{"id":10,"date":"2009-05-15T02:34:03","date_gmt":"2009-05-15T10:34:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/gillespieetec\/?page_id=10"},"modified":"2009-06-21T17:54:49","modified_gmt":"2009-06-22T01:54:49","slug":"communication-tools","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/gillespieetec\/communication-tools\/","title":{"rendered":"Communication Tools"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Self-Reflection for Communication Tools Assignment:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This assignment was challenging because it required a strong understanding of a framework for online learning combined with knowledge of communication tools for the proposed LMS environment. The most difficult task was searching for limitations to the tools that applied to my scenario due to a lack of personal experience using MOODLE with a class. I visited forums within MOODLE (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.moodle.org\">www.moodle.org<\/a>) and &#8220;lurked&#8221; to see what issues teachers were having.\u00a0 In addition, I visited the &#8220;MOODLE blogs&#8221; section of ETEC 565, and practiced blogging. It was noted in the blog forums that it is not clear how to comment on blog postings in MOODLE. It seems MOODLE blog commenting functions more like a wiki, with students being able to enter posts to comment. This may prove to be problematic, but a strong warning about changing original posts and having blog guidelines would help solve some of the issues that may arise. Tracking comments may be time consuming for the students and the teacer because\u00a0blog posts would have to be regularly scrolled and checked for new comments. Generally, communication issues were related to keeping students on task and managing the course threads. Reflecting on this, I included a wiki\u00a0to complement\u00a0the chat activities. After researching the chat function, I thought a wiki would\u00a0help\u00a0younger students retain their chat\u00a0ideas. They could enter topic and edit entries using the knowledge they gained in chat. Also, assigning wiki entries after chat activities may help to keep students on topic during chat.\u00a0As a teacher who has never used MOODLE before, the most valuable\u00a0information I gained from searching the MOODLE forums (in moodle.com and ETEC 565)\u00a0was to link theory with practice: Design your course wisely for effective communication.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Through a review of academic literature, I feel I thoroughly investigated the benefits and limitations of these tools. Interestingly, I felt a sense of familiarity with benefits and limitations due to my experience in the MET program. Issues related to motivation, peer interaction and quality of posts directly relate to the need for a strong learning community. Through MET I have experienced such a community and I have consistently communicated with my peers. I think Anderson&#8217;s (2008) theory of online learning requiring a community of practice engaged in student-student, student-teacher, and student-content interactions is well supported, especially\u00a0considering the teacher and student\u00a0feedback I read in MOODLE. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">This activity definitely forced me to plan my science lessons based on objective outcomes, then carefully select assessment methods that compliment the communication tools. I found it challenging to select communication tools without considering what the objective of the lesson was! I spent time creating an introductory activity, and I believe my communication tools will support the lesson. Finally, I would like to add the challenge of the changing dynamics of communication tools. As educational technology professionals, we must remain &#8220;on top&#8221; of the latest tools, which can be daunting. However, the true challenge is in\u00a0balancing our initial excitement to select tools with effective selection strategies based in e-learning theory. <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Please see my paper, posted directly below. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">R<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">UNNING HEAD: Selection of Communication Tools<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The Selection of Synchronous and Asynchronous Communication Tools for MOODLE<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm -36pt 10pt -18pt; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm -36pt 10pt -18pt; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm -36pt 10pt -18pt; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm -36pt 10pt -18pt; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;\">Erin Gillespie<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm -36pt 10pt -18pt; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;\">SN: 36550077<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>June 19, 2009<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm -36pt 10pt -18pt; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;\">ETEC 565 66B<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin: 4.8pt 0cm 6pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Introduction<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin: 4.8pt 0cm 6pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The Modular Object Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (MOODLE) learning management system (LMS) was selected to enhance a grade four face-to-face classroom environment for the subject of science. The blended learning approach is based on a 50% mix of face-to-face and e-learning in MOODLE, level two of the eMatrix developed by The Manukau Institute of Technology (Kelly, 2007). Level two requires a change in delivery mode where the degree of blended course delivery is between 50%-80% (Kelly, 2007). Thirty percent of the class population are English Language Learners with three years of English immersion education. The class size is currently fifteen students for September, 2009 enrolment. The MOODLE environment will be accessed twice a week in the school\u2019s computer lab as part of the scheduled curriculum, but students will be strongly encouraged to access the class MOODLE outside of classroom hours.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin: 4.8pt 0cm 6pt; text-indent: 36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">The proposed MOODLE\u2019s educational design is founded in social constructivist principles and problem based learning (PBL) in addition to Anderson\u2019s (2008) theory in his <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">Toward a Theory of Online Learning<\/em>. <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0<\/span>Social constructivism argues knowledge and meaning are created from experience and interactions with others. PBL, which I feel complements social constructivism, is an active learning approach where students solve complex, ill-structured problems to stimulate their learning (Kenny, 2007). Students work collaboratively to understand the problem and construct solutions by connecting concepts from other disciples (Kenny, 2007; Lombardi, 2007). <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin: 4.8pt 0cm 6pt; text-indent: 36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\">In <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">Teaching in an Online Learning Context<\/em>, Anderson (2008) references the work of Garrison, Anderson and Archer (2000) to argue an effective online learning community requires a cognitive presence, social presence and teaching presence. Cognitive presence refers to support of critical thinking skills for serious learning to occur (Garrison et al., 2000). Social presence refers to the creation of a supportive environment to facilitate collaboration amongst students (Garrison et al., 2000). Teaching presence refers to building curriculum using activities appropriate to objective, facilitating discourse, assessment and direct instruction (Garrison et al., 2000). <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">I believe the educational design foundations of the proposed MOODLE share the requirement of needing a strong learning community, or knowledge-building community (KBC) as proposed by Scardamalia &amp; Bereiter (1999), in order to support Anderson\u2019s (2008) theory of \u201clearning centered\u201d e-learning. Scardamalia and Bereiter(1994) consider a school as a KBC when members produce knowledge objects to be discussed and tested without judgement and where the role of the student is bothproducing and improving objects. Fundamental to the learning community is the use of technology to provide a facilitative infrastructure (Scardamalia &amp; Bereiter, 1994). Perkins and Paffman (2006) suggest that MOODLE facilitates communication between students, teachers and parents, which strengthened theirlearning community. Discourse helps build learning communities, is essential for a PBL environment, facilitates the development of learners\u2019 though processes and facilitates idea articulation (Anderson, 2008; Kenny, 2007). An LMS can foster community development and its communication tools play an important role (Bates, 2000; Schwier &amp; Dykes, 2007). <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Communication Tools<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">With the goal of building a blended-delivery learning community in mind, the selection of asynchronous and synchronous communication tools has been guided by Chickering and Gamson\u2019s (1987) <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education<\/em>, Chickering and Ehrmann\u2019s<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>(1996) <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">Implementing the Seven Principles: Technology as Lever<\/em> and Bates and Poole\u2019s (2003) SECTIONS framework. The selected communication tools have been framed by Anderson\u2019s (2008) theory of online learning. Analysis of each tool is based on educational application, potential limitations and practical effectiveness. Synchronous communication tools require simultaneous participation between participating members, but asynchronous tools allow for a delay in time (Johnson, 2006). Two asynchronous tools (blog and discussion forums) and a synchronous tool (chat) were selected. I prefer to work with communication tools that are available within the MOODLE LMS due to my current level of familiarity with MOODLE. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">MOODLE Chat<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Chat is a synchronous communication tool within the MOODLE LMS that functions as a text-based, simultaneous conversation. Synchronous chat supports Chickering &amp; Ehrmann\u2019s (1996) principles of student-faculty cooperation, student-student cooperation and utilization of active learning techniques. The advantages of synchronous communication are immediacy, efficiency, convenience, partnership development, planning and mentoring (Murphy &amp; Laferriere, 2007).<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>Synchronous tools engage students in active learning by facilitating peer-to-peer contact, reciprocity and cooperation between students (Chickering &amp; Ehrmann, 1996; Murphy &amp; Laferriere, 2007). Chat functions help students and the teacher develop a social presence as they establish trust in the learning community (Anderson, 2008). Facilitating a teacher presence through chat will me satisfy the <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; color: black; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\">National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS) <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\">requirement of establishing a relationship of approachability and providing an opportunity to model appropriate behaviours and digital responsibility (NETS, 2008). The chat function has been tested and is found to be accessible, reliable and its functionality satisfies the \u201cease of use\u201d requirement of SECTIONS (Bates &amp; Pooles, 2003). A class discussion is possible, as well group or individualdiscussion formats. In addition, chat is available only for members of the course to adhere to the \u201cstudents\u201d requirement in SECTIONS, which stresses technology appropriateness. Students will not be able to chat outside of the learning community to safely learn the technical skill. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">The practical effectiveness of chat is its ability to provide instant feedback from peers in class, to hold discussions in real time withvirtualclass guests or to hold a virtual group meeting (Cooch, 2009). Chat enables students to clarify their ideas and directions as they work through authentic problems together. Chat can help groups remain on-task as they organize their collaboration efforts. MOODLE chat options for the instructor include naming a chat room to clarify the topic, creating an introduction text to facilitate discussion, a \u201cnext chat time\u201d option to select the next open room time, save past sessions option to record conversations and the option to allow students to view past sessions (Cooch, 2009). Chat activities in the science unit are designed for PBL overall, but the introductory activity is focused on the building of trust and community. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Limitations in synchronous communication include lack of comfort with the technology, coherence of chat conversations, posting of unsubstantial comments and boredom with text interface resulting in lowered cognitive and social presence (Cooch, 2009; Garrison et al., 2000; Murphy &amp; Laferrriere, 2007). <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0<\/span>MOODLE chat can be monitored by the instructor, but this demands a great dealof time away from students who may need face-to-face support in the proposed blended environment. To overcome the barriers of unsubstantial commenting and ineffective monitoring, students will be scaffolded to eventually \u201clead\u201d chats. They will also be <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0<\/span>required to post a self-reflective summary of chat discussions, an activity consistent with a PBL environment and the development of student-content interactions (Anderson, 2008; Kenny, 2007). <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">A further challenge of chat relates to students who are English Language Learners (ELL). In an LMS environment, international ELL students preferred asynchronous communication tools (Bates, 2000). <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0<\/span>Synchronous chat may intimidate due to the speed of exchanges and required reading and typing skills. To overcome this barrier, students will be provided with chat topics one week prior to any required chat activity to provide preparation opportunities. ELL students will be closely monitored during the MOODLE classes. ELL students will be encouraged to use word processing skills to cut and paste prepared materials to help build their confidence using chat. Personally, I have used chat and found it to be effective when the discussion topic has been given in advance. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">MOODLE Discussion Forums<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">The major advantage of asynchronous communication tools is they provide time for students to reflect on and engage in complex learning. Discussion forums are a popular asynchronous tool for several reasons. Student collaboration through forums promotes the principle of faculty-student, student-content and student-student contact, the key components of Anderson\u2019s (2008) community of inquiry. In the proposed MOODLE, students know each other, but discussions can facilitate inquiry through discourse to reflect Garrison and Anderson\u2019s (2000) teaching and cognitive presence (Wozniak, 2007). Discussion forums are used for collaboration, to help students negotiate how they will work together (Palloff &amp; Pratt, 2005). It is my opinion that this communication tool satisfies the \u201cteaching and learning\u201d component of Bates &amp; Poole\u2019s (2003) SECTIONS and my discussion forums are designed to support inquiry, collaborative learning and authentic problem solving. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">The initial practical application of discussion forums is in creating a community from the first MOODLE activity, the \u201cicebreaker\u201d. The icebreaker is designed as an introductory activity to welcome students to the environment by asking them to introduce themselves, thus creating a social presence (Garrison, Anderson &amp; Archer, 2000).<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0<\/span>I have successfully posted to this forum to model digital-age learning, as suggested by NETS (2008), and to establish a teacher-presence and personalized tone for the course (Garrison et al., 2000). <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0<\/span>It is suggested by Woziak(2007) that the role of the instructor in influencing student participation in asynchronous activities is essential in promoting student-student interaction. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">MOODLE discussion forum options include \u201csingle simple\u201d discussions (one question for students to answer), \u201cstandard forums\u201d (everyone can start a new topic), \u201cQ &amp; A\u201d (students must answer before they can view replies) and \u201c1-person-1-post\u201d, where students can post one new topic only (Cooch, 2009).<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>Discussions in MOODLE are archived and students can return to threads to review how ideas formulated or to make connections between different concepts. Forum moderation is an available option, and enables instructors to delete posts, reply to posts or edit posts (Cooch, 2009). Future activities will require students to work through issues together in a PBL approach, and I will moderate discussions. Due to MOODLE\u2019s options, I intend to develop a variety of forums, and have groups of students lead discussions in time. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Teacher presence, demands on the teacher\u2019s time, the volume of discussions, lack of valuable contributions and motivation can be limitations to discussion (Anderson, 2004; Bates, 2000; Rourke &amp; Anderson, 2001). Familiarity with MOODLE\u2019s discussion options will help me manage the volume of posts and new threads. My educational design includes modelling discussion forum etiquette and the introduction of student-led discussions. In this design, I satisfy the NETS (2008) requirements of facilitating and inspiring student learning, modelling collaborative knowledge construction and modelling digital responsibility. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Student-led discussions foster cooperation, reciprocity resulting in an enjoyable learning experience among students and engage students in constructive learning (Chickering &amp; Ehrmann, 1996; Rourke &amp; Anderson, 2001). However, Rourke &amp; Anderson (2001) also found peer-led discussions rarely facilitate cognitive dissonance and consequently students are not forced to construct a higher form of reasoning. If this issue arises and students report frustration or a lack of motivation, I will offer challenging yet appropriate directions for discussions as a form of moderation. ELL students who feel intimidated by discussions will be encouraged to prepare posts for selected discussion topics ahead of time. I intend for discussions to take the pressure off of the teacher and provide students with an opportunity \u201ctake charge\u201d in the learning community (Palloff &amp; Pratt, 2005).<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">MOODLE Blog<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Blogs have proven themselves as an effective tool in education for all students, including ELL students (Ferdig &amp; Trammell, 2004; Wu, 2005; Wu, 2006). Blogs function like journals and provide students with a space for self-expression, reflection and creativity (Ferdig &amp; Trammell, 2004; Huffaker, 2005). To satisfy Chickering&amp; Ehrmann\u2019s (1996) principle of utilizing active learning techniques, a blog can be used as a space for individual student reflection, and students can read, follow and comment on the blogs of their peers. As an asynchronous tool, blogs support the principles of respecting diverse talents and ways of learning because students are provided with their own creative space within the learning environment (Chickering &amp; Ehrmann; Huffaker, 2005). In addition, the comment feature on blogs and the ability to subscribe to Real Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds for blogs promote peer feedback and collaborative exchange (Ferdig &amp; Trammell, 2004). <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">The MOODLE blog functions as a reflective space for students in the proposed design. Being asynchronous, it affords students time to compose ideas and make connections. Practical use of the blog function will involve activities focused on reflection of materials by posting comments and personal feedback. MOODLE blogs include \u201ctags\u201d, so students can connect posts or search the posts of others (Cooch, 2009). Practical use of this tool will include searching peers\u2019 blogs for related themes. SECTIONS \u201cease of use\u201d and \u201cteaching and learning\u201d are supported through a \u201cWhat You See Is What You Get\u201d (WYSIWYG) editor in MOODLE, the ability to post images and to post additional references. A finalimportant practical point is the teacher can see student reflections and use the blog to help assess growth in learning. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Limitations to the MOODLE blog are minimal in the proposed environment. Privacy is my main concern because blogs are visible through students\u2019 profiles within MOODLE. MOODLE assigns blogs to the user, not the course, and blogs can be accessed through the student\u2019s profile (Cooch, 2009).<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0<\/span>To overcome this, students will be informed of this limitation and a traditionaljournal can be used if requested. Other concerns include motivating students to post to their blog, providing support for ELL students and establishing blog etiquette. However, with the creation of a strong community and promotion by the teacher through reminders and blog comments, students should feel responsible for maximizing their participation (Palloff &amp; Pratt, 2005). Blog etiquette is a concern, but I will establish proper etiquette and guidelines in the syllabus and model them with my own MOODLE blog. Related to ELL student barriers, blogs use in ELL classrooms has been researched and it has been found that student confidence using and communicating in English increases with blogging (Wu, 2005, 2006). Again, being an asynchronous tool, ELL students could create posts in a word processing program as homework and post to MOODLE at a later date. Finally, the MOODLE LMS can be accessed from home if students need extra time to post. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Conclusion<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">For a community of inquiry to function in a blended learning environment, access to content must be balanced withcommunication and interaction tools (Anderson, 2008). The proposed MOODLE will incorporate asynchronous and synchronous communication tools to provide a balance in instructor, cognitive and social presence through the facilitation of interactions between student-student, student-teacher and student-content. Blogs, discussion forums and chat tools provide the student and the instructor with a variety of communication opportunities within the LMS to construct knowledge in a PBL environment. Previous research has shown an LMS course can facilitate community development and its communication tools play an important role in supporting interactions (Anderson, 2008; Bates, 2000; Kelly, 2007; Schwier &amp; Dykes, 2007). <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\"><br style=\"page-break-before: always; mso-special-character: line-break;\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: 200%; text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">References<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Anderson, T. (2004). Teaching in an online learning context. <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">Theory and practice of online learning, <\/em>273-294. Accessed online 9, June, 2009 <\/span><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cde.athabascau.ca\/online_book\/pdf\/TPOL_book.pdf#page=305\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">http:\/\/www.cde.athabascau.ca\/online_book\/pdf\/TPOL_book.pdf#page=305<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Anderson, T. (2008). Towards a theory of online learning. In: Anderson, T. &amp; Elloumi, F. Theory and Practice of Online Learning. Athabasca Unversity. Accessed Online 9, June, 2009 http:\/\/www.aupress.ca\/books\/120146\/ebook\/14_Anderson_2008_Anderson-Online_Learning.pdf<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Anderson, T. (2008). Teaching in an Online Learning Context. In: Anderson, T. &amp; Elloumi, F. Theory and Practice of Online Learning. Athabasca University. Accessed Online 9, June, 2009 http:\/\/www.aupress.ca\/books\/120146\/ebook\/14_Anderson_2008_Anderson-DeliveryQualitySupport.pdf<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0.2pt 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\">Bates, A. W. (2000). <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">Managing technological change: Strategies for college and university leaders.<\/em>San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Chickering, A. W., &amp; Ehrmann, S. C. (1996). Implementing the seven principles: Technology as lever. <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">American Association for Higher Education Bulletin, 39<\/em>(7), 3-7. Accessed Online 15, May, 2009 from <\/span><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aahea.org\/bulletins\/articles\/sevenprinciples.htm\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">http:\/\/www.aahea.org\/bulletins\/articles\/sevenprinciples.htm<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Chickering, A. W., &amp; Gamson, Z.F. (1987). Seven principles for good practice in undergraduate education. <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">American Association for Higher Education Bulletin, 49<\/em>(2), 3-6. Accessed Online 15, May, 2009 from <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aahea.org\/bulletins\/articles\/sevenprinciples1987.htm\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">http:\/\/www.aahea.org\/bulletins\/articles\/sevenprinciples1987.htm<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Cooch, M. (2009). <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">Moodle 1.9 for teaching 7-14 year olds<\/em>. Birmingham, UK:Packt Publishing<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Ferdig, R. E. &amp; Trammell, K.D. (2004). Content delivery in the \u201cblogosphere\u201d. <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">THE Journal<\/em>, February, 1-6. Accessed Online 11, June, 2009 from http:\/\/thejournal.com\/articles\/2004\/02\/01\/content-delivery-in-the-blogosphere.aspx<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Garrison, D.R., Anderson, T., &amp; Archer, W. (2000). Critical inquiry in a text-based environment: Computer conferencing in higher education. <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">The Internet and Higher Education, 2<\/em>(2-3), 87-105. Accessed Online 9, June, 2009 from <\/span><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/communitiesofinquiry.com\/files\/Critical_Inquiry_model.pdf\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">http:\/\/communitiesofinquiry.com\/files\/Critical_Inquiry_model.pdf<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Hrastinski, S. (2008). Asynchronous and synchronous e-learning. <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">EDUCAUSE Quarterly, 31<\/em>(4). Accessed Online 9, June, 2009 from http:\/\/www.educause.edu\/EDUCAUSE+Quarterly\/EDUCAUSEQuarterlyMagazineVolum\/AsynchronousandSynchronousELea\/163445<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Huffaker, D. (2005). The educated blogger: Using weblogs to promote literacy in the classroom. <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">AACE Journal, 13<\/em>(2), 91-98. <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0<\/span>Accessed Online 15, June, 2009 from http:\/\/firstmonday.org\/htbin\/cgiwrap\/bin\/ojs\/index.php\/fm\/article\/view\/1156\/1076<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Johnson, G. M. (2006). Synchronous and asynchronous text-based CMC in educational contexts: A review of recent research. <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">Tech Trends, 50<\/em>(4). <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0<\/span>doi:<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; color: #000025; line-height: 200%; font-family: &quot;Verdana&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\">10.1007\/s11528-006-0046-9<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0.2pt 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; color: #000025; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\">Kelly, O. (2007). <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0<\/span>Moving to blended delivery in a polytechnic: Shifting the mindset of faculty and institutions. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\">In M. Bullen and D.P. Janes (Eds.), <em><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\">Making the Transition to E-Learning: Strategies and Issues<\/span><\/em> (pp. 33-46). Hershey: Information Science Publishing. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0.2pt 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\">Kenny, R.F. (2007). Using problem-based learning in online courses: A new hope? <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0<\/span>In M. Bullen and D.P. Janes (Eds.), <em><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\">Making the Transition to E-Learning: Strategies and Issues<\/span><\/em> (pp. 243-264). Hershey: Information Science Publishing. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin: 4.8pt 0cm 6pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; color: black; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Lombardi, M.M (2007). Authentic learning for the 21st Century: An overview. <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">Educause Learning Initiative<\/em>, <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">1<\/em>, 1-7 Accessed Online 14, June, 2009 from <\/span><\/span><a title=\"http:\/\/www.educause.edu\/ir\/library\/pdf\/ELI3009.pdf\" href=\"http:\/\/www.educause.edu\/ir\/library\/pdf\/ELI3009.pdf\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; color: #3366bb; line-height: 200%; text-decoration: none; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; text-underline: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">http:\/\/www.educause.edu\/ir\/library\/pdf\/ELI3009.pdf<\/span><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; color: black; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0.2pt 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; color: black; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\">Murphie, E., &amp; Laferriere, T. (2007). Adopting tools for online synchronous communications: issues and strategies.<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\">In M. Bullen and D.P. Janes (Eds.), <em><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\">Making the Transition to E-Learning: Strategies and Issues<\/span><\/em> (pp. 318-334). Hershey: Information Science Publishing. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin: 4.8pt 0cm 6pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; color: black; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers. (2008). Accessed Online 8, May, 2009 from http:\/\/www.iste.org\/Content\/NavigationMenu\/NETS\/ForTeachers\/2008Standards\/NETS_for_Teachers_2008.htm<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin: 4.8pt 0cm 6pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; color: black; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Palloff, R. M., &amp; Pratt, K. (2005). The role and responsibility of the learner in the online classroom. <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">The 19<sup>th<\/sup> annual conference on distance learning and teaching<\/em>. Accessed Online 17, June, 2009 from http:\/\/www.uwex.edu\/disted\/conference\/Resource_library\/proceedings\/03_24.pdf<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin: 4.8pt 0cm 6pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; color: black; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Perkins, M., &amp; Paffman, J. (2006). Using a course management system to improve classroom communication. <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">The Science Teacher, 73<\/em>(7), 33-37. Accessed online 18, May, 2009 from <\/span><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.accessmylibrary.com\/coms2\/summary_0286-29244461_ITM\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff; font-family: Calibri;\">www.accessmylibrary.com\/coms2\/summary_0286-29244461_ITM<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin: 4.8pt 0cm 6pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; color: black; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Rourke, L.,<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>&amp; Anderson, T. (2001). Using peer-teams to lead online discussions. Submission to <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0<\/span>Journal of Interactive Media in Education. <\/em>Accessed Online 9, June, 2009, from http:\/\/www-jime.open.ac.uk\/2001\/rourke-anderson\/rourke-anderson-paper.html<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin: 4.8pt 0cm 6pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; color: black; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Scardamalia, M., &amp; Bereiter, C. (1994). Computer support for knowledge-building communities. <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">The Journal of the Learning Sciences, 3<\/em>(3), 265-283. (510 CCM)<\/span><\/span><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;\"> Custom course materials<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;\"> <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">ETEC 510 <\/em>. Kelowna, B.C: University of British Columbia Okanagan, Bookstore.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0.2pt 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; color: black; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\">Schwier, R. A., &amp; Dykes, M. E. The continuing struggle for community and content in blended technology courses in higher education. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\">In M. Bullen and D.P. Janes (Eds.), <em><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\">Making the Transition to E-Learning: Strategies and Issues<\/span><\/em> (pp. 157-172). Hershey: Information Science Publishing. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0.2pt 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt; line-height: 200%; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; color: black; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\">Wozniak, H. Empowering learners to interact effectively in asynchronous discussion activities. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;\">In M. Bullen and D.P. Janes (Eds.), <em><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\">Making the Transition to E-Learning: Strategies and Issues<\/span><\/em> (pp. 208-224). Hershey: Information Science Publishing. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin: 4.8pt 0cm 6pt; line-height: 200%;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; color: black; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Self-Reflection for Communication Tools Assignment: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This assignment was challenging because it required a strong understanding of a framework for online learning combined with knowledge of communication tools for the proposed LMS environment. The most difficult task was searching for limitations to the tools that applied to my scenario due to a lack of personal [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":605,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/gillespieetec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/gillespieetec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/gillespieetec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/gillespieetec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/605"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/gillespieetec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/gillespieetec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":106,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/gillespieetec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10\/revisions\/106"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/gillespieetec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}