The online learning idea book

I've been dipping on and off into Patti Shank's new book The Online Learning Idea Book, which claims to contain '95 proven ways to enhance technology-based and blended learning'. On the basis that I had 95 chances to find something new to jutsify my investment in the book, I have persevered with my dipping in and out and have now taken a quick look at all of the ideas on offer. Inspired by the enjoyment I obtain from rating my music tracks in iTunes and the books I read on Amazon, I decided to offer something between one and five stars to each of the ideas, on the basis of how useful they could prove to me. Of course this is purely a personal judgement, based on what I already know about and the type of work I do, so my ratings are very unlikely to be the same as yours. Nevertheless, I thought I'd briefly share with you the 12 ideas which I rated with four stars or more:

1. Learning agreements (submitted by Melane McCuller): a process which allows learners to select their own work plan and objectives, in preference to those supplied by the instructor. Whatever they choose, they commit to this way of working by completing an online Learning Agreement form. McCuller reports that 'those who choose one of the optional plans seem to be more actively involved in their own learning process'. This doesn't surprise me. Novices and more dependent learners may choose the more traditional approach, but the availability of choice to 'do your own thing' should be motivating to all the group.
2. E-portfolios (submitted by David Gibson): These are nothing new and already applied in many educational settings, but I've had no personal experience. E-portfolios allow learners to gather evidence of their achievements as a way of demonstrating their competence. Must try them.
3. Anonymous weekly survey (submitted by Joanna Dunlap): Essentially this is an online feedback form completed by online students each week. The idea is to bring issues and concerns out quickly so they can be acted upon. A nice variant is to have the group provide their own summary of the individual responses.
4. Personal wishes (submitted by Ellen Waterman): Gimmicky perhaps but the idea is that all members of the course team contribute to a 'happy holidays' greeting by contributing their own video messages. Just a nice touch, but not too syrupy please.
5. Chatbots (submitted by Niki Lambropoulos): These are 'computer-generated simulated people that can conduct a conversation with a human being using text or audio'. I like the idea of using these as an engaging way to provide help and information.
6. Working in teams (submitted by Terry Morris): This is a module that helps learners prepare for working together in teams. What's more, it's available free here.
7. Enter, compare, print and discuss (submitted by Patti herself): This is an interaction in which the learner is presented with a scenario, types in their recommended solution and then gets to compare this with an expert answer. They can also print out the two responses to discuss further with their manager or trainer. I like this idea as long as there isn't a built-in assumption that the so-called expert knows best.
8. Gordon Mackenzie-style lecture (submitted by Saul Carliner and based on a presentation format used by someone called Gordon Mackenzie!): This is an exposition in which randomly-selected learners take turns to determine what topic is covered next. A bit more fun than going through the topics in a set order.
9. Before ninety (submitted by Ken Dobrovolny): An ice-breaker exercise in which learners each submit to the instructor a description of something they are determined to do before they are ninety. Learners then have to guess who suggested what. Could be fun and very revealing.
10. Word search (submitted by Karen Hyder): The idea here is to use a word search puzzle in a synchronous online session as an entertaining way of reviewing key concepts covered in the session. Learners use the rectangle mark-up tool to identify the words.
11. Concept maps (submitted by Donald Clark - the American one): Don's idea is to use a concept map (a diagram showing causal links between concepts covered in a course) as an overview of the course content but also as a means of navigation to the individual topic areas. I've already tried this and it works well.
12. Collapsible and movable text layer (submitted by Patti again): This is a solution to a lack of screen real estate, such as when you're showing a large screen shot and don't have room to display the text that describes the graphic. The idea is to make the text available in a pop-window that can be moved to any convenient position.

There you are. If you want more information about these 12 ideas or to find out what the other 93 have to offer (and these may be much more relevant to you than my list), then you'll have to buy the book. And that's only fair.