Synthesis Reflection
When I began the ETEC 565 course Learning Technologies: Selection, Design and Application I was so excited for all the things I would learn. Now at the end of the dynamic journey process I’ll say that the time investment up front was worthy.
1-2 paragraph précis of your flight path
The main objective I have for this course was perfectly in agreement with the main point of the course: How to use technology to improve learning?
I established other goals, as well, in the required flight path. These goals included to begin to acquire the necessary skills to master Moodle as Learning Management System, and have a better understanding and use of social software, especially webblogs and wikis. Without any doubt I accomplished these goals.
Reflection on your eLearning toolkit experience overall
I found e-learning kit tools very useful and vital to a better understanding of technologies in education. However, I’ll reflect in one, that has dramatically changed my points of view: It’s about webblogs. I used to see blogging for people who have good skills writing. I thought I had to work on my writing skills and become a blogger. But, at the same time I thought it wouldn’t be good for my Spanish classes, especially at the low levels because of learners limited proficiency of the language. But, after being involved with webblog due to the course assignment, I totally agree with Downess (2005) who says that despite the obvious appearance, blogging isn’t really about writing at all, even tough, that’s just the end of the outcome that occurs naturally if everything else has been done right. Blogging is about reading any topic that interests the learner. It is about engaging with the content and with the authors of what has been read, reflected, criticized, questioned or reacted. Since this point of view, I now consider blogging as great tool to my Spanish classes and I am determined to embraced and encouraged its used. It will bring real life situation to the learners.
Apply SECTIONS model to self-assess your portfolio, where applicable
S for student. Access and differences in how students learn.
E for use and reliability. Because it was my first experience with word press and blogging in general at the beginning it was not simple. However the instructions and the support of the instructor helped. There was a fear of messing up. And I certainly did!. Conversely, it was easy for the instructor to see the work done. The technology has been reliable.
C for Cost. I’m not familiar with the cost, but I assume the tuition fees covers the expenses.
T for Teaching and Learning. The use of this portfolio for teaching in learning can be set in the constructivist pedagogy of the course. It is also designed to assess students. I’m a believer that portfolio is a good tool to evaluate the process of the learner.
I for Interaction and Interactivity. It actually is active and allow interaction, we respond to the learning material and get feedback from the learning community and from the world.
O for Organizational issues. There is a technical support for technology-based teaching.
N for Novelty. The technology is not new, it seems to be reliable.
S for Speed. It is relatively easy to make changes to our post.
Describe next steps for you, in terms of your practice in educational technology
The first step I am going to keep on designing constructivist language and other courses for adult learners, practice and develop my skills and built my professional e-portfolio.
Looking back, how does what you expected to learn during ETEC 565 compare to what you actually have learned, in terms of technical competencies?
I expected to learn more about Moodle, just knew the SCORM, to upload contents. Now, I am competent in the other block, the interactive that include quizzes, assignments, surveys, wikis, forums, glossary and chat. Also I feel more comfortable using blogs. It was my first experience with wordpress. I wanted to learn animation, I couldn’t do it because of the time, but I found Animoto and PhotoPeach that allow me to do the digital story.
Moving forward, how do you think what you learned in ETEC 565 will impact your educational practice, be it as an instructional designer, instructor, or administrator?
Without any doubt ETEC 565 has impacted my educational practice as an instructor, and gave me the insight to instructional design field, with hands- on practice and theoretical framework to support its use in education. But, it wouldn’t be possible without the participation of the community members, classmates and the instructor. I highly value the participation of each one in my learning process. Thank you.
Reference
Bates, A.W. & Poole, G. (2003). Chapter 4: a Framework for Selecting and Using Technology. In Effective Teaching with Technology in Higher Education: Foundations for Success. (pp. 77-105). San Francisco: Jossey Bass Publishers.
Chickering, A.W. & Gamson, Z.F. (1987). Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education. American Association for Higher Education Bulletin, 39 (7), 3-7.
Downes, S. (2004). Educational Blogging. Educause Review, 39(5, September/October), 14-26. Accessed online 25 March 2009.
