Showcase
At Avant Learning we pride ourselves on the broad spectrum of
programs we have developed. Following are some samples of our
work in two categories - ICT Development and Policy, and Online/Distance
Learning. Feel free to explore the links and contact us if you
have questions. Alternatively, you can download
and view these samples.
ICT Development and Policy
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E-learning
Development Gateway - Robert Aucoin was
the advisor and editor for the e-learning section of the
Development Gateway. The Development Gateway Foundation
helps improve people’s lives in developing countries
by building partnerships and information systems that provide
access to knowledge for development. Read an sample article
"Outsourcing
in Distance Learning" published in 2005, or visit
the Development
Gateway Website.
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Technology
Edge Project -
Ining Tracy Chao was the lead instructional designer for
the project, which aims to integrate information technology
competencies into liberal arts curriculum. This research
examined ICT literacy and employability (see the Tech
Edge study published in the Journal of Information Technology
Education) and proposed a discipline-specific approach to
ICT curriculum. Ining also designed several multimedia learning
resources in three pilot courses – French Literature,
Canadian History and Art History. Visit the Tech
Edge project's Website.
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Online
Course Quality - Ining Tracy Chao researched
and implemented a quality review process at Royal Roads University
to ensure the instructional design, web design and course
presentation are effective and conducive to online learning.
View the Quality
Review Report published in Educause Quarterly, Volume
29 Number 3, 2006. (Online
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Headmaster
Management Module in Zimbabwe – Headmasters
in rural Zimbabwe faced challenges with their professional
development. In a fast expanding education system in the
late 80’s and early 90’s, Robert Aucoin was
on the ground as a math teacher and designed a distance-learning
module as a cost-effective, practical method of professional
development. The technology of the day was a print workbook,
cassette tapes, and photographs to address the topic of
non-verbal communication.
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Other
Projects – Over the years Robert Aucoin
and Ining Tracy Chao collaborated with university colleagues,
NGOs and government agencies in various development projects.
Some of these projects are published in books and journals
as reports and case studies. Titles include:
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Online and Distance Learning
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Learning
Management Systems - As an instructional
designer, Ining Tracy Chao has collaborated with and trained
numerous instructors to use Learning Management Systems
such as WebCT and Moodle. She provides instructional design
advice to instructors to implement effective online learning
environments. For example, in a graduate course on Contemporary
Trends in Human Security, Ining incorporated tools for collaborative
writing, produced
a video, and wrote tutorials for a simulation
exercise.
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Storyboard
and Multimedia - Storyboard is an essential
tool for instructional designers to lay out a plan to achieve
the desired learning outcomes. Both Ining Tracy Chao and
Robert Aucoin have conducted needs/content analysis and
authored storyboards in a variety of subject areas for online
delivery. See some samples of the most recent design documents
and storyboards:
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Second
Language Learning - Language Learning has
been Ining Tracy Chao’s passion. Having first-hand
experience as an ESL learner and the knowledge of her mother
tongue Chinese, Ining has used innovative technologies in
several language and culture courses. She introduced asynchronous
voice board (Wimba) in an ESL classroom at the University
of Alberta. See Ining’s article “Hearing
your students voice online” in a newsletter (p.6)
and an evaluation
report published in Education Media International. Ining
also designed e-learning solutions for a Japanese, Chinese
and Spanish classes.
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Training
– Training is crucial in ensuring that our e-learning
solutions are adapted by people who own and run the program.
Ining Tracy Chao and Robert Aucoin have developed and conducted
training workshops with wide ranging e-learning topics included
"Interactivity in Distance Learning", "Project
Management", "Online Teaching with WEBCT",
and "Web Design", “Using Internet Resources
for Teaching”, etc. |
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