Online Learning Radically Simplified

Answers like “iPhone will automatically capitalize the first word in a new sentence. As soon as you type a period followed by a space or press Return to start a new line, the next word you type will automatically be capitalzed.” are simply not true, except under particular conditions, which are not stated.

It was informative, and the repeat questions got the mistakes out of my mind.

Needs to be longer. Needs more questions.

I took this course for two reasons: (1) to hopefully learn some new tricks that would apply to my iPod, and (2) to see more examples of SpacedEd course models.

With respect to (1): some of the tips and tricks were specific to iPhones, which is fine – I knew that might happen. But even so, I kind of expected more earth-shattering tricks, more obscure features. Perhaps they don’t exist, which is not the fault of the course developer. However, it does mean that the course didn’t live up to my content expectations.

With respect to (2): this course provided a nice contrast to the other one I was exploring at the time. The online material is supplemented by a real-life resource (your iPhone), so you can reinforce your head learning with hands-on practice. I suspect that is the component which makes the learning stick in this particular example. Also, it makes me think that SpacedEd should add a final “review” component. Upon completion, you could download a PDF bundle of all the questions and correct answers for reference. But I suppose if they believe in their model, they might argue that you wouldn’t need such a reference, because you’ve internalized everything. I just don’t happen to agree with that.

I think this is a great method of learning. I think the pace was a bit slow, but of course I could have sped it up. How about some kind of survey and tutorial of killer apps?

Just two comments:

It wasn’t clear (to me at least) at the outset that the course is about the latest iPhone model. And some of the answers depend on model. So, a 2G owner like me has to learn to give the 3G answer while remembering the 2G practice.

Use of illustrations, especially photos, would help many learners. The photos might have to be a bit larger than the 2-3 that were in the answer to last question in my course (force close).

Otherwise, the concepts and structure are effective.

great tips. would never have known this.

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This is a very good way to learn ways to do things on the iPhone!

Interesting course but somehow limited regarding the number of questions.

a bit too slow paced.

This is a fun course which gives some nice tips to using your iPhone. It takes a few minutes a day to do. For each question, I would pull out my phone & experiment. It’s a good way to start using your iPhone.

Given the small size of the course, it will not take you up to expert. For that you would need to invest a lot more time & effort. However, this course gets you up & moving on the iPhone & perhaps will lead you to more intensive study of iPhone functions, if that is what you want.

I am not one to read manuals no matter how short they are. The course gave me practical tips that are making me a more competent iPhone user and happier customer. Thanks for putting this together, Duncan. It’s a great way to learn in literally minutes a day.

Great question. I have an older iphone. It is nice to know the changes in in the 3GS phone

On the first question: When I push and hold the “.com” key, it does show the choices of .net, .edu and .org. But as soon as I release the push to select one of them, they all go away!

Too much time between questions and I forget what I have learned and how to use the I-Phone.