The End of Higher Education: Epic2020

Check out these two videos! It is all about the advancements and the implications of the online learning platform for higher education. It also predicts the end of federal subsidies for the exorbitant tuition prices. Tuition has gone up 429% in the last 20 years. I think they are on to something. When I did an industry analysis of higher education, I too began to wonder about the sustainability of an institution dependent on support from a government $16 trillion dollars in debt!

Industry Analysis of Higher Education Presentation

Higher Education: Industry Analysis on Prezi

Digital Higher Ed Content & The Long Tail | Higher Education Management

Sometimes patience is rewarded.


The focus of digital higher education during the previous decade was overwhelmingly on the technology itself – learning management systems, bandwidth, faculty literacy with technology, student technology support, and so forth. But I entered the world of higher education through an interest in the interaction of culture and markets, and for me digital content (or media) is key. The rest? Mere plumbing. Okay, that’s overstating it. But digital content is where people, culture, technology, organizations and markets meet. It’s messy, human and creative. And when you include analytics and social platforms, the potential of rich media to radically improve the quality and economics of higher education is extraordinary.


Now, in 2012, it appears that digital education content is finally getting some attention. 2012 is offering us OER (as well as OER with credentials), new authoring platforms, content-friendly devices (e.g. tablets) and aggressive innovation in the textbook publishing industry.

Read more Here: Digital Higher Ed Content & The Long Tail | Higher Education Management:

Resources | Webinars | Best Practices for Effective Online Curriculum Development

Resources | Webinars | Best Practices for Effective Online Curriculum Development:

Here is a Free Webinar you can register for!  It starts Tuesday June 19, 2012 at 1pm EDT (10am PDT).  Learning House is a Moodle host and online curriculum developer for higher education.

According to the website the topics covered include:

• Building a platform that allows continuous improvement
• Designing programs that meet student outcomes with efficient use of institutional resources
• Combining content, teaching and technology expertise in course development
• Leveraging open education resources
• And more!

I hope to see you in there! :)

Articulate Storyline: A Brand New eLearning Development Tool

Check out the review of the brand new eLearning tool, Articulate Storyline.  It was released May 2nd 2012 and has already received rave reviews.  After reading this article and seeing some of the features I am convinced.  I need it, want it and can't wait to have it!  I love that one push of the publish button makes it available in 3 different formats: Flash, HTML5, and iOS.  The format is made available automatically according to the user's device.

Do you already have Articulate Storyline?  Lucky you!  Here are some free templates for you to use.
Also I found some more links for you if you are wanting some more free tutorials on how to use the Storyline product.

Articulate Storyline Tutorials:

Getting Started with Articulate Storyline
Beginning a New Storyline Project
Inserting and Customizing Slide Content
Inserting and Customizing Media
Working with States, Triggers, and Layers
Inserting and Customizing Screen Recordings
Inserting and Customizing Interactivity
Applying Animations and Slide Transitions
Customizing Your Project Design
Working with Variables
Inserting and Customizing Quiz Slides
Importing Content from Other Sources
Customizing the Storyline Player
Previewing and Publishing Your Project
Helpful Storyline Tools and Options

Communication Tips

3 Secret Weapons For Better Communication, From Professional Actors | Fast Company

Of course the most important part of instructional design and online learning is the way lessons are communicated. Integrating the three fundamental principles of objective, intention, and delivery make communication more effective.  Before outlines are created and syllabi written objectives must be clearly understood in the context of WHY this information is important.  Giving an intention to the message is most important to the adult learner.  Androgogy centers on giving and communicating information in relevant and applicable ways for the adult student. 
Taking "cues" from performers is a wise decision for all educators.

Create a punch out in Photoshop Elements 9

The task of creating a punch out in Photoshop Elements 9 gave me such a headache today.  All I wanted to do was have a rainbow photo with cloud punch outs featuring another picture behind it.  Sometimes I wish Photoshop would just read my mind.  Why can't I just see it in the mind's eye and poof...transferred to digital format.  It would make design a million times faster!  I hope you find this quick tutorial before you pull out all of your hair trying to do the same thing. *smile

I would include steps with pictures, but I wanted to post this immediately before I forget.  Pictures later, I promise.

1. Create a new layer
2. Select the shape tool
3. Draw your shape
4. Simplify the shape layer
5. Select the shape using the quick selection tool
6. Once it is highlighted right-click inside the shape
7. Select "New Layer" and make sure to check the "use previous layer to create clipping mask"
8. Then move your photo into the shape and Viola!

* I like putting inverse shadows on the shapes to give them even more dimension.

Dr. Finn's Retirement Photo

Let me know if this tutorial helped you in the comment section below.