A bit about myself: I’ve worked as a journalist and more recently as a librarian, the latter mostly in postsecondary libraries in Canada, the U.S. and the Middle East. Recently I stepped outside libraryland to work a contract as a college curriculum developer.
My goals for this course are to build my knowledge of how to use diverse learning technologies to foster active learning – and social learning, too. I see this involving a broad-as-possible range of current and emerging technologies – by no means a comprehensive list, but a representative one.
What I want to learn about learning management systems: I’ve already used a few of the best-known ones, so I’d like to go further and find out (a) what are some of the emerging directions in LMSes and (b) how can LMSes be used optimally (e.g., beyond course content + discussion boards). Christie & Jurado (2009) found that the extent to which teachers employ all the features of LMSes is low, indicating that the capabilities and applications of these platforms remain somewhat obscure to most users.
What I want to learn about social software: again, I’m not a “novice professional” in this area, being familiar with some standard social software programs, so here the focus would be (a) ways to leverage them as learning technologies and (b) some SS platforms I may not have considered. Selwyn & Grant (2009) found gaps in current understanding of social software use in educational contexts and a corresponding need for robust empirical investigation.
What I’d like to learn about multimedia: I’d like to step back a moment and examine how tools like Flash are being used to facilitate online learning, e.g., the range of practical applications. Also, are there new tools or approaches involving, say, advanced video or imaging? While multimedia isn’t always associated with active and social learning, particularly in the classroom, some have written about its potential (Schrand, 2008; Neo & Neo, 2008).
References
Christie, M., & Jurado, R. (2009). Barriers to innovation in online pedagogy. European Journal of Engineering Education, 34(3), 273-279.
Neo, M., & Neo, K.T. (2008). Using the Web in the problem-based learning environment: Its impact on student learning. International Journal of Instructional Media, 35(2), 195-208. Retrieved from Professional Development Collection database.
Selwyn, N., & Grant, L. (2009). Researching the realities of social software use – an introduction. Learning, Media, & Technology, 34(2), 79-86.
Schrand, T. (2008). Tapping into Active Learning and Multiple Intelligences with Interactive Multimedia: A Low-Threshold Classroom Approach. College Teaching, 56(2), 78-84. Retrieved from Professional Development Collection database.
Image © Harness Dickey