading about motivation and volition in instructional design, I contextualized the ideas within self-directed open learning models, like MOOCs, which reflect social constructivism. Here, participants join large groups working toward a common goal, but pursuing their goals in smaller self-selected learning communities. For most participants, MOOCs are voluntary and […]

Posted by milesmac on February 7th, 2015 | No Comments Posted in Pedagogy

Multitasking: Preliminary Research

Distractions have long been understood to impede achievement, and memory formation (Bailey, 1889; Denio, 1897). Long before smart phones, Poyntz (1933) empirically confirmed toys and the Victrola as “potent distractors” affecting timed responses but noted positive effects on “the fertility of the children’s ideas”. The term “multitasking” emerged in the late 1980s describing a technological […]

Posted by milesmac on February 3rd, 2015 | No Comments Posted in #GWETL, big ideas, Pedagogy, Research

10 Design Critiques: bad designs and suggested improvements

This  paper was written as part of my participation in the graduate course Computer Interface Design for Learning at the George Washington University. Having read Donald Norman's book, "The Design of Everyday Things" we were challenged to identify bad designs in our everyday life and suggest improvements. Here are mine. Object 1: School Intercom Control Panel Description […]

Posted by milesmac on May 26th, 2014 | No Comments Posted in Pedagogy

International Teaching Exchange: PD of a different nature

For the 2014 calendar year I am on an international teaching fellowship in New South Wales, Australia. I am teaching high school mathematics in a small rural K-12 school serving a livestock farming area on the edge of the outback. What follows are excerpts from my blog http://teacherexchange.ca that most relate to the professional experiences of […]

Posted by milesmac on May 25th, 2014 | 3 Comments Posted in Pedagogy

Understanding "Performance Support" (Infographic)

This infographic on Performance Support was written as part of my participation in the graduate course Learning Technologies & Organizations at the George Washington University. It summarizes chapter 6 of Beyond E-Learning by M. J. Rosenberg on Learning and Performance in the Context of Work. Click for full-sized image.     For the next couple of […]

Posted by milesmac on October 31st, 2013 | No Comments Posted in Pedagogy, Speed Reads

Multimedia Design for Learning: Selected Articles

This work was done in anticipation of my work in the graduate course Developing Multimedia Materials at the George Washington University. Design-based research: designing a multimedia environment to support language learning Hung, H.-T. (2011). Design-based research: designing a multimedia environment to support language learning. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 48(2), 159-169. Design based research […]

Posted by milesmac on September 23rd, 2013 | No Comments Posted in Pedagogy

Interface Design Considerations for 3D and Augmented Virtual Learning Environments

This research paper was written as part of my participation in the graduate course Computer Interface Design for Learning at the George Washington University. Introduction Emerging technologies broaden the range of tools available for users to communicate, create, and access information. Display devices are no longer limited to computer monitors, projectors, speakers, and printers; the keyboard, […]

Posted by milesmac on July 6th, 2013 | No Comments Posted in #GWETL, Pedagogy

3D Virtual Learning Environments for Distance Education

This research paper was written as part of my participation in the graduate course Critical Issues in Distance Education at the George Washington University. Introduction 3D Virtual worlds are widely used in gaming and offer richly detailed immersive sensory experiences and, in multi-user scenarios, a means of communication with other users. Used for distance education, […]

Posted by milesmac on June 30th, 2013 | No Comments Posted in Pedagogy

Minecraft for #ISTE13, San Antonio

These are the slides from my presentation in the SIGILT Forum: Innovation Hoedown about Minecraft isteminecraft

Posted by milesmac on June 26th, 2013 | 2 Comments Posted in Pedagogy
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