It is funny how we know things about ourselves, but can easily forget them.

I have been very excited, christmas morning excited, to see the Moodle shell. I have never seen one before. Since I have started MET, and this being my first course, I have felt like I am an explorer walking around in the wilderness, looking for my path…..Moodle. I know there are some in this course who know this path well, I am not one of them. By the end of this course, I will be able to say other wise.

I went to the link we were given.

I changed my password and I held my breath as I waited for something amazing to pop up on the screen before me.

When it did, the christmas morning excitement was rushed out by a gust of absolute terror.

I was certain of two things. I had no idea what I was looking at, nor did I know how I was going to use it to create my entrance into the world of websites.

The moment passed. I exhaled. I have looked through the tool kit quickly, getting a sense of what is in it- sorting into two lists. The first , things I already know. The second, things I need to google. Guess which one is longer?

Bottom line is that this terrifying blank Moodle, glaring back at me, daring me to use to its full potential, is why I am here. And I am excited to see this ugly page go through the transformation that I have in mind.

I know there are others in this course in a similar situation as me. And those who aren’t, well, they were at some point. This is my calm.

Stay tuned.

Cheers.

T

Welcome to my blog! In this space I hope to map the start of this adventure into having more control of the technology I use, and eventually, create. Like anything else, I am sure this space will contain highs and lows- hopefully more victories than not.

Here we go.

Both Chickering and Gamson’s Seven Principles and Bates and Pooles SECTION resonated with me in two very distinct manners. The Seven Principles was easy as an educator to relate to when thinking of the type of classroom experience I strive to create. On the reverse side, the questions that SECTION posed struck many of the chords of frustration I have faced independently when facing the overwhelming task of choosing the best technology that should be used. Hopefully within the connections between these two views is where I can find my way.

As far as The Seven Principles are concerned, the three that really jumped out at me were Developing Reciprocity and Cooperation Among Students, Providing Prompt Feedback and the combination of Communicating High Expectations while Respecting Diverse Talents of Students.  As Principles points out, students are able to get more out of their learning when they are able to work in diverse groups and learn from the knowledge that others have collected through experiences and education. Having a strong classroom community is one of the most important things that can help a teacher expand lessons and create authentic discussions. The other three are all connected. Students, especially young ones, need to know what is expected of them and most desire to reach those goals set before them. When students are given high ( but still realistic) expectations and it is paired with prompt feedback and an understanding of their own strengths, most students succeed in meeting the goals set and some surpass them.

While I was reading SECTIONS, as I said many of the questions leaped out at me as questions I should use to help me focus on what I need from the technology I am looking for. However, it was the connections between these documents that solidified what is important to me. The two areas of SECTIONS that stand are S is for students and I is for Interaction and Interactivity. These two areas also support the three main principles that I like as well.

Both developing reciprocity/ cooperation among students and prompt feedback are supported in “I”. On page 99 it states, ” Feedback is considered an important component of interconnection.” It is also stated, ” Technologies differ in how they encourage interaction.”  Both of these sentences really made me stop and think. Since creating a classroom where students have ample opportunities to work together and receive quick feedback, than that is a main quality I should be looking for in the technology I wish to use/create/purchase.

In “S” the point was made on page 84 that students have vast differences when it comes to learning with technology. This is something I absolutely should be mindful of if I am setting high expectations. Will the chosen technology help or hinder my students reach the goals I have set for them? And, does it reach the variety of learning styles and talents that exist in my class?

It is much more clear to me, I have a starting point on how I can begin to asses and use technology to meet what is important to my teaching goals. This is exciting.