Mar
2
Reflection
Posted by: Laurie Trepanier | March 2, 2010 | 1 Comment
As the Olympics are now finished and the TV no longer becomes a magnet for my attention, I begin to re-focus on the task at hand; completing the ETEC 565 course. While I had every intention of working during the two week break, I was a little hampered by my lack of access to the Moodle site. So now, I have a file full of text that I will begin to add to my Moodle course. Thus, my experience to date with the platform is rather limited. To date, I have enjoyed this course immensely.
The readings that I have benefited from the most are Bates and Poole Chapter Four: A Framework for Selection and Using Technology and Anderson’s Towards a Theory of Online Learning. This literature will and have already reframed my perceptions of courseware design, acquisitions for e-learning and usage of technology in the classroom.
The group activity focusing on the LMS evaluation was also highly beneficial. I have taken some time to review my current work processes and I have added criteria focusing on 1) Integration with Existing Systems and 2) Compatibility. These were two areas that I did not focus on prior to beginning this course. As technology rapidly changes and new software providers enter the market, I believe that these two issues will be almost as important as the pedagogical and user interface criteria.
My goals posted under Flight Path are as follows:
1. Develop a stronger understanding of effective formative and summative assessment in a digital format;
2. Develop a wider understanding of individual learning goals within standardized performance oriented content. (With a focus on digital environments); and
3. To learn more about educational technologies that may benefit the schools in my organization.
I believe I am achieving these goals through my own individual work, research and participation in discussion forums. In my opinion, I am learning more from my co-students experiences and perceptions then I am learning from the course instructional materials.
References
Anderson, T. (2008). Towards a Theory of Online Learning. In: Anderson, T. & Elloumi, F. Theory and Practice of Online Learning. Athabasca University, Accessed online 3 March 2009.
Bates, A. W. and 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.
Comments
1 Comment so far
n my opinion, I am learning more from my co-students experiences and perceptions then I am learning from the course instructional materials.
Other instructors might be concerned or unhappy about a statement like this: not me. The course design has always focused on creating spaces for the learning community to be one of the main sites of learning.
But now that we’re moving into the instrumental portion of the course–more of the “how to” stuff–the course materials should become more prominent in your learning proces. Should. 🙂