Month: February 2012

For the last few weeks we have been focusing on online learning and how to develop and design courses for online learners. I am extremely lucky to work with www.GlobalEd.ca because we are trying to meet some of the “learning” needs that I have read about by Anderson, Gibbs and others.

Really – what makes our online program different from anything I have ever experienced before – is that we we think outside the box. We are not contained as teachers or administrators…we are encouraged to push boundaries and create new opportunities.

The reality of the situation is….it means a lot of work for the teachers and administrators. I often wonder why there has not been a huge shift in education towards adopting technological options. I think the answer lies in the fear of change (why change something that works?) and the work involved. If something is easy…it is often not truly “worth it”.

Trying to “do things differently” is one of the hardest professional challenges I have ever faced. When youa re used to being contained, have limited expectations, are restricted by budgets, culture, administration or whatever…it is easy to dream about the grass that is always greener…

When you are the one who is asked to “do” , “create”, “build” while being accountable to your learners- and curriculum guidelines, it is harder than I ever thought. “No limits” is one of the biggest challenges an educator could ever face.

I am lucky to work in a job that makes me think and challenges me so much….but the cost is family time, work/life balance and money. I still have to pay the bills – and stop dreaming about all the ways I can engage and create meaningful learning environments.

I am not scared of change – I love to change everything around me…I never like teaching the same way…so that has helped push me into the “work” I do now….But the journey of fostering a new way of  “thinking” in Education…is not easy. I often compare it to being an explorer – I hear myself telling people that,  “there is something out there! New and exciting! We just have to figure out how to get there!!!”

So as a result…other than creating my Moodle course which is a specific outcome based assesment…my learning in my course over the last 3 weeks has been quite reflective of my “online” journey…and what I am “doing” to try and promote educational epiphanies for all….

Verena:)

In the usual “Real case scenario” style  – I experienced educational tech integration  issues this week as well. I have been asked to help an English 11 student create a “project” online to finish up the course. He is a hockey player and moved from SK to AB. So I asked him to do a novel study- The Kite Runner – and instead of following usual “novel study format”, I asked him to create a blog (weekly posts instead of a reflective journal, 3 main mini projects (on pages).

I also encouraged him to look at my blog for support – so you know who you are…and I am VERY impressed with your perseverance if you are reading this! Keep up the good work!  Remember that we are all learners, so I am learning from you too!

Last night he e-mailed me because  his attempts at classroom blogging were “overwhelming”. His e-mail said, “I’m so sorry – but I can’t do what you want me to do”. (What a conscientious student) I asked if we could skype – I and went through his webpage dashboard using screen share on skype – and we learned how to make a post. He had already logged in….but he found it confusing and did not know where to start. He said, “I’m sorry, I must be the only one who feels this way, but I was just overwhelmed- it is actually very easy when you explain it in chunks”.

So- from Anderson’s POV, the interactions were extremely important and varied between teacher student, student/student (he asked his fellow hockey teammates and no one knew how to help him) and student- content. Sometimes he just  needed the content, sometimes he just needed a teacher. Once I explained that the only expectation was to write a post after each chapter…then in a week we can see how he has progressed, he visibly calmed down. While I explained what the little icons at the top of the page could add images, font etc…you could see him tense up again….I imagine that after the first or second post he will start to “expand” his horizons….but that’s the way it works with new technology.

I found this article and that’s what inspired me to write another post this week. In this case, the teacher refers to using technology in the classroom as Classroom Redefinition. You can’t “force” technology, you have to try, reflect, then try again….and give it time…oh- and chunk it. Anyway…I digress…here’s the link:

hthttp://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2012/01/25/tln_magiera1.html?tkn=SPLFLeSeynS+NAF7VzyG8PyHvf/Rygab3tQn&cmp=clp-edweekk

Verena:)

I have been experimenting with different communication tools to try and figure out the best way to create a “podcast” like component to my Moodle course. My course is on “Teaching ESL online” and part of the learning is about  communicating with the students.

Right now, we offer a licensed ESL Moodle course that we have no ability or permission to edit. As such, we have huge problems communicating with students. On a basic level of communication, we are using www.edmodo.com as a “social networking and posting of information tool” every week for each course.We also meet with the students every week “f2f” by videoconferencing. I am pretty familiar with Blackboard, Elluminate, skype and now adobe connect. These platforms let the teacher really engage with the students and get to know them better.

Tonight I tried out Dimdim (no longer available) , Nanogong and Wimba. Nanogong (MoodleGong) is extremely slow, but great if it will work. I may try and install it into my course for fun. When I tried to click on different people’s responses the screen froze, a lot, which limited my experiences. It was not very user friendly. Wimba was terrific – clear and very easy to use. I really liked it, but I believe that it costs money – and my company doesn’t have enough to spend on audio services. If I could prove how wonderful it was, maybe they would reconsider?

My other option are podcasts using Web 2.0 tools. I personally love audioboo because it is so easy to use. I have not used it in a course yet, so the students would have to send me their links. I guess I am looking for an option that keeps everything in one place.

Lots more to investigate….but that is what I have discovered so far!

Verena:)