Module 12 Final Course Project: 11 SWS Scheduling and Leave Tutorial

The captivate project embedded in this blog was created in response to a scheduling and leave issue occurring in the 11 Space Warning Squadron (11 SWS) at Schriever Air Force Base. Currently, the 11 SWS Department of Training (DOT) is struggling with scheduling errors due to improper leave requests. Improper leave requests stem from new crew members failing to learn how to access the Shift Tracker resource provided by the DOT, as well as a failure to follow proper leave request procedures.

In an effort to address this issue, I created a tutorial video that walks the new crew members through each step of submitting a leave request. This tutorial was fashioned after the formatting, style, and direct nature of many existing military briefs. It was also important that this tutorial be short enough to fit into a standard in-processing briefing that also encompasses tutorials and PowerPoint slides on medical and personnel information. This importance was expressed to me during my conversation with the Training Section Chief. Therefore, this tutorial is short enough to fit in with the others while still presenting detailed information.

Reflecting on this assignment and this course has left me with some very intriguing and important take-away notions for consideration. The first take-away is that designing TEL initiatives or on-demand learning objects requires careful consideration of the intended audience. In the case of my 11 SWS tutorial, I struggled with the simple nature of the concept in a complex design forum. Wanting to implement more items, such as interactive or quiz elements, did not align with the goals of the organization. Instead, the organization wanted a simple presentation of the information that would fit in a small timeslot. Knowing the presentation had to be simple made me ever more aware of how to properly present the simple information. Many of the new crew members are college graduates who might take offense to an incredibly simple presentation. Therefore, I had to consider how to give my client what they wanted without offending the viewers.

The second take-away comes from this course in general. Prior to this class, I was under the impression that social learning networks were mostly focused in online school settings. However, my opinion on this matter has drastically changed. I now recognize that social learning can happen through many technology platforms. These platforms include YouTube, blogs, Facebook, and many others. Having interacted with all of these technology forums gives me a greater sense of worldwide socialization and learning.

The final take-away I gained from this class was how to instill confidence in my abilities to try new technology related activities. New activities included blogging and using computer programs like Captivate 8. While I still struggle with many of the features in these activities, I feel far more confident than I did at the beginning of the semester. I also know, now, that I do not have to be great or entertaining as a blogger, because the important feature is the information I share. That information could influence one of my readers and enhance their learning. Improving the learning of those I interact with has become the greater goal for my blogging efforts. I think this is a great way to practice my blogging skills while attempting to achieve a worthwhile, socially positive goal.

Overall, I plan on taking all the skills I gained from this course and apply them to my professional and personal life. Continued use of TEL practices will further my understanding on the subject and make me an active participant in the technology enhanced social learning networks across the world.