Collaborative Training Environment

Collaborative Training Environment

As a part of the Walden University, Distance Learning Master’s Degree class, I am tasked with creating a collaborative training environment for a major corporation. The task involves implementing a workshop to train employees about a new automated staff information system and identifying at least one information technology tool that will facilitate asynchronous sharing of screen captures, documents, and allow ongoing collaboration. Asynchronous means facilitators and learners will be participating in the training at different places and at different times (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2014). This method of instruction allows employees to login to the system at various time during the workday and participate in the training. I found many capable collaboration and information sharing technologies; however, Blackboard Learn and Blackboard Collaborate stand out as premier solutions. Blackboard Learn integrates discussion boards and social learning technologies to support asynchronous ongoing collaboration (Blackboard.com, 2014). Blackboard Learn can now be extended with Blackboard Collaborate which includes various synchronous collaboration tools that could support collaboration of screen captures and documents.

Blackboard Collaborate is specifically designed to support online learning and collaboration in higher education, K-12, professional, corporate, and government environments (Blackboard.com, 2014). Learning outcomes and rubrics to measure learning behaviors within the course are built into the technology (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2014). Blackboard Collaborate is both a telecommunications technology and a learning technology. It allows direct communication between learners and facilitators while offering media rich options for online instruction which includes sharing of verbal and visual symbols, pictures motion pictures, real-time video, and recorded or edited video (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2014). According to Blackboard.com (2014), the goal of Blackboard Collaborate is to assist clients in delivering an “effective learning experience through blended and mobile learning online collaboration tools (p.1).” This is achieved through web conferencing, mobile collaboration, instant messaging, voice authoring, and seamless integration with various course management systems such as Moodle and Saki. Blackboard Collaborate facilitates both asynchronous and synchronous learning. If the facilitator needs to bring the learners together online at the same time, the capability is available; however, classroom sessions can be easily recorded and published as standalone interactive recordings (Blackboard.com, 2014). A unique aspect of this option is the ability to collaborate and learn via mobile applications.

The Masters of Nursing Cancer/Palliative Care distance education students at La Trobe University has reported success with Blackboard Collaborate as a synchronous learning technology (Karasmanis, 2013). Florida Virtual School uses Blackboard technology extensively as its online learning technology and specifically Blackboard Collaborate (Kraschinsky, 2013). Blackboard Collaborate is a solution that can support synchronous or asynchronous collaborative learning within Blackboard Learn as well as other course management systems. With Blackboard Learn and the addition of Blackboard Collaborate, the task of asynchronous sharing of screen captures, documents, and ongoing collaboration is possible while achieving course outcomes and measuring learning behaviors.

References

Blackboard.com. (2014). Online Collaboration Tools That Engage Everyone, Every Time, Everywhere. Retrieved from http://www.blackboard.com/Platforms/Collaborate/Overview.aspx

Blackboard.com. (2014). Products. Retrieved from http://www.blackboard.com/Platforms/Learn/Products/Blackboard-Learn/Features.aspx#collaborate-integration

Karasmanis, S. (2013). Evaluation of virtual classroom technology - Blackboard Collaborate. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/smkarasmanis/ctlc-colloquium-2013

Kraschinsky, S. (2013). The Florida Virtual School Professional Learning Department Wins Blackboard Catalyst Award. Retrieved from http://www.flvs.net/areas/aboutus/NewsArchives/Press%20Releases/PR%202013%20The%20Florida%20Virtual%20School%20Professional%20Learning%20Department%20Wins%20Blackboard%20Catalyst%20Award.pdf

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.