Josh is a 14-year-old boy diagnosed with special needs for slow processing in math and reading. He enjoys activities like archery and video games online. His goal is a career in the military or police. As an eLearner, Josh would benefit from the flexible pacing of online courses to accommodate his processing needs. Social interactions online could also help improve his engagement and confidence compared to a traditional classroom setting. Tools like blogging and social media allow Josh to process information at his own pace while still collaborating with others, promoting better retention of concepts. In conclusion, Josh's interests and learning style make him an excellent candidate for success using eLearning.

1. Portrait of an Elearner - Josh
Lesson 2 Assignment 5
Characteristics of an eLearner – Write a biography of an eLearner by identifying characteristics from
the lesson and explaining how the collaborative nature of social media could help this person to
achieve his/her goals. Be sure to discuss the past educational experience, goals for the learning
experience, how this eLearner likes to learn, and what this eLearner expects from his/her
instructors. Using your slideshare account from the previous assignment, post the assignment to
slideshare.com as a PowerPoint.

2. Portrait of an Elearner - Josh
Josh is a 14 year old white male student. While generally a very bright boy, He
has been diagnosed as Special Needs for his problems with slowness of math
and reading processing.
He is socially awkward and shy, so his categorization as SN makes his inclusion
into standard public education often embarrassing and uncomfortable for
him.
Josh’s activities include: archery; video gaming with a select group of online
and offline friends and family (including a father who now resides cross
country), and listening to music and watching videos online.
He has aspirations to be in the military and/or then police work.
Josh’s standard day includes waking about noon and to bed about 3 or 4 am.
Josh’s mother works long hours, so he makes most of his own meals. 50% or
more of his communication with his mother is by text or cell phone.

3. Portrait of an Elearner - Josh
Matching the Power point on eLearners to Josh we find the following correlations:
① Ability to Multi-task – Josh lives online with many windows and a cell phone going
② Shorter Attention Span – Josh can go for hours on a game, but minutes on an assigned
reading or collection of math problems.
③ Slower Reading Speed – Lower Reading Accuracy – Josh has been diagnosed as Special Needs
④ Susceptible to Distractions – probably a large element of his Special Needs
⑤ Interactions with Technology and Social Media – Josh lives online
⑥ Visual Learner – matches Josh’s tendencies and hobbies (archery and video games)
⑦ Preference for interactive or networked activities – plays multiplayer games, only connection
via facebook to multiple friends and family.
⑧ Lack of Reflection – Josh is all about now, not yesterday or tomorrow.
As becomes quickly evident, Josh is an ideal candidate for success via eLearning.

4. Portrait of an Elearner - Josh
How can this lead to Josh working toward his goals?
• The adding of positive social interactions online vs. the negative interpersonal interactions a
shy, awkward SN student has to deal with in a classic school setting causes a better attitude
toward school and learning in general.
• The often self or modifiable pacing of online courses allows Josh the flexibility to focus fully
on one or a few classes at a time.
• The reading can be dissected, looked up, discussed with peers and mentors, before he is
challenged to perform on an assessment. This allows for his processing timing and builds his
personal confidence in being able to accomplish the course materials.
• He can “contribute” to the course as he works at his own pace
“Through appropriate course design, we can help learners to pursue their 'selfish interests' of passing the
course, while at the same time adding value to the learning of other students.” Rennie, Frank (2009-01-19). E-
Learning and Social Networking Handbook: Resources for Higher Education (p. 5). Taylor & Francis. Kindle
Edition.
• By using Web 2.0 resources, Josh can improve social interactions as well as his education.

5. Portrait of an Elearner - Josh
Beyond all that, online learning provides Josh excellent tools to promote retention of knowledge.
“Blogging, wikis, e-portfolios and social networks are all excellent tools for allowing learners to
clarify concepts, establish meaningful links and relationships, and test their mental models.
Furthermore, they provide a public forum in which the cumulative process of concept
formation, refinement, application and revision is fully visible to student peers and teachers.
By providing a comprehensive record of how concepts take form through multiple clusters of
knowledge, such media can promote more complex and lasting retention of course ideas among
students.”
Rennie, Frank (2009-01-19). E-Learning and Social Networking Handbook: Resources for Higher
Education (p. 6). Taylor & Francis. Kindle Edition.

6. Portrait of an Elearner - Josh
In conclusion, Josh would be an excellent candidate for success using
eLearning. His lifestyle, abilities, and interests all serve the choice of online
education.
In truth, Josh is a real boy. He has been taking Middle School and High School
classes online for a bit over 2 years now. He has a 3.7 gpa out of 4.0. He has
passed his AIMS state assessment test in Reading and Writing on the first try
with no accomidations. He received an Approaches score in Math, but he
feels (believes) he can pass it next time.
He has explored colleges already, set to enter GCU for his law enforcement
degree. All this after the toughest 4 years of school a parent could imagine. In
some cases, eLearning is a Godsend.