{"id":41,"date":"2011-05-13T13:44:05","date_gmt":"2011-05-13T21:44:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/hwik\/"},"modified":"2011-07-28T12:45:19","modified_gmt":"2011-07-28T18:45:19","slug":"synthesis","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/hwik\/synthesis\/","title":{"rendered":"Synthesis"},"content":{"rendered":"

My Flight Path (A Pr\u00e9cis)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I always start each new course with a mixture of fear and excitement.\u00a0 I knew that this course would provide a steep learning curve for me, which was both inspiring, and tad overwhelming.\u00a0 As I began to set my flight path, several goals emerged.<\/p>\n

The first was my desire to appraise my current assessment practices for online learning.\u00a0 I wanted to look into ways to make my teaching and assessment more authentic, and to include opportunities for peer assessment and more personal reflection.\u00a0 My second goal was to delve into the world of multimedia.\u00a0 I wanted to look for ways to make more apprentice-like activities for my students.\u00a0 While I didn\u2019t end up making multimedia presentations for my practicum course, I did create some for other courses, and have way too many ideas for using these tools in all my online courses. My third goal was to expand my knowledge and gain a much higher level of competency using Moodle.\u00a0 I had taught using this LMS for several years, but knew I was using only a very limited repertoire of the tools available to me.<\/p>\n

In my flight path I stated that while it was not a big priority for me now, I would like to look at social media and the possible implications for my college students.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t think this would be a large part of my learning journey, but in the end it turned out to be one of the greatest discoveries of this course for me.<\/p>\n

Reflection on My<\/strong> eLearning Toolkit Experience<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I really appreciated this hands-on undertaking.\u00a0 It was a great opportunity to meld learning necessary technical skills with pedagogical theory.\u00a0 \u00a0What a great way to build in really authentic learning activities!\u00a0 As I worked through each of the tools, I found my self constantly reflecting about how, if, and why I might use these tools with my students.<\/p>\n

LMS<\/strong> \u2013 This tool helped me to locate and discover resources within Moodle I had never used.\u00a0 I was able to pull many new ideas into my own MET Moodle course, and have even more ideas to use with my students.\u00a0 I will be using the blog feature for my practicum courses, have found an exciting way to use a wiki in my Professional Communications course, I created a lesson for my ETEC 510 course, I learned how to give a variety of feedback for quizzes, discovered the glossary feature (which I\u2019ll be using in several courses), embedded videos, and more.\u00a0 Wow\u2026.so much learning!<\/p>\n

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Web Design & HTML Authoring<\/strong> \u2013 This was a huge, difficult, stressful, tearful, but rewarding experience.\u00a0 While I have only just begun to learn HTML, it was very exciting to break through my mind block and begin to understand the basics of this mystery code.\u00a0 No, I don\u2019t love it, but I\u2019m using it, and that is good.\u00a0 I enjoyed the Web Design component in terms of learning what makes an effective web design, and what is cause for disaster.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

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Synchronous Communication Tools<\/strong> – This was one of the few tools that didn\u2019t overwhelm me.\u00a0 While I don\u2019t use these kinds of tools often, I have used quite a few different ones.\u00a0 During this course (and ETEC 510 which I\u2019m taking now too) I was able to delve into Elluminate and Web Ex while collaborating with peers.\u00a0 I appreciated these, as well as the Wimba tools I\u2019ve used. <\/strong><\/p>\n

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Social Software\/Media<\/strong> \u2013 This toolkit resource was one that started to open my eyes to the potential power of social media.\u00a0 I had no idea there were so many tools out there!\u00a0 I\u2019m a Facebook user, and am looking forward to seeing Google+.\u00a0 Completing this toolkit item before our module on social media was very helpful.\u00a0 It set the stage for some incredible learning during our 4th<\/sup> module. <\/strong><\/p>\n

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Weblogs<\/strong> \u2013 This course provided my first interaction with blogs.\u00a0 It was somewhat challenging to set up my wordpress blog, but after looking through the information in the eToolkit, I found some great examples that gave me new insights into the world of educational blogging.\u00a0 I\u2019ve now subscribed to several, and am afraid I may begin spending more time on the computer than I do with my children! <\/strong><\/p>\n

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Multimedia & Authoring Tools<\/strong> (digital still, audio, video & DVD) \u2013 For me, this was a time consuming section.\u00a0 I\u2019ve done almost no digital creating, so each step of this path took me some time.\u00a0 I was very excited with the results though, so it was time very well spent.\u00a0 I\u2019ve now created several videos to share with my online students, and I love the different affordances created when I shift away from straight text.\u00a0 So exciting!<\/p>\n

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Wikis<\/strong> \u2013 My only experience with wikis prior to this course is one very failed attempt at using one in a course last fall (needless to say, it will be completely made over for this fall!) and accessing Wikipedia as a user (and warning my students not to trust or use them).\u00a0 I happy to say I\u2019ve completely changed my tune and am looking forward to using wikis and teaching my students how to use them.\u00a0 Wow\u2026.complete turn around for me in this area.<\/p>\n

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Accessibility \u2013 <\/strong>I was really happy to see this topic was part of the eLearning toolkit.\u00a0 Accessibility is an issue that has come up at work this past year with my online courses.\u00a0 Removing barriers for students and providing necessary accommodations is essential for online learners today.\u00a0 I loved this section. <\/strong><\/p>\n

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M-Learning<\/strong> \u2013 I have to say, I was so embarrassed when I had to blog about this topic.\u00a0 Yikes\u2026.I think I live in the stone ages.\u00a0 Other than a really old cell phone that I used on rare occasions, I hadn\u2019t experienced using any of these palm held devices (unless you count a calculator, of course!).\u00a0 How many MET students have never texted?\u00a0 I think I\u2019m in the minority.\u00a0 I\u2019ve watched people use all sorts of mobile tools, but it wasn\u2019t until I jumped into this part of the eLearning toolkit that I actually used one myself.\u00a0 I borrowed several devices (iPad, Blackberry, cell phone that actually has texting capabilities, and an iPhone).\u00a0 While I\u2019m not addicted to these little techno wonders, my eyes have been opened to what they can do and how they can connect people with each other and to countless resources. <\/strong><\/p>\n

As I reflect on my experiences, I think back to Chickering and Ehrmann\u2019s (1996) discussion on good practices for active learning.\u00a0 Working through the eLearning toolkit definitely used active learning techniques and respected \u201cdiverse talents and ways of learning\u201d (p. 6).\u00a0 It was definitely a tremendous learning experience for me. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Reflection on My Overall ETEC565 Experience<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Not only have I enjoyed this course, but I have learned so much.\u00a0 Can it get any better than that?\u00a0 This course challenged me\u2026.constantly.\u00a0 It was a lot of work, and much of it was difficult.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t because any one item was unduly arduous, but because most of the course set me on a steep learning curve.<\/p>\n

I was glad I came into this course with some good teaching experience with Moodle, even if it was a fairly basic skills set.\u00a0 This reduced some of the anxiety for me, and allowed me to focus on learning about new activities and resources that I hadn\u2019t previously explored.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been able to spend a lot of time thinking about how to select and evaluate different technology tools.\u00a0 I love Bates\u2019 & Poole\u2019s (2003) SECTIONS framework.\u00a0 It provided me with guidelines for not only selecting what LMS I might want, but then within Moodle, I was much more able to consider how and why what tools might be appropriate for any given learning activity.<\/p>\n

Creating a blog introduced me not only to the world of blogging, but also to the concept of an ePortfolio.\u00a0 I found working through the process of setting up a WordPress blog somewhat challenging, but I leaned on various electronic and human resources to help me problem solve when I got stuck on certain logistics.\u00a0 Having read a few family blogs regularly, I had some idea of what could be done, but actually writing posts and reflecting on my learning turned out to be a new and very insightful journey.\u00a0 I love looking back on my posts.\u00a0 I realize that I really have learned so much!\u00a0 It seems like such a personal way to learn.\u00a0 I\u2019ve never been a journaler, but I now value the reflective process in a new way.\u00a0 The idea of creating an ePortfolio really appeals to me, and I am looking at ways to incorporate it into my teaching practice.\u00a0 It is flexible, reflective, and personal.<\/p>\n

At the beginning of this course I saw that we were going to create a digital story.\u00a0 Anxiety set in immediately.\u00a0 I had no idea what this term met or how I would learn enough to ever create one in such a short timeframe when there was so much other learning going on.\u00a0 In the end, this activity, and the readings leading up to it, really were some of the most eye opening experiences for me in this course.\u00a0 I really hadn\u2019t given much thought to social media, nor to the implications for education.\u00a0 Now I can\u2019t believe I didn\u2019t jump on board this socially tech train before!\u00a0 Creating my own digital story was a powerful experience, and it led to some deep reflecting.\u00a0 My students are social.\u00a0 I am social.\u00a0 Why have I not tapped into this before?<\/p>\n

There is a lot of change needed in our education system, much that will only happen over a great deal of time and effort.\u00a0 But it is so exciting to know that I can make a difference in my students\u2019 learning right now.<\/p>\n

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My Next Steps<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

So what are my next steps?\u00a0 Well, I hope to follow the International Society for Technology in Education\u2019s (2008) NETS guidelines to guide my instructional practice at the College of the Rockies:<\/p>\n

<\/em><\/p>\n

Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity<\/strong> \u2013 I plan to create more authentic online learning experiences for my students that involve more collaboration and creative thinking.\u00a0 This means doing a lot of changing in my current online courses.<\/p>\n

<\/em><\/p>\n

Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments<\/strong> <\/em>\u2013 I will be updating Moodle quizzes to provide more automatic feedback, an will be revamping activities that enable students to contribute to community learning activities in a personalized way.\u00a0 Anderson\u2019s (2008) four attributes of learning have caused me to reflect on my strengths and weaknesses as an instructor.\u00a0 One goal I have is to really focus on the community-centred component, and looking at the social aspects of my online classrooms and learners.\u00a0 I see a lot of my \u201cextra\u201d time (what is that, anyway???) being spent evaluating my current courses and reworking them.\u00a0 I have one fall course that needs a lot of work, so that\u2019s what I\u2019ll be starting as soon as this assignment is posted.<\/p>\n

<\/em><\/p>\n

Model Digital-Age Work and Learning<\/strong> \u2013 I am going to use my digital story in several of my classes, use way more multimedia presentations (created by me!), and then have my students begin to explore new media options to demonstrate their learning.<\/p>\n

Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility<\/strong> \u2013 I will model net etiquette in all my online courses (hopefully not a new thing!) and begin to expand my global cultural awareness of digital communications (something I\u2019m greatly lacking in).\u00a0 I\u2019ll begin by reading blogs and then see where that takes me.<\/p>\n

Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership<\/strong> \u2013 I will continue taking MET courses and being a model and leader in my institution for educational technology.\u00a0 Before fall start up, my colleagues have asked me to share some of my \u201clearning\u201d with them from this semester.\u00a0 I\u2019m excited by their enthusiasm to learn and grow along with me.<\/p>\n

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References:<\/p>\n

Anderson, T. (2008).\u00a0 Towards a theory of online learning. In:\u00a0 T. Anderson & F. Elloumi (Eds.), Theory and Practice of online Learning.<\/em> Edmonton AB:\u00a0 Athabasca University.<\/p>\n

Bates, A.W. & Poole, G. (2003). Chapter 4: A framework for selecting and using technology<\/em>. In Effective Teaching with Technology in Higher Education: Foundations for Success. (pp. 77-105). San Francisco: Jossey Bass Publishers.<\/p>\n

Chickering, A.W. & Ehraman, S.C. (1996).\u00a0 Implementing the seven principles: Technology as lever.\u00a0 American Association for Higher Education Bulletin<\/em>, 49(2), 3-6.\u00a0 Accessed online 10 May 2011 http:\/\/aahea.org\/bulletins\/articles\/ sevenprinciples.htm<\/p>\n

International Society for Technology in Education.\u00a0 (2008).\u00a0 National educational technology standards for teachers.<\/em> Retrieved June 6, 2011 from http:\/\/www.iste.org\/standards\/nets-for-teachers\/nets-for-teachers-2008.aspx<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

My Flight Path (A Pr\u00e9cis) I always start each new course with a mixture of fear and excitement.\u00a0 I knew that this course would provide a steep learning curve for me, which was both inspiring, and tad overwhelming.\u00a0 As I began to set my flight path, several goals emerged. The first was my desire to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7242,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":6,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-41","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/hwik\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/41","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/hwik\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/hwik\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/hwik\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7242"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/hwik\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/hwik\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/41\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":233,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/hwik\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/41\/revisions\/233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/hwik\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}