The document discusses how to develop eLearning on a small budget using free and inexpensive tools. It describes synchronous tools like Elluminate and GoToMeeting that allow for real-time collaboration, as well as asynchronous tools like Moodle and Joomla that enable independent learning. Free options for audio/video recording, document sharing, and assessment are also presented. The document provides an overview of available open-source and low-cost solutions for eLearning development and implementation.

1. eLearning on a Shoestring Anastasia Trekles Clinical Asst. Professor Purdue University Calumet, Hammond, IN atrekles@purdue.edu

2. Session Objectives Ever wondered how do develop dynamic and meaningful eLearning on a small budget? Today we’ll discuss: How how you can harness the power of Web 2.0 and the “Cloud” for your benefit Inexpensive and FREE solutions for synchronous and asynchronous elearning Places to get tech support and training for you or your learners 3/3/10 2 Trekles - eLearning on a Shoestring

3. Synchronous eLearning Same time, different place meetings and webinars Saves money on travel Great for: Group collaboration Virtual modeling and brainstorming Department meetings Presentations and lectures Software or hardware demonstrations 3/3/10 3 Trekles - eLearning on a Shoestring

4. Synchronous eLearning Tools Elluminate (30-day trial, up to $500 yearly): http://www.elluminate.com LearnCentral (free for non-profits only): http://www.learncentral.com GotoMeeting (30-day trial, $49/monthly): http://www.gotomeeting.com WebEx (30-day trial, $49/monthly): http://www.webex.com Adobe Acrobat Connect (trial available, as low as $45/monthly): http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobatconnectpro/ Second Life (free 3D virtual world): http://www.secondlife.com Google Wave (free): http://wave.google.com 3/3/10 4 Trekles - eLearning on a Shoestring

5. Asynchronous eLearning Different time, different place Great for independent coursework, asynchronous discussion forums Allows for learner tracking and assessment Can replace traditional workshops to save money and time Learner support and resources should be made plentiful to ensure success 3/3/10 5 Trekles - eLearning on a Shoestring

6. Asynchronous eLearning and LMS Platforms Among the many platforms out there, some of the most popular open-source free tools include Moodle and Joomla Moodle (http://www.moodle.org) is primarily a course management tool but has been used by many companies as an LMS; it is easy to use and set up on an MySQL enabled server Joomla (http://www.joomla.org) is more of full-featured content management system and can be used for ecommerce, forums, chat, document management, and LMS with the JoomLearnLMS (http://joomlashowroom.com/Free-Downloads/) extension 3/3/10 6 Trekles - eLearning on a Shoestring

7. Audio/Video Recording and Podcasting Recoding presentations, workshops, and software training provides an excellent tutorial resource for elearners Some businesses are also podcasting events, information about products and services, and more Don’t reinvent the wheel, though – a great deal of great information is available for free at the iTunes podcast directory (http://www.apple.com/itunes) Even more is available at YouTube (http://www.youtube.com) and TeacherTube (http://www.teachertube.com) 3/3/10 7 Trekles - eLearning on a Shoestring

8. Recording and Podcasting Tools Audacity (free, audio-only): http://audacity.sourceforge.net Windows Movie Maker (free with all PCs) iMovie and GarageBand (free with all Macs) TechSmithCamtasia ($299, screen movies) and SnagIt ($50, still screen captures):http://www.techsmith.com Jing (free, screen movies): http://www.jingproject.com Adobe Captivate ($799, lots of features): http://www.adobe.com/products/captivate CamStudio (free, screen movies): http://camstudio.org/ 3/3/10 8 Trekles - eLearning on a Shoestring

9. Staying in Contact and Being Productive Productivity, document sharing, and social networking are becoming more and more important in today’s digital business workflow There are also many fundamental programs for creating elearning materials that indispensible to most instructional designers Traditional products like Microsoft Office can be cost-prohibitive, especially to small companies 3/3/10 9 Trekles - eLearning on a Shoestring

10. Productivity, Collaboration, and Materials Creation Tools – All for FREE! Social networking: Try a Ning (http://www.ning.com) or LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com) group Google (more at http://www.google.com/intl/en/options): Gmail (mail.google.com) Google Docs (docs.google.com) Calendar (calendar.google.com) OpenOffice: Excellent free replacement for MS Office (http://www.openoffice.org) Share your business news and keep in touch: http://www.twitter.com, http://www.skype.com Create HTML and Flash web sites and presentations for free: http://www.wix.com http://www.wikispaces.com http://www.prezi.com Share (and find) presentation slides: http://www.slideshare.net 3/3/10 10 Trekles - eLearning on a Shoestring

11. Assessment How do we assess these tools’ effectiveness? ROI: Free/cheap services and software saves money on hardware and software, but keep track of users; if they’re not happy or not learning, it might still be a bad investment Finding the best tool for the job sometimes takes time, effort, and trial and error Up-front development costs in your time can be high but the benefits can be great 3/3/10 11 Trekles - eLearning on a Shoestring

12. Assessment of eLearning Moodle and Joomla both possess quizzing modules, assignments, SCORM importing, and learner tracking functions just like the “big” commercial LMS tools Hot Potatoes (http://hotpot.uvic.ca) is an excellent free program for SCORM-Compliant quizzing, crosswords and exercises Captivate and Presenter can create SCORM-compliant simulations – great for software training 3/3/10 12 Trekles - eLearning on a Shoestring

13. Potential Pitfalls Sure, you CAN do a lot with a little, but keep in mind… Free tools can become fee-based unexpectedly, or just stop working Support is generally not provided – you get what you pay for Security can be an issue – be judicious about when and where you post Extra features like private or increased storage space can cost 3/3/10 13 Trekles - eLearning on a Shoestring

14. Resources Big list of Web 2.0 services and tools: http://www.go2web20.net/ eLearning on a Shoestring book: http://www.amazon.com/E-Learning-Solutions-Shoestring-Chronically-Professionals/dp/0787977128 7 Steps to Better eLearning: http://www.elearnmag.org/subpage.cfm?section=best_practices&article=35-1 eLearning Guild: http://www.elearningguild.com Instructional Design Tips for Online Learning: http://www.csuchico.edu/tlp/resources/rubric/instructionalDesignTips.pdf 3/3/10 14 Trekles - eLearning on a Shoestring

15. Contact Me! My website: http://education.calumet.purdue.edu/Faculty/trekles My book: http://www.zelda23publishing.com My Slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/andella My email: atrekles@purdue.edu 3/3/10 Trekles - eLearning on a Shoestring 15