WSFCA- 08 | WI Dells Distance Education for the Fire Service
WSFCA- 08 | WI Dells
Distance Education
for the Fire Service
WSFCA | March 2008
What is Distance Learning?
• Student/instructor are separated• Interact via computers and/or technology• Modes of delivery:
– Web, videotape, correspondence, video-conf, CD
• Asynchronous/Synchronous
WSFCA | March 2008
What Distance Learning is not.
• Easier for the instructor• Initially Time saving• For uncommitted• Cost saving is in delivery not
development• End all answer• Staff reducing tool
WSFCA | March 2008
Advantages of Distance Learning
• May be Asynchronous– Instructor not present when student is.
• Economy of scale• Can be available 24/7• Can be available outside station• Sharable content• Instructional design support available
WSFCA | March 2008
Brief History
• 1892: UW The term “distance education” • 1906: UW New Media - Record Album• 1906-7: The University of Wisconsin-Extension
founded• 1978 the University of Cincinnati 's Open
Learning Fire Service Program • 1980’s: EMS lectures available from key sites
around Wisconsin• Present: Badger Net/WISC Net
– Schools around the state sharing resources
WSFCA | March 2008
Examples
• EMT audio conferences 1980’s• CD Courses/Simulations – NFA CDs
• NIMS course on line - FEMA
• Pod casts – Firehouse.com
• Web Cast – Fire Engineering
WSFCA | March 2008
Some Department using Distance Ed
• Video Conferencing– Madison Fire– Green Bay Fire– Elk Grove Village, IL– Town of Fisher, IN– Poudre Fire Authority,
Fort Collins, CO– Orange County Fire
Authority, CA– Toledo Department of
Fire and Rescue, OH
• Web Based Ed– Madison Fire– Dane Co. ALS Services– Raleigh Fire
Department, NC– Peoria Fire Department,
AZ– Hall Co. Fire
Department, GA
WSFCA | March 2008
Madison's Experience
• Blackboard– EMT basic refresher
content
– ICS training
– Harassment
• Video Conferencing– Meeting
– Paramedic Education
– Guest Speakers
– Company training
• CD/DVD training– EMS– Fire
• iTrain (Moodle)– EMS– Fire– Information resource– Professional development– Recruit Academy– Community Education– Collaboration/Partners
WSFCA | March 2008
Moodle Course Management System
Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning
Environment • Activities• Roles• Forums/messaging • Quizzing/Surveys • Activities tracking • Grading of coursework • Web-based or blended course delivery • Open source
WSFCA | March 2008
Open Source
• Collaborative group working together
• Community of people/experts
• Community of experts that develop software “give it away for free”.
WSFCA | March 2008
Moodle (iTrain) demonstration
WSFCA- 08 | WI Dells
WSFCA | March 2008
Needs Analysis
• Student Goals/Abilities
• Content
• Philosophy
• Organization– Culture– Resource• Infrastructure• Staff abilities• Support
WSFCA | March 2008
Instructional Design
• Approach– Self– Collaborative– Mix
• Structure– Objectives– Content– Method– Assessment
• Dialogue– Interaction
• Economy of Scale– # of student served
• Support Services– How
WSFCA | March 2008
Secure Track-able Login
WSFCA | March 2008
Content
WSFCA | March 2008
Web Sites
WSFCA | March 2008
Media
WSFCA | March 2008
Glossary
WSFCA | March 2008
Quiz
WSFCA | March 2008
Flash Cards
WSFCA | March 2008
Grades
WSFCA | March 2008
Reports/Tracking
WSFCA | March 2008
Roles
WSFCA | March 2008
Reusable
• Multiple classes
• Review & Update– New info– Student feedback
• Sharable
WSFCA- 08 | WI Dells