This class could really get out of control for me. The more I learn about online learning, the more I find myself on bunny trails to vast other sources of information. In researching the interview assignment, I have become caught up in just following my interviewee and her online information. I plan to post a link to her school web page just for the amazing professional development resources they have made available.
Byron High School professional development
I am going to post this on the web site I am developing for my final project; it will be a great resource for teachers at my school.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Week Three Reflections
In the article "Institutions' use of Instructional Technologies in Online Education" I found some interesting information about a range of types of online programs. Basic programs allow instructors in the same institution to develop coursework independently and use a variety of means for communication with students. Advanced programs use a "systems-based approach" where different instructors in a program follow prescribed methods of communication and course delivery.
It has long been a frustration for me in the coursework I have taken in the Information Media department because all the instructors are autonomous. In fact, I have been told that no instructor is to have any control over how another instructor runs any particular class. This puts the program in the basic rather than the advanced spectrum. One has to relearn how to navigate the system for each class. D2L pages are set up differently for each class. Methods of communication differ in each course. I think a systems-based approach would be more efficient and would lessen the transactional distance that IM students experience when they have to become acquainted with each new instructor in the program.
It has long been a frustration for me in the coursework I have taken in the Information Media department because all the instructors are autonomous. In fact, I have been told that no instructor is to have any control over how another instructor runs any particular class. This puts the program in the basic rather than the advanced spectrum. One has to relearn how to navigate the system for each class. D2L pages are set up differently for each class. Methods of communication differ in each course. I think a systems-based approach would be more efficient and would lessen the transactional distance that IM students experience when they have to become acquainted with each new instructor in the program.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Week Two Discoveries
I must have missed something in class last week, but apparently, we have synchronous meetings only every other week. The even weeks are left for reflection, reading the material and preparing for the next week's discussion.
To that end, I would like to use this space to record my thoughts on trends and issues for online learning K-12.
The top seven trends I see in online learning include the following:
1. Mobile devices such as iPads, android tablets, etc.
2. Course management systems such as Moodle.
3. online instruction in PSEO courses (delivery of instruction)
4. YouTube postings of recorded lessons; think Byron H. S. Math lessons
5. Web 2.0 tools such as Blogs, wikis, etc used for class communication
6. Significant growth in small, rural school districts in use of online education opportunities
7. 21st Century skills and growth in technology literacy
To that end, I would like to use this space to record my thoughts on trends and issues for online learning K-12.
The top seven trends I see in online learning include the following:
1. Mobile devices such as iPads, android tablets, etc.
2. Course management systems such as Moodle.
3. online instruction in PSEO courses (delivery of instruction)
4. YouTube postings of recorded lessons; think Byron H. S. Math lessons
5. Web 2.0 tools such as Blogs, wikis, etc used for class communication
6. Significant growth in small, rural school districts in use of online education opportunities
7. 21st Century skills and growth in technology literacy
Sunday, January 15, 2012
reflections of the first readings
As I am reading about online learning and how it can be made more effective, I am seeing how our class can model aspects of creating effective online learning.
First, we have been assigned to create some space for reflection (this blog).
Second, according to Anderson in "Towards a Theory..., effective online instruction includes a place for student introductions as a means of understanding student prerequisite learning. This has been done in the D2L discussion page. Since I have no experience at all in designing online instruction, I hope to learn the ropes from classmates and class content.
And finally, it is up to me to search and research for ideas as I seek to construct my own learning about online learning and connect it to concepts I have learned previously.
First, we have been assigned to create some space for reflection (this blog).
Second, according to Anderson in "Towards a Theory..., effective online instruction includes a place for student introductions as a means of understanding student prerequisite learning. This has been done in the D2L discussion page. Since I have no experience at all in designing online instruction, I hope to learn the ropes from classmates and class content.
And finally, it is up to me to search and research for ideas as I seek to construct my own learning about online learning and connect it to concepts I have learned previously.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Week One IM 554
Just getting the weekly journal blog set up. This will serve as one facet of developing skills for online learning.
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