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Learning Styles

Neil Fleming developed the VARK system based on his research on learning style and personality theory. You can take the VARK yourself by clicking here. Notice the Study Sheets which offer study tips for each style. These study sheets are the power of the VARK system over other learning styles models. Use of the VARK system can aid in the creation of effective content for your course sites to reach multiple learning styles. Keep in mind that you will normally design in your own learning style innately. Awareness of other learning styles is critical for achieving academic excellence.

Presentation: Learning Styles and Learning Objects: Digital Content without Reinventing the Wheel [TLT Group Webinar, 2006]
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Learning Objects and Interactive Content

Ready-to-Use Content Sources for Educators: This presentation covered a variety of sources for good, faculty-developed interactive content. Good sources can be found by following the link below. I highly recommend MIT Open Courseware and MERLOT.

A Sampling of selected learning objects
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Distance Education

"Using Audio Lectures Online" at Hybridization of Courses Conference, Lawrence Technological University, March 11, 2005. View Presentation in PowerPoint here

Discussion Board Etiquette for Online Instruction :: guidelines for students includes:

Writing postings and replies when you are not upset about a topic or write them in Word or Notepad and wait a day before posting to make sure they are not accusatory in nature
Don't use all CAPS in your postings. Capital letters are the equivalent of shouting.
Make sure your postings add valuable information and that you support your statements. "I agree" or "I disagree" are not sufficient unless you support your reasons.

"Delivering Learning Online" at Michigan Blackboard Users' Group MiBug Conference.

Roundtable Presenter at Who's Who in Jesuit Education?, Jesuit IT Conference, Marquette University, May 4, 2004.

"Delivering Learning Online at University of Detroit Mercy", Jesuitnet Connections, December 2003.

TLT Group Guest Lecturer for Webinar on Learning Styles, Learning Objects and Presentations, 2005-2006.

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Best Practice: Using PDF to post files in course sites

Using a common file format that does not require special software or software that is not readily available will make your course sites much more user friendly. Use of the PDF format allows you to preserve ownership of your content as well as retain the original format. In addition, persons accessing your content will not require any specialized software other than an Adobe Reader [download free here]. Most computers already have the Reader installed now.

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APA Writing Style

APA (American Psychological Association) and MLA (Modern Language Association) are two very common styles, depending on your academic discipline. You will need to find out which you are required to use. Also, when writing for publication, be sure to find out which style and other requirements are needed for publishing with the journal.

MLA Citing Information from UDM Libraries	This site also gives a lot of information regarding formulating topics for research and other guides in research. Check out the links on the left side of these pages!
APA Citing Information from UDM Libraries
KnightCite :: a sure fire way for formatting your citations, using established forms to fill in your data. Copy and paste to your document in either MLA or APA formats. This link points to the APA page, but you can switch to the MLA or Chicago Style page at the site.
APA Tutor is a site that is designed to help students who are new to using the APA Publication Guide.
APA Template Download for Word - this template will create styles in Word that match the requirements for APA. Styles for title, byline, headings, references, running head, long quote indent, and other required formatting for APA 5th Edition. When downloading, make sure to follow the steps for the version of Word on your computer. You will find the download link in the section labelled "Download the APA Template". You can find the version of Word on your computer by launching Word then clicking on ABOUT from the HELP menu.

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Healthcare Informatics

Swart, Sarah L. Lead Presenter at 2nd Biennial Distance Education Conference for Nursing [University of Nebraska Medical Center]. Copresenters: Bonnie Korn and Sarah Halter, both of the College of Health Professions, University of Detroit Mercy.

Swart, Sarah L. Knowledge Management in Healthcare was published by Association of Academic Health Centers Learning Objects Initiative. The learning object presents a scavenger hunt activity that is internet-based.

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Adult Education Practices

Dialogue Education: books by Jane Vella

21st Century Teaching Practices at Focus:Hope's Instructor Development Day, June 2005.

Contributor to published book: Engaging the Online Learner: Activities for Creative Instruction: Jossey-Bass Wiley & Sons Publisher, 2003. Contribution: Chapter 5: Scavenger Hunt.

Continuing Education courses presented at American Dental Hygienists Association, June 2008:

Learning and Teaching Styles: Getting to Know the Real You! [link]

Backward Design from the Learning Outcome: Taxonomies to make Learning Work [link]

Note: these two courses are based on continuing education courses taught online in the Institute for Dental Advanced Continuing Education at University of Detroit Mercy [registration site]

ED102: Learning Styles and Pedagogical Principles
ED103: Applied Pedagogy and Unit Design
ED104: Instructional Design Strategies

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Library and Information Science

Guest Lecturer: Special Libraries Course at Wayne State University School of Library and Information Science.

Guest Lecturer: ASIST (American Society for Information Science and Technology) Student Chapter, March 2005: "A Library Career in Instructional Technology".

"Blended Learning: Using Flash and Online Audio to Deliver Lectures" at Webcast event, Learning Times Network, Blended Librarians SIG, April 2005.

Conference Session Facilitator of 3-person panel, Jesuit IT-Ed Tech Conference, May 2005: TEACH Act Implementation.

Article interviewing Sarah Swart: "Small Library Big Service", Online Magazine, July 2000. View article

"Marketing My Corporate Library on the Web", by Sarah L Swart: MLS Marketing Library Services Journal, October 2000. View article
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