Avant Learning / Robert Aucoin / Ining Tracy Chao

Portfolios

At Avant Learning we pride ourselves on the broad spectrum of programs we have developed. Following are some samples of our work in two categories - ICT Development and Policy, and Online/Distance Learning. Feel free to explore the links and contact us if you have questions.

ICT Development and Policy

/ E-learning Development Gateway: Robert Aucoin was the advisor and editor for the e-learning section of the Development Gateway. The Development Gateway Foundation helps improve people’s lives in developing countries by building partnerships and information systems that provide access to knowledge for development. The Development Gateway is at
/ Technology Edge Project: Ining Tracy Chao was the lead instructional designer for the project, which aims to integrate information technology competencies into liberal arts curriculum. This research examined ICT literacy and employability (see the Tech Edge study published in the Journal of Information Technology Education) and proposed a discipline-specific approach to ICT curriculum. Ining also designed several multimedia learning resources in three pilot courses – French Literature, Canadian History and Art History. The project web site is at
/ Online Course Quality – Ining Tracy Chao researched and implemented a quality review process at RoyalRoadsUniversity to ensure the instructional design, web design and course presentation are effective and conducive to online learning. View the Quality Review Report published in Educause Quarterly, Volume 29 Number 3, 2006. Online at: http://www.educause.edu/apps/eq/eqm06/eqm0635.asp
/ Headmaster Management Module in Zimbabwe – Headmasters in rural Zimbabwe faced challenges with their professional development. In a fast expanding education system in the late 80’s and early 90’s, Robert Aucoin was on the ground as a math teacher and designed a distance-learning module as a cost-effective, practical method of professional development. The technology of the day was a print workbook, cassettes tape, and photographs to address the topic of non-verbal communication.
/ Other Projects – Over the years Robert Aucoin and Ining Tracy Chao collaborated with university colleagues, NGOs and government agencies in various development projects. Some of these projects are published in books and journals as reports and case studies. Titles include:

Partners for Change
Educational Portals
Nothing but Blues
Challenges of Implementing Japanese Multimedia Courseware
Critical Factors for Success in Online Learning

Online and Distance Learning

/ LMS - As an instructional designer, Ining Tracy Chao has collaborated with and trained numerous instructors to use Learning Management Systems such as WebCT and Moodle. She provides instructional design advice to instructors to implement effective online learning environments. For example, in a graduate course on Contemporary Trends in Human Security, Ining incorporated tools for collaborative writing, produced a video, and wrote tutorials for a simulation exercise.
/ Storyboard and Multimedia -Storyboard is an essential tool for instructional designers to lay out a plan to achieve the desired learning outcomes. Both Ining Tracy Chao and Robert Aucoin have conducted needs/content analysis and authored storyboards in a variety of subject areas for online delivery. Our most recent work is a module on“Newly Diagnosed with HIV”. Samples of the storyboard and other finished modules(e.g.“Practicing Physical Therapy in Canada”, “English 12”, “Pain Module”) are available on Avant Learning’s Website.
/ Second Language Learning - Language Learning has been Ining Tracy Chao’s passion. Having first-hand experience as an ESL learner and the knowledge of her mother tongue Chinese, Ining has used innovative technologies in several language and culture courses. She introduced asynchronous voice board (Wimba) in an ESL classroom at the University of Alberta. See Ining’s article “Hearing your students voice online” in a newsletter (p.6) and an evaluation report published in Education Media International. Ining also designed e-learning solutions for a Japanese, Chinese and Spanish classes.
/ Training – Training is crucial in ensuring that our e-learning solutions are adapted by people who own and run the program. Ining Tracy Chao and Robert Aucoin have developed and conducted training workshops with wide ranging e-learning topics included "Interactivity in Distance Learning", "Project Management", "Online Teaching with WEBCT", and "Web Design", “Using Internet Resources for Teaching”, etc.

Contact

For further information or questions, please contact us.

Robert Aucoin

Ining Tracy Chao