Running head: ELEARNING IMPORTANCE AND USING SMARTBUILDER

The Importance of Incorporating ELearning in Classrooms

and
An Introduction to SmartBuilder
Lauren Trovarello
Post University

Introduction
This instructional event is intended to bring a school that has yet to embrace technology
into the 21st century. This particular school has one computer in each classroom for the teacher, a
small computer lab that is typically used by sixth through eighth grades, and very limited access
to iPads. While some teachers make their limited technology work, others still have not bought in
on the need for incorporating technology into their lessons. The purpose of this instructional
event is to help those teachers who have not bought in to see the importance on incorporating
ELearning, and show the teachers how they could use the program SmartBuilder to enhance their
lessons or flip their classroom.
The intended audience for this event is the teachers for kindergarten through eighth
grades. To begin the event, a brief introduction to ELearning will be given, followed by a
discussion about the benefits of including ELearning in the classroom. ELearning will be defined
as follows: ELearning is electronic learning. According to elearningnc.gov (n.d.), this type of

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learning uses electronic technology to provide and/or enhance curriculum both within and
outside a traditional classroom. Examples will be given as to what ELearning looks like
including online gaming, modules, and videos to name a few. Benefits discussed will include, but
are not limited to: differentiation, accessibility, time and cost savings, and ease of updating
course materials. An overview of the 5 design techniques SmartBuilder.com states make elearning effective will be given. These include:
1) A learner-centric design that makes sure content is relevant, motivating, and accurate.
2) Provides the ability for intrinsic feedback so learners could see their learning and
performance in terms of real world measures.
3) Offers delayed feedback to have learners reflect on their answers to questions or
situations posed.
4) Including case studies and branching scenarios challenge learners to gather information
in order to made decisions, and allows them to see the results or consequences of
those decisions.
5) Provides motivation so learners can see what they get out of the ELearning.
Finally, teachers involved in this event will sign up for a free SmartBuilder account and
complete an introduction to the program. They will then be walked through how to create a simple
ELearning module. This will include: creating a page, adding text/graphics/videos, create
navigation buttons, and publish/share the module. This will be done as a group so teachers are able
to reach out to each other or the instructor for help as needed.
Analysis
Needs Analysis:
Training is needed in this school because, while there is a lack of wide access to technology,
teachers do not even see the need to incorporate or push to obtain it. Students are taught with
traditional use of textbooks, handouts, and direct instruction. While these methods have been
successful for many years, times have changed and teachers now have the opportunity to teach in a
blended environment and more effectively teach students with various abilities and needs in a way
they could not in the past.

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This instructional event will inform teachers of the benefits of incorporating ELearning into
their classrooms; benefits that will positively impact both the teachers and students. They will learn
all that ELearning encompasses so they are able to incorporate it in a way that is most appropriate
to meet the needs in their individual classrooms, and be given a variety of worthwhile, free websites
to access games and videos, or create modules to enhance lessons. This all will help the teachers
better understand what ELearning is, and how it enhances their teaching. Ultimately, this will help
teachers buy in on incorporating more technology into their lessons or assignments, and provide
them with training on a very useful tool for enhancing their curriculum. With students more plugged
in than ever, incorporating technology and a means to learn through using it in innovative ways is
necessary to maintain student motivation and ensure all students have equal access to their learning.
This event will help close an instructional gap seen between schools with wide and limited
access to technology by helping teachers use the limited technology they have access to
meaningfully. It will also show teachers a new way they could teach, assess, track, and save
time/money that will help keep them motivated as well.
Learner Analysis:
The intended audience for this instructional event is the teachers at La Paloma Academy in
Tucson, Arizona, grades kindergarten through eighth. While all teachers are from diverse
background experiences, they all have a minimum of a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education
from an accredited college or university. Many of the teachers also have a Masters degree in
Education as well. Ages range from 22 to 67. They all have some experience with technology since
each teacher has a school email address and online gradebook they are required to use. Many claim
this is the extent of their interaction with technology in the classroom, though almost all have a
smartphone or tablet which they use personally. All of the teachers have expressed the preference to
learn about new technology or new ways to use current technology through a guided workshop.
They expressed the preference of seeing and hearing about the technology prior to interacting with

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it. During interactions with new technology or software, the teachers prefer to have someone
available to answer questions or show them how to complete certain tasks they encounter
immediately, rather than explore a program on their own. Some of the teachers have extensive
knowledge of technology and would easily embrace ELearning and SmartBuilder. These teachers
would be able to assist in answering questions and showing others how to complete steps in
SmartBuilder.
Environment Analysis:
This instructional event is being designed for La Paloma Academy, a charter school in
Tucson, Arizona. This school encompasses kindergarten through eighth grade. The key stakeholders
in this event are the teachers of all grades. This learning opportunity will allow them to create a
blended or flipped classroom, accommodate and differentiate according to the needs of their
students, stay relevant in their field, and create an online curriculum to make updating easier and
more cost-effective.
Currently, training facilities are limited to the small computer lab which would
accommodate about 20 teachers at a time. This means two sessions would be necessary to
accommodate all 40 teachers within the school. The computer lab has a projector hooked up to a
desktop computer, so all information and websites would be displayed for the learners.
The instructional event will be delivered by an instructor to the group using a projector, as
previously stated. A PowerPoint discussing what ELearning is and the benefits and importance of it
will be presented first in a roughly 20 to 30 minute presentation and discussion. Time will be
allotted for further discussion as needed. The teachers will be able to bring up the PowerPoint
presentation on the computers they are seated at as well if needed, and will be provided with paper
copies. Following the PowerPoint presentation, teachers will follow the step-by-step instructor
prompts to sign up for SmartBuilder. They will see the instructor complete everything in
SmartBuilder from signing up to publishing and sharing the module on the projector screen to

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ensure everyone is able to follow along. As individuals have questions the instructor will pause to
assist, or go over a step if a number of learners are having difficulty. Any tech savvy individuals
will be invited to proceed at faster pace if they wish, but will be asked to hold any questions until
everyone has reached that point. Upon completion of this event, anyone who has additional
questions or concerns relating to any aspect of ELearning or SmartBuilder will be invited to stay
and address these questions or concerns to ensure everyone is on board and on the same page with
both information and processes.
Task Analysis:
Learners will need to learn and master the following tasks:
-Sign up for SmartBuilder creating a new username and password and selecting the free
version.
-Navigate through areas they will find helpful how-to advice.
-Create new pages and name them based on the content of that page.
-Input the appropriate text and images on the appropriate pages using the tools they will
be shown.
-Embed a YouTube video on the appropriate page with the appropriate text.
-Create navigation buttons to navigate to the next or previous pages.
-Publish and share their newly created module.
Situational Analysis:
Challenges include:
-Teachers resisting change.
-Teachers lack of understanding of a new concept/technology.
-Teachers feeling overwhelmed.
-Teachers rejecting a new technology or software due to lack of support.
To ensure this instructional event is effective, the instructor must first ensure they are
clearly and fully communicating the definition, purpose, importance, and benefits of ELearning.
An open discussion after this portion of the session to answer any questions or concerns will help
to resolve some resistance and misunderstandings. Since a number of the teachers have little
experience with technology, and some have little desire to learn, administration will need to
communicate expectations of increased use of technology in the classroom, and the instructor
must be available to be a mentor to assist in incorporating ELearning moving forward. This will

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help with teacher buy in and reduce any feelings of being overwhelmed with fairly major
changes. It will also ensure teachers are using new technology or software in the most effective
way for their classrooms.
Some design constraints exit for this instructional event. The event itself will take place
in either November or December, a time when many teachers have a good portion of their
curriculum set for the coming months. This could make it difficult to get teachers to change how
they are presenting their lessons. Events like this one typically take place on a Wednesday
afternoon, when students still have access to the computer lab to complete homework. The
computer lab will have to be closed to students during this time, which means teachers will have
to ensure they are not assigning any homework where a computer is needed for the dates of this
event. Finally, the computer lab typically has a couple of computers that do not work as
expected, so some teachers who have laptops in their classrooms may need to bring those in the
event that happens. This means the training may be interrupted or delayed a bit for retrieval.
Media/Technology Analysis:
A computer is needed for all aspects of this project, from design to development and
implementation. The internet will be used for research, and to access websites used within the
presentation including SmartBuilder and a variety of helpful sites learners could reference to
explore ELearning activities that could be incorporated into their curriculum. Microsoft
PowerPoint is needed to design, develop, and present this project as the content pertaining to
ELearning itself will be presented via PowerPoint. An account with SmartBuilder will need to be
setup prior to the instructional event for ease of access when presenting that portion of the event.
For the presentation of the event one computer hooked up to a projector will be needed for the
instructor, and one computer for each learner will be needed. Each computer will need access to
the internet to complete the steps in SmartBuilder.
Design
Development Schedule:

ELEARNING IMPORTANCE AND USING SMARTBUILDER

-Analysis phase complete as of July 10, 2016.

-Design phase complete as of July 24, 2016.
-Development phase will begin once the Design phase is complete and both the Design and
Analysis phases can be looked at to gather all appropriate information. At that point a prototype,
course materials, and a review will be put together. This phase will be complete by August 7, 2016.
-Implementation phase will begin at the point the Development phase is complete and
feedback has been reviewed to make any changes needed. Training and implementation tools will
be ready and in place, observations will be made during the training. This phase will be complete by
August 14, 2016.
-Evaluation phase will occur once the Implementation phase is complete. Feedback will be
reviewed as well as learner behavior and awareness during the instructional event, and
knowledge/results will be assessed during and after the event. This phase will be complete by
August 21, 2016.
In each step of this ADDIE process, information and feedback influence the next step. Thus,
after each step is complete, a review of these things will be done to accurately and effectively move
into the next step. In the real world application of this instructional event, securing a location,
getting word out of the event, and setting up for the event would take place before the
Implementation phase.
Course Learning Objectives:
Terminal Objective: Teachers K-8 at a La Paloma Academy will be able to create a basic
learning module in SmartBuilder.
Enabling Objective: Teachers K-8 at La Paloma Academy will be able to use SmartBuilder to
enhance lessons, and flip or differentiate their classroom learning environment.
1) After completing the PowerPoint portion of the instructional event pertaining to ELearning
itself, teachers K-8 at La Paloma Academy should be able to identify 4 of the 6 benefits
presented of incorporating ELearning into their classrooms.
Objective Domain: Cognitive
Blooms Taxonomy: Remember/Understand/Analyze

ELEARNING IMPORTANCE AND USING SMARTBUILDER

*Audience- K-8 teachers at La Paloma Academy.

*Behavior- Identify benefits of ELearning.
*Condition- After completing PowerPoint portion of the Instructional event.
*Degree- Correctly identify 4 of the 6 benefits presented.
2) After completing the PowerPoint portion of the instructional event pertaining to ELearning
itself, teachers K-8 at La Paloma Academy should be able to identify 5 design factors to consider
when creating an ELearning module.
Objective Domain: Cognitive
Blooms Taxonomy: Remember/Understand/Analyze
*Audience- K-8 teachers at La Paloma Academy.
*Behavior- Identify design factors to consider when creating an ELearning module.
*Condition- After completing PowerPoint portion of the Instructional event.
*Degree- Correctly identify 5 design factors to consider.
3) After completing the SmartBuilder training, teachers K-8 at La Paloma Academy should be
able to create a simple learning module including text, images, and video in SmartBuilder.
Objective Domain: Psychomotor
Blooms Taxonomy: Apply/Create
*Audience- K-8 teachers at La Paloma Academy.
*Behavior- Create a simple learning module in SmartBuilder.
*Condition- After completing the SmartBuilder training.
*Degree- Include text, images, and video in a SmartBuilder module.
4) After completing the SmartBuilder training, teachers K-8 at La Paloma Academy should be
able to correctly publish, share and post on a website their SmartBuilder module.
Objective Domain: Psychomotor
Blooms Taxonomy: Apply
*Audience- K-8 teachers at La Paloma Academy.
*Behavior- Publish, share and post on a website their SmartBuilder module.
*Condition- After completing the SmartBuilder training.
*Degree- Correctly publish, share and post on a website their SmartBuilder module.
5) After completing the instructional event, teachers K-8 at La Paloma Academy should be able
to create and share a fully functioning module in SmartBuilder for their own classroom use using
the design tips provided during training.
Objective Domain: Cognitive/Psychomotor
Blooms Taxonomy: Remember/Understand/Apply/Analyze/Evaluate/Create
*Audience- K-8 teachers at La Paloma Academy.
*Behavior- Create and share a module in SmartBuilder for their own classroom use.
*Condition- After completing the instructional event.
*Degree- Create and share a fully functioning module in SmartBuilder.

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Lesson Structure:
This instructional event will begin with a PowerPoint pertaining to ELearning, what it is, the
importance and benefits of including it in the classroom, and design tips to ensure modules created
by learners in the future are relevant, easy to follow, and appealing. Starting with what ELearning is
will clarify any confusion or pre-conceived notions about ELearning itself. This will not only define
ELearning, but also give examples of what constitutes ELearning: games, modules, research online,
and videos to name a few. Moving, then, to the importance and benefits of incorporating ELearning
into the classroom is important because many of the teachers at La Paloma Academy are not on
board with incorporating technology into their classrooms. This will show them what the
incorporation of ELearning could do for both the teachers and the students. By specifically pointing
out that this will give teachers the ability to be more flexible, save money on lesson supplies,
innovate, customize, and improve productivity and efficiency (Lips, 2010, para 17-21), more
teachers will likely be open to the idea of ELearning. Once teachers have an understanding in these
areas, the instructional event will provide some design tips for teachers to keep in mind when
designing their own modules in the future. This will ensure their modules are effective and not over
or underwhelming to the students. Teachers will be able to modify these design tips as is
appropriate to the level and needs of their students, as will also be discussed.
The lesson will then move into the group following along with the instructor to sign up for a
free SmartBuilder account, navigate through the important buttons they will use, then create a
module with content, images, and video as provided by the instructor, then create navigation
buttons. Each step of this process the instructor will be demonstrating the tasks on the projected
website for teachers to follow along. This is important because it ensures the teachers are able to see
exactly where to click to create a new page, add text, images, or video, and they do not have to
worry about finding content, images, or video as those will be provided for them. The teachers will

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be able to focus on the tasks of creating the basic module rather than coming up with information
for the module in this case. Teachers will also follow along to publish, share, and post the module
on their personal websites so they can give students, parents, and other teachers access to their
creations. Finally, teachers will follow along to navigate through the how to section of the
SmartBuilder website. This will help teachers in the future when they create their own modules
because they will know where to find answers to the new tasks they may have questions about or
want to explore.
Activities:
Learners will listen to and discuss information reviewed during the PowerPoint portion of
this instructional event regarding the definition and benefits of ELearning, and design tips.
Discussion will help learners feel more comfortable about the topic, keep them engaged, and clarify
any questions or misconceptions before moving into a more complex activity. Through discussion,
learners will be more likely to retain the new knowledge and be able to use that knowledge to make
their own creations in the future.
Learners will navigate through SmartBuilder and create a module with text, images, and
video provided, as well as publish, share, and post this module to their individual websites. This
will occur as guided by the instructor to ensure learners do not get frustrated and discouraged with
this technology, and will keep them engaged. Here they are practicing the newly learned skills of
designing ELearning as was discussed in the PowerPoint portion.
Learners will finally, on their own and outside of this instructional event, create an
ELearning module in SmartBuilder to use in their respective classrooms. They will apply the
knowledge and skills learned during the entire instructional event to create an effective, complete
module to be used by students in their classrooms. Learners will be given 3 weeks to complete this
module, and will have access to individuals who are proficient in SmartBuilder to help them in any
areas they need, as well as have access to the how to area of SmartBuilder to find videos and tips on

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their own. This will move learners forward in using this technology rather than simply sitting
through a professional development and never using the skills or knowledge imparted.
Assessment:
The teachers will show their understanding of what ELearning is, the importance and
benefits of incorporating it in the classroom, and design strategies through informal discussion
that will take place during the presentation. In this time they will be encouraged to ask questions
and share ideas, which will allow the instructor to assess understanding. Discussion will also take
place during the building of the SmartBuilder module to assess their understanding of
SmartBuilder and the purpose of modules. These are formative assessments.
The first summative assessment will be in reviewing the SmartBuilder module they create
during the instructional event. Since the teachers are all creating the same module with the same
content, videos, images, and navigation, reviewing these modules will show their mastery of the
tools shown. This assessment will be implemented in their posting the module to their websites,
and emailing the shared link to the instructor. This will show that they also were able to properly
publish, share, and post their module.
The second Summative assessment will be in reviewing and evaluating the SmartBuilder
module they create, publish, and share for their own classroom. This will show the instructor and
Administrators that each learner remembers and understands their knew knowledge, and is able
to apply, analyze, evaluate, and create a product that will move their classroom into the 21st
century and allow their students to have another means to access their own knowledge.
As stated in the Teachers Guide to Performance-Based Learning and Assessment by
Hibbard, Van Wagenen, Lewbel, Waterbury-Wyatt, Shaw, Pelletier, Larkins, O'Donnell Dooling,
Elia, Palma, Maier, Johnson, Honan, McKeon Nelson and Wislocki (1996), In the act of
learning, people obtain content knowledge, acquire skills, and develop work habitsand practice
the application of all three to real world situations. Performance-based learning and assessment
represent a set of strategies for the acquisition and application of knowledge, skills, and work

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habits through the performance of tasks that are meaningful and engaging to students (p. 1).
Granted this research is not new, groundbreaking research, it is a base that holds true today. This
is how the assessments in this instructional event prove effective because the learners are
obtaining knowledge and skills and practicing them in a real world situation.
Implementation
Pilot Testing
The trainer will test this design along with members of Administration and a couple of
faculty members at different levels of ability with technology. It will be set up in the computer
lab, where the training itself will take place, so conditions match as closely as possible to the
conditions in the actual training. The training will be delivered using a computer hooked up to a
projector for everyone present to see. Screenshots will also be provided to learners as an added
visual aid. Learners will be sitting at a computer and have displayed on their screens exactly
what is displayed on the projector, so everyone is participating real time. The creator of the
project or another qualified individual will deliver the training. To be eligible to deliver this
training one must have proven skills and knowledge with ELearning and SmartBuilder. The
trainer must be able to anticipate and answer the questions learners may have. Trainers who did
not create the design will undergo a training at least a month prior the scheduled training event in
the computer lab to ensure they are up to speed on the content and skills and able to use all
equipment necessary. The trainers will undergo and complete tasks within the same training
being presented to learners. This will show if they truly possess the knowledge and skills
necessary to train in this area.
In the computer lab all computers must be turned on and have internet access, a
keyboard, and a mouse. A packet of screenshots will be provided, and learners will be asked to
bring a writing utensil to take notes as needed. The trainer will need access to a computer, a

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projector, and the internet. Prior to the session the computer lab will have to be reserved, and the
computer tech will be on hand to assist with any computer related troubles.
Evaluation
The training session will be evaluated according to Kirkpatricks evaluation model. Level
1, learner reaction, will involve feedback forms given at the end of the training for learners to fill
out. They will rate the training on a scale of 1(dissatisfied) to 5(highly satisfied). They will also
have the ability to provide written feedback/suggestions. Level 2, learning, will be performance
based, learners will have created a module in SmartBuilder following the guided steps discussed
in the training. Level 3, training transfer, will be determined two to five weeks after training after
teachers submit a unique module to be used by students in their classroom. Level 4,
organizational impact, will be determined at least three months post training and looked at again
after the end of the school year to see if teachers are noticing improvement in students access
and understanding of content areas.
Summary
This project provides teachers at La Paloma Academy in Tucson, AZ, with an overview
and basic understanding of ELearning basics. They will then learn how to use a program called
SmartBuilder to eventually create a learning module to be used in their classrooms. The ultimate
goal is to provide teachers a cost effective way to offer a variety of learning access for students
in and out of their classrooms. Teachers will be able to use the same modules year after year,
only changing little bits of info to keep up with the times. In the end, the goal is to have all
teachers incorporating some learning modules, online games, and other ELearning into their
classroom to make learning more engaging, accessible, and differentiated so all students will
benefit equally, and teachers will have more free time after the initial module building phase to
focus on other aspects of their teaching, or on having a life outside of school!

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Resources
Bloom's taxonomy. (n.d.). Retrieved on July 23, 2016 from https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/
guides-sub-pages/blooms-taxonomy/.
Elearningnc.gov (n. d.). What is e-learning? Retrieved July 7, 2016
from http://www.elearningnc.gov/about_elearning/what_is_elearning.
K. M. Hibbard, L. Van Wagenen, S. Lewbel, S. Waterbury-Wyatt, S. Shaw, K. Pelletier, B.
Larkins, J. O'Donnell Dooling, E. Elia, S. Palma, J. Maier, D. Johnson, M. Honan, D.
McKeon Nelson and J. A. Wislocki. (1996). Teachers Guide to Performance-Based
Learning and Assessment. Retrieved on July 23, 2016 from
http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/196021/chapters/What_is_PerformanceBased_Learning_and_Assessment,_and_Why_is_it_Important%C2%A2.aspx.
Larson, M. B. (2014). Streamlined ID: A practical guide to instructional design. New York:
Routledge.
Lips, D. (2010). How online learning is revolutionizing k-12 education and
benefiting students. Retrieved July 20, 2016 from
http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2010/01/how-online-learningis-revolutionizing-k12-education-and-benefiting-students.
SmartBuilder. (n.d.). What is effective e-learning. Retrieved July 7, 2016,
from http://www.smartbuilder.com/services/what-is-effective-elearning.