Flight Plan
ETEC 565 Flight Plan
My personal flight plan in ETEC 565 will hopefully take me to a destination of wonder and creative bliss.
I have the pleasure of working with an NGO out of Ottawa, Ontario with the mission to train peace operation personnel and prepare them to be deployed into mission. We are a small organization that has reached over 20,000 participants worldwide—but I believe we could do more with the implementation of online learning opportunities.
I am a strong believe and advocate of adult learning, specifically in a constructivist fashion. I believe that we are the experts of our own context and that teaching is the process of unveiling for our learners what already exists within them: the ability to think critically and problem solve. My ultimate goal in this course is to create a tangible tool that can be used by our community of facilitators to connect them to the participants that we serve in an ongoing manner. Currently the downfall of our training and learning opportunities is the timeframe. Budgets and other commitments means that our activities last a maximum of two to three weeks; this means that often the participants are left to their own devices (with of course the occasional facilitator that is able to maintain e-mail contact). By building a structure where this can take place in an constructive and collaborative manner is something of value and a priority for me.
Going from here to there will be a journey. By considering the outline of the course, I have tried to combine it with the trajectory that I would like to take so that I can take this journey with my peers while having my own goal in mind.
My journey begins with exploring the tools that are already in existence. I am not a technological mastermind (although I am 25 so technology does come a little easier to me). I am a problem-solver with an eye for solutions that are accessible and achievable. I believe that tools and strategies should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely (SMART). With this, I am excited to explore tools such as wikis, Moodle, and wordpress as opportunities for our community to connect. I have worked briefly with Moodle, but not to the extent that I am comfortable is building my own. There is an interest in web-based, low over head tools such as wordpress as the accessibility is higher throughout the world. I am sure that there are capabilities that will extend our reach far beyond where we currently stand.
As I have a strong belief in adult learning and constructivism, but am unsure how these concepts are balanced with online learning. Constructivism relies on interaction between learners, but I remain unconvinced that type face is not enough of an interaction. I look forward to discovering interesting and accessible methods of interaction with learners through the use of LMS and social networking.
There are many pitfalls, dangers, and uncontrolled variables with social networking tools. How do we harness these tools while not exposing our learners to the dangers? How do we capitalize on the popularity and wide-reach of these tools? I am excited to explore the simple collaboration tools on the web and the networking functions. As networking is a way to continue the collaborative and active nature of our learning activities, maintaining those connections is crucial to ongoing learning for the participants.
As I continue on this flight path, I would like to explore how assessment for learning takes place. Assessment should always be paired with ongoing feedback, but how does this happen in a relevant and sincere way for the learner when faced with a vast distance? I am interested in how to help our community of facilitators develop their sincere and real persona through distance mediums. Assessment and feedback are only successful when they come from a well-respected source. We have the benefit of being able to make that initial contact and relationship that helps up to become trust mentors and guides. What tools exist to facilitate the assessment for learning?
I appreciate the opportunity to preflect on the course and am looking forward to seeing where the wind takes us!
Here’s to a safe and exhilarating flight!
Kristopher
