Module 1 Reflections – Engaged Learning
- Objectives
- Orient to the online learning environment
- Introduce yourself to the class in a social icebreaker
- Read and discuss a variety of texts dealing with e-learning
- Create a social bookmarking account
- I successfully completed all the learning objectives for this week. There seem to be many experienced teachers in this cohort of students and I hope to benefit from their knowledge. I have already been introduced to an avalanche of tools and techniques that will serve me well.
My first observation as I review the materials and the content map is that as I begin this course I have students beginning their summer semester. I’m wondering how new students to the program are responding to their new learning environment online. As I explore navigation, expectations, readings and activities my students are doing the same within the structure that I have created. I’m wondering how their experience compares to mine? I feel pretty comfortable but I do find myself stumbling around trying to grok the navigation.
Some items that I have written down and hope to follow and incorporate in classes and curriculum include:
- Tips on Reading – the suggestion to selectively read, skim and approach in a non linear fashion in some instances seems to be good advice to pass on to students that may feel overwhelmed with reading assignments.
- Incorporating weekly checklists and surveys also seem like sensible additions.
- Caveat emptor
- Discussion and evaluation of Wikipedia
Module 2 Reflections – Building Learning Communities
Objectives:
- Experiment with an alternate CMS (Moodle)
- Discuss issues related to netiquette and online community
- Expand your Diigo social bookmarking network
I did my rule post today regarding humor. I tried to add citations and links correctly. I will also need to keep up with my journal reflections this week after setting my own bar rather high, at least in quantity.
I feel comfortable in Moodle and hope to pick up more good stuff from fellow students. The first week I reaped many new ideas and resources.
I’ve never had or been involved with a forum conversation in an educational setting going bad. I took an online course in The Ethics of International Relations that came dangerously close when political viewpoints became apparent but everyone backed off before it went off the cliff.
On the other hand, I’ve witnessed some pretty nasty exchanges that have taken place in a social media setting.
The campfire reading, the Thornburg article really resonated with me. Storytelling was a part of every successful class I was ever involved in. (edit; I was able to work the concept of the importance of storytelling as an integral part of creative works into a discussion in class. After a brief stage setting everyone seemed to agree on the importance of storytelling in a creative setting.
I successfully completed the objectives for module 2.
Module 3 Reflections – Activities to Engage Online Learners
Objectives:
- Become a Moodle Teacher
- Craft discussion prompts
- Create a Moodle discussion forum
- Apply and practice online facilitation techniques
- Share Web 2.0 resources using your social bookmarking account
The material here is very interesting, helpful and timely. I will be incorporating many of the ideas and Moodle formatting techniques into a new course I have to design and have running by September 23rd. I will keep my progress and how I’ve incorporated ideas from SU10-962C in that course updated in my reflections.
First up, changing the look and feel by using “Creating a Link” and “Composing a Web page” in ways that are different from my normal approach to setting up Moodle curriculum/materials.
The reading on voice is interesting. Need to reflect on it some. Some of the voices I would be excited to incorporate, some are familiar and some more of challenge on first look.
The dialogue that is taking place in the forums seems to center around some themes no matter what the official topic is. I am guessing that means those issues and topics are ones that we all feel strongly about, wish to learn more about or are concerned about. I see many references to assessments and rubrics in this module.
Regarding incorporating ideas from the course into my current activities at work, I have begun structuring a new course in Moodle and am using some different approaches to change the look and feel of the course. Instead of having everything on the “top” level with explanations, due dates and material links in a modified outline form, I’m trying simple line listings that require a drill down for more info. Not sure how that will work but will be asking the students if they have a preference over the styles of presentation.
Last night in f2f class I tried mixing up assignment format for this week and next weeks module with a group assignment requiring quite a bit of creativity and critical thinking. I told them it was a 4th of July gift.
I think the biggest obstacle for me this week was trying to figure out what my boundaries were. It is my natural reaction to try to step in to resolve difficulties such as the ones we experienced with the yellow group, but I don’t want to be too aggressive or presumptive and jump in too soon, too often or inappropriately.
I was able to complete all the objectives for this module.
Module 4 Reflections – Assignments & Assessments
Objectives:
- Investigate online survey, and quiz making systems
- Discuss assessment in the online classroom
- Collaborate to create online quizzes and surveys
- Experience taking a variety of online quizzes and surveys
Having worked in Moodle for a while, the creation of a Moodle quiz was easy for me. I also created a survey in Moodle using the Feedback module since I hadn’t tried it before. I did not post the survey. I found it similar to creating a Moodle quiz.
Assessments are a weak area for me, I believe. I’d like to learn more about the various options. I’m hoping to take the next course in the E-Learning program, Assessments for E-Learning and finding out about more effective techniques and options.
I’m not a big fan of multiple choice and true or false quizzes or tests. I have one course where I use them extensively as the assessment tool. It’s a course dealing with a many fundamental concepts and definitions that seems appropriate for using quizzes to achieve objectives. Recently, I have been trying to find other solutions to accomplish the mandated assessments.
Module 5 Reflections – Knowledge Seeker
Objectives:
- Acquire the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to become an information fluent online teacher
- Practice search skills using multimedia learning games
- Evaluate the quality of digital materials
- Develop a topic for a personal search project
My first thoughts regarding the activities in this module are concerning search engines and search strategies. I realize that I have grown to depend on Google alone and it was interesting to explore other search sites and see that there are still other viable options. I was aware of most of the search techniques but not the terminology. I’ll definitely be including search engines and search techniques in the courses I teach.
Regarding evaluating websites… wow, that was a trip! I spent quite a bit of time on the Golf Cross site and never felt fully satisfied with the results. I still have my suspicions about that site in spite of the various testaments to its authenticity. I switched over to the aluminum beanie site evaluation to use as my assignment. Web source evaluation is not easy. So much of the material is self referential and requires a suspicious mind. In addition to being hard it’s critically important. The procedures point to how valuable verifiable sources truly are.
Module 6 Reflections – Power Searcher: Theory Into Practice
Objectives:
- Choose a research topic of great personal interest
- Practice purposeful searching
- Critically evaluate web resources
- Create a personalized online search engine
- Reflect on the search process
I chose entertainment media business as a research topic. The search combines the common trade publications plus some entertainment blogs that are not too “hype-y”. I started out with Rollyo as the PSE vehicle but wasn’t happy with the search results. They seemed to work fine for mainstream artists and movies but didn’t return very many hits on more obscure people and terms. I used my own name to test the search engine. With the Rollyo engine it only returned three hits but when I switched to a Eurekster engine it returned over a thousand. Much more thorough results.
The discussions this week regarding self paced learning were thoughtful and diverse. So many different perspectives. It seemed to me that there was more skepticism about the online experience being expressed. In particular I enjoyed the discussions about motivation, critical thinking and time management. I continue to believe that motivation is the great determinating factor in all education but most especially in any form of self pace or self directed education.
Module 7 Reflections – E-Portfolio
Objectives:
- Develop a web based E-Portfolio presentation
- Reflect on the learning that has taken place during this class
- Investigate website or wiki publishing
This has been an interesting week. Many of the artifacts that we are to include in our e-portfolio are ones that I have already created, at least in a draft form. My process, therefore was to find a structure and format that would allow me to upload my materials with a minimum of re-formatting problems. The secondary condition I had was the desire for a format that had a relatilely clean, professional look to its basic templates. Appearance is a major consideration within my fields. It doesn’t have to be fancy but should look professional.
I tried Jimdo and Weebly and found them easy to use, but had formatting problems with my artifacts. Then I tried Google docs/Google Sites and found that to be much better. In the meantime I was also reviewing voluminous links from Helen Barett’s website and followed up on her experiments with WordPress. I have been interested in exploring WordPress for a while now and this was all the impetuous I needed to pull the trigger. I invested several hours figuring out the basics of the process using WordPress and it looks like I will be having hours more in order to do all I want to in this format, but I’m willing to make the effort. I expect to be tearing out what little hair I have left making it work for my particular purposes but I am happy with the look and feel and I think I can make it work in the end.
On reflection I have probably focused too much on the appearance and not enough on the content of the site, but I have to feel comfortable with its look and feel or it will drive me crazy. That’s where I’m at towards the end of Week 7.
Module 8 Reflections – Creating Your Online Learning Environment
Objectives:
- Publish an E-Portfolio
- Engage in a peer review
- Develop awareness of accessibility issues
- Reflect on your personal learning experiences
- Complete and end of course survey (Link sent via e-mail.)
- Speculate on your future as and E-Learner and Online Teacher.
Well, that was quick.
I’ve provided a link for my e-portfolio. It seems e-portfolios suit my nature because they are never finished. I’m still tweaking and of course can’t provide complete Module 8 reflection until I complete all the Module 8 activities.
During this course I have been exposed to new perspectives in education (not at all limited to e-learning), many new tools and resources, and many very experienced and knowledgeable people. Of all the courses I have taken, this might be the one that has provided the most immediate utility. I have already begun using ideas and resources in my classes and curriculum development and will continue to do so.
In no particular order, the following are themes and subjects that have especially tweaked my interest: social bookmarking, e-portfolios, the difference and interaction between process and product, the importance of storytelling to education (duh, why I never saw that connection, I don’t know, but it really resonates with me on a personal level), the importance of website evaluation and search methods, and a laundry list of Web 2.0 tools, resources and techniques.
To be continued….