Instructional package for delivering a "Creating a Twitter PLN" workshop

Introduction

This package (PDF; 1.7mb) was created in fulfillment of course requirements for 6401 Instructional Design at George Washington University under the instruction of Prof. Ryan Watkins as part of the Graduate Certificate in Education and Human Development in eLearning. We were challenged to proceed through the instructional design process from beginning to end on a reasonably short learning module. I chose to focus on creating a Twitter-based Professional Learning Network (PLN) thinking that I, and others, may put it to use. The document contains:

  • an analysis of the learning goals with subordinate and entry-level skills,
  • some suggestions on understanding your audience
  • considerations for the learning environment
  • clear statements of learning objectives
  • practice and assessment materials linked to learning outcomes
  • the instructional strategy
  • Student Handbook
  • Instructor's Manual
  • links to some online resources to support instruction

It is my first attempt at this level of instructional design. I would love feedback from anyone who might use it, or instructional designers who have some suggestions.

Creative Commons License
Using Twitter to Create a Professional Learning Network (PLN)Instructional Plan by Miles MacFarlane is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

Goal Analysis

Educators are using social media to create content focused, geographically diverse, and engaging professional learning communities. Twitter enables fast and searchable access to a broadly-skilled range of educators allowing users to interact with leaders and thinkers in their field. This training will equip participants to make connections with a global professional community using Twitter.

Using this tool, participants will be able to engage with colleagues around the world in professional learning on demand. Flexibility is a key component of professional learning networks as participation is not limited or restricted to time or location. Any connected computer or mobile device can link teachers to the collective wisdom and experience of their professional learning network.

Instruction covers four stages in developing a professional learning network

  1. Create a Twitter Account
  2. Connect with content and users
  3. Consume information shared
  4. Contribute / Communicate with others

Participants should already be familiar with basic computer use including keyboard, mouse, launching applications, and browsing the internet. Web-enabled laptop computers will be available for use during training.

 

http://milestomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Creating_a_Twitter_PLN_Workshop_Instructional_Package.pdf


For the next couple of years much of my time will be spent on coursework as I have enrolled in George Washington University's Graduate Certificate in eLearning, the first step toward completing the Masters Degree in Education Technology Leadership. In the spirit of learning in public, I plan to use my blog as a thinking and processing space. I'll use the #GWETL tag here on the blog and the same hashtag when tweets are course related. At the moment, I'm registered in Instructional Design and Applying Educational Media and Technology.

 

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