Author Archives: Janet Symmons

Optimizing the Learners’ LMS eLearning Experience

Posted on January 17, 2017 by Janet Symmons

The first eLearning course I enrolled in in the year 2000 was a nightmare because I couldn’t find all the required pieces of the course on the website. Granted, LMS (learning management systems) were in their infancy at that point, … Continue reading →

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A Dissertation can’t be an Eight Hour a Day Job

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Janet Symmons

Before I began my PhD journey, I had a to do list of unrelated things I wanted to complete either before I graduated or shortly thereafter. Looking back on that list as I enter my third year in the program, … Continue reading →

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Toward a New Work-Life Balance

Posted on November 2, 2013 by Janet Symmons

In August I packed everything up and drove across the country to begin my PhD journey.  Starting a life 4000 km from everything I know was fun and challenging. But one of the biggest challenges was finding a new life … Continue reading →

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Solomon Four-Group Design

Posted on October 26, 2013 by Janet Symmons

I was in the midst of reading Creswell’s chapter 10 (experimental designs) when I noticed that he does not describe the Solomon four-group design. In my library of 17 research textbooks, only two describe this between-groups design. Additionally, information on … Continue reading →

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Fantastic Resource of the Week

Posted on October 7, 2013 by Janet Symmons

In one of the first classes attended we briefly talked about the impact factor that some journals have. Commonly known as IF, the impact factor is calculated based on the average number of journal articles that have been cited in … Continue reading →

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Controlling your Digital Tattoo

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Janet Symmons

The term “digital footprint” is misleading. A footprint in the sand is washed away by the waves. It isn’t that simple or quick in the digital world. The term “digital tattoo” is more apt because a tattoo cannot be easily … Continue reading →

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Six Lessons I Learnt from my Master’s Degree

Posted on August 20, 2013 by Janet Symmons

Two years ago I enthusiastically prepared to  plunge into earning a master of education. The commitment was all encompassing as  a part-time student with a full time job. and I knew I’d face time management challenges … surely that was … Continue reading →

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What is Curriculum?

Posted on February 16, 2013 by Janet Symmons

I’ve taken a number of course in my bachelors and masters programs that focus on designing curriculum, but what struck me is the inconsistency definition of curriculum. I’ve heard some college educators define curriculum as their lesson plans. One of … Continue reading →

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Sequencing Curriculum

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Janet Symmons

There are several different approaches one can take to sequencing learning, such as subject expert, general to specific, simple to complex, book, known to unknown, and problem to solution. This post will provide a brief overview of these six sequences … Continue reading →

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Welcoming the First Six Months of 2013

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Janet Symmons

I dislike the hype surrounding resolutions, and fortune telling that occurs this time of year. As a result I tend to stay away from both news and social networks and focus on my six month personal plans. Six months may … Continue reading →

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