Hi everyone,
This is the end of another week . Wow! The days are going by at a faster rate, we have few modules to complete this course. Online learning is a part of distance education, it has been used by a large number of people because it is accessible. Some of the benefits of online learning are: learner can easily interact with the content, the instructor and other learners, learner can ask for help or support during the process of learning. The logistics of any courses taken online is that it must be converted to an online version. One of the factors for choosing instructional techniques especially online learning is the background and experience of the participants. Through the use of introduction, the instructor will know more about the learners, they will tell the instructor a little about themselves and why they are taking the course. With the knowledge of the background of the participants, the instructor will learn how to relate with learners and recognise their needs. Their prior experience will help them to interpret the content of learning.
Another great factor for choosing online learning as a delivery format, is the expertise of the staff and their availability. Expert are involved in the delivery of this format. If the information online is not right, they will lose their credibility and it will be to the detriment of the staff. People will not want to use the medium, if they can not understand it or if it is not of great quality. I appreciate the expertise of this delivery format because of the various forms of instructions and programs.Also, staff are always available to answer any question or render any help.As a program planner, online learning has been found to be cost effective or moderate. Setting it up is where most money will be spent after that, any update will not cost much.Nowadays, online learning is an answer to budget shortfalls.
Types of facilities and equipment as a factor will not affect online learning because everything is electronically done, this is the power of technology. However, in the case of program content, online learning logistics is very easy to understand without any external explanation in some cases. The planning and implementation of the content through the use of technology will give me as a program planner variety of medium for completing all or part of the planning process for example email, chat rooms and bulletin board. Online learning content is wide, it can be audio, video, textbook and discusssion board.
Program outcomes of online learning has been positive and increasing from year to year. In the 90’s the percentage of online learner is low compare to this decade. The content in which the learning takes place for online learning is any place, any where and any time,as long as it is comfortable for the learner. Finally, the use of online as a delivery format has been very useful and easy for me and above all, time is changing and almost everybody is now technologically inclined.I imagine what the world will be like in twenty years time. Enjoy!
Hi everyone,
I have been undergoing a lot of changes in this course , it has really open my eyes to a lot of things. So far ,we have talked about interactive model in program planning, values and beliefs, needs assessment, learning objectives, instructional plans and now marketing. As a program planner, I discovered that I have the most important job to do. According to Caffarella 2002. P.21 under interactive model of program planning marketing is the last stage( the stage that shows result) that will show whether the program design is good or not. Marketing is what brings people to your program and at the same time is what can elevate or demote your service. It is very important.
Taking needs assessment as an example, it is the information from this assessment that will be use in marketing. We will get to know the targeted population , what they want and what they need , these information will be the guide for success marketing. Also, relating marketing to objectives, whether program objectives, learning objectives or outcome objectives . It will still come back to the point that needs assessment is what objectives are based on. Above all, instructional plan and activities will be written with marketing at the back of our mind. Ontario ministry of agriculture, food and rural affairs talked about two major types of marketing, they are social marketing and commercial marketing. Social marketing means selling of ideas with a goal of a long-term relationship, its focuses on the needs of its audience as well as its own. It make program planner to conversant with the current trends .
Commercial marketing is based on the product, price, place, promotion or participation. It makes organization to focus on its own needs and not the audience or individual. Both marketing strategies function differently, for a small business, social marketing will be valuable and commercial marketing will be good for big companies. As a program planner the four major aspects of marketing mentioned in Caffarella 2002 p.321, product, price, place and promotion are vital to the marketing result. I have to know the product, that is understand the program I am responsible for. Putting into consideration cost to participants and travel expenses. Marketing of the location of the program is of high value but it shouldn’t be above the program. Itself. Participation or promotion is also a major aspect of marketing, it is the contribution made by the audience in the program.
Looking through the Guerrilla innovative marketing website http://www.creativeguerillamarketing.com , there were few markaeting examples I found very interesting, for instance using a billboard, this will make it visible for everybody to see. Secondly, running a fake publicity stunt whereby some friends will use a placard reading “ this hairstylist is too nice” and finally using loosing cards(business cards) that restaurant or bar may want to discard.All these examples are good but I believe they must be use appropriately. In Caffarella R.S 2002 p.325, some promotional materials were mentioned such as brochures, online announcements and newsletter .Whatsoever may be the program model, marketing is always a priority. As a program planner, effort will always be made to make the product marketable. Enjoy reading.
