Selecting communication tools in WebCT was relatively easy since I could just go into build and choose which tools to activate in the course manager. The tools I chose were the voice board, discussion forums and chat rooms. After their activation so they showed up in the left navigation bar, implementing these tools proved to be a bit more of a challenge after I created the specific elements. The problems were not so much in editing the properties of each tool but with organizing them. For instance, in creating the category “Discussion Activity #1” and a sequence of topics underneath, say Group Discussions from Group 1 to Group 5, I thought I would have to start backwards with Group 5 and work towards 1 to have the topics show up in ascending order like one would have to do with discussion message creation. Turns out my backwards thinking was wrong for creating topics. The same thing happened with creation of the chat rooms where the organization completely messed me up. What threw me off with organization was trying to move chat rooms up and down to get them in the right spot. The “Move Selection Above” and “Move Selection Below” options were confusing and it took me a while to figure that out. Other than that issue, setting the properties for the discussion and chat rooms were quite straightforward. I like how there is an option for the discussion forums to be graded and a log option for the chat rooms.

Another tool I had considered for this assignment was Google Docs since it provides asynchronous editing of documents between team members. However, I did not really feel it should be categorized as a communication tool. I tend to associate communication as developing dialogue and conversation, whereas Google Docs is more of a productivity tool rather than a communication tool. Google chat may have been more of a relevant option but I felt that it was important to keep the communicating within Vista, especially for students without much experience with instant messaging.

Step 1
As a non-educator, I have not really had any formal teaching experience so this post will end up being more of a summary of how I apply five standards in NETS. Being a graphic designer, I believe my job requires the ability and the knowledge of informal teaching and learning. I have to know how to communicate information to different audiences whether it is abstract or straightforward. As well, I have to understand the impact of using different types of media to deliver a message such as how communicating on the web or using PowerPoint differs from communicating on print.

In actual workplace situations where colleagues need assistance, I take notice of how people learn and adjust to their learning needs. Instead of giving instructions, I work with the person so that they can figure (creatively, in some instances) out for themselves what to do, so they can ask their own questions and potentially reach their own solutions with the least amount of effort. Other instances of being able to understand and address different learning styles occurs when I am creating materials such as brochures or product labels where I must focus on the end-user. In a field where users and learners are mainly consumers, assessment usually comes in the form of feedback.

In relation to using technology to engage in professional growth and leadership and promote digital citizenship and responsibility, I believe that it is important to understand the functions, advantages and disadvantages of technology before applying it to a learning situation.

Step 2

While all the points in NETS are important, I would say that for this course, it is important for me to learn more about how to design, develop and evaluate authentic learning experience and assessments (#2) as well as engaging in professional growth and leadership (#5). Although it will be nice to experiment with the learning technologies, I think the assignments in this course will help me understand more about the teaching and learning processes involved with using technology. This would help me become more of a Digital Age Teaching Professional rather than just a Digital Age Professional.

*Originally posted in the ETEC 565A 66B Discussion Boards: May 12, 2009, 3:11PM.