M4.6 - Facebook Reflection

How do you see a Facebook page as adding value to the learning environment that you are creating? 

 

This question is difficult for me. I have used Facebook for several years to stay in contact with a small network of people – Family and Friends. As I worked through this week’s learning objectives, I started to see how the Facebook page for a community of learners could be useful. I created a page separate from my personal page for Tech Support Learners to collaborate, find useful tools and resources, and to stay in touch with other learners for possible employment opportunities. So, I would have to say that the added value is what we can use beyond the classroom – the ability to learn with fellow colleagues beyond taking a course together. We can stay in touch and continue the professional relationships we build in class far beyond the normal learning environment. We can learn new techniques together and share for today, tomorrow, and the years to come.

Given that you would use private pages for internal postings, are there ways that you would try to encourage an ongoing community or commitment through the Facebook venue?

 

I would encourage an ongoing community by introducing my students to the page in Facebook. I would create assignments for them to share on the wall in Facebook for the community that I have created. I would encourage the continued collaboration for future use. I would also recommend the page to fellow Instructors in my department.

I always say to my students, “How do we set the world on fire? It only takes a spark!” I wish I knew who originally said this but it was shared many years ago with me by a teacher I had in high school. I hold this saying dear to me as it is so true. It only takes a single idea or statement to set everything in motion. Sometimes we have to continue to fan the flames of good ideas but once that spark is lit, look out at what can come!

How would you plan on maintaining such an outward-facing social presence? 

 

To maintain this page, I would need to collaborate with other members in the learning community that would have a stake in the continuation of this page. I would share administration privileges with them so they can maintain the site. I would probably need to start a charter and bylaws of rules for the community to help assure the intent and continuation with good faith far beyond my involvement.

Would you maintain this yourself or share the responsibilities with the learners in your environment?   

I would have to share the responsibility with fellow learners and collaborators. The only way for this page to continue is to maintain a source of fresh ideas and content. The page can’t go stagnant.

Reflection on YouTube video

This module was eye opening, challenging, and fun for me! I have never created a video for YouTube before. As I prepared my script and worked on the content I realized just how much thought and preparation was necessary to put together a video lesson. I had to learn a new literacy of video editing and it was unique. I am not a master – yet, but I will definitely put together more lessons this way.

I should my video to one of my sections and they loved it. The students actually asked for me to create more lessons this way to supplement my face to face lectures. They wanted the shortened lecture video to refer back to while studying. I can truly see the power of this already. Amazing!

I hope you all have had as amazing experience as I did!

Week 6

Greetings fellow Learners,

The learning environment that I am focusing on is the transition of a face to face Technical Support college course to an online or a blended format. As I learn about new technologies, I am examining how I am able to incorporate them to this endeavor. To fully understand how to best utilize these technologies I must also examine the standards and expectations of my environment. I will also need to understand what is currently in practice from a traditional sense and determine what is working as well as what might need some improvement. I also should look at my own learning experiences and challenges to see what I can learn from and adapt my environment to be improved for future learning environments.

Meeting the Expectations

When developing a course for an online or a blended format I must meet the guidelines of the institution that will offer the course, the standards of governing agencies, and expectations of the students that will be taking the course. I have been reading the guidelines of the Distance Learning department of the institution where I work and the Faculty handbook to determine a starting point of what is expected from the Instructor of an online course as well as the course material.

In addition to the Institutional guidelines and expectations are those of the accrediting body. For the Institution I work at this is the Middle States Commission. These guidelines can be found at http://www.msche.org/publications_view.asp?idPublicationType=5&txtPublicationType=Guidelines+for+Institutional+Improvement .

I have also examined some standards that have been in place for online learning in the K12 environment. These standards are important as this will show what future students will expect from a higher education course as they have already been subjected to these standards. I am reviewing materials from iNACOL which is the International Association for K12 Online Learning and can be found at http://www.inacol.org/ . In addition to these standards, I also have been examining the Section 508 compliance regulations that are the Federal regulations for Accessibility. These guidelines and standards can be found at http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it .

Current and Traditional Practices (Delivery Methods)

Traditional course material delivery is what we are all accustomed to. We attend a face to face class setting in a brick and mortar environment.  The instructor delivers a lecture using common presentation methods such as Power Point or overhead slides and notes on a whiteboard/ blackboard. We are given reading assignments to support the given lecture and written assignments to enhance the reading and lecture. The learner’s progress is then assessed through an examination or project that will display the mastery of concepts.

Current practices for online delivery can differ from traditional methods in many ways. The online environment has become more self-learner driven and the Instructor has become a guide through the learning process by providing reading and assignments that will prompt the learner to explore deeper into concepts. The learner is expected to take an active part in their learning process through online discussion forums and written assignments. The assessment process can also be of a traditional sense such as examinations but tend to be more projects driven to display the true mastery.

My Own Learning Experience

While I can appreciate both methods I prefer the online environment for my own personal learning style, but, would like more of the Instructor lecture of a traditional method. I have heard the argument: “If a face to face Instructor was to enter a classroom, write on the board to read chapters 3 through 6 of a textbook then write a 3 page paper on the topic and discuss the topic with your fellow classmates. Then the Instructor leaves. Would we think that they have accomplished their job?” As I can understand the belief that this is what happens in an online class setting, I have to say that it is not and it is no comparison. I have been learning the complicated intricacies of designing a course for distance learning and I must say, “what an eye opener!”

What I wish to accomplish is bringing the best of both environments into one complete learning environment through the use of technologies that will allow an Instructor to present a traditional lecture, prompt for a deeper research and discussion, display the mastery of concepts all while utilizing distance learning. I wish to break the barrier of learners needing to be directly led to learn but still involve methods to guide them to an element of literacy.

Reflecting on First Three Weeks

I have been asked to reflect on what I have learned and discovered after the first few weeks of taking LETTP.

What did you learn about learning itself when working with technologies?   

So far in this course I have learned a considerable amount in these few weeks. I haven’t ever stopped to think that we are truly on the edge of a new frontier. I have learned that we need to develop a level of competency to use new and emerging technology. We need these skills to not only use the technology but to learn how to incorporate it into a learning or educational environment. I have found that technology can be applied to different environments for greater purposes.

Were there any aspects of new territory in what you attempted within this module – and how did you address your own learning needs if that was the case?

I have crossed a threshold of online learning with Second Life. I had never ventured into this realm before as I limited myself by only viewing it as a game. How wrong I was! Second life has given me a new way of viewing how technology can “crossover” from one platform to another to become an emerging technology in education. I have started looking at other technology – mostly Internet based, and now I wonder how I can use this to reach my students in a new way that will engage their learning in a new and fun way.

In what ways did your review of the work of others help you learn about your own future work? 

As we have met and shared about our own experience and discussed our environments, I have learned that there are many colleagues that I can draw on for new experience and avenues to discover more about teaching and the technologies that others have tried. I am excited as I feel that a whole new world has been opened to me! I can see that I am not alone in some of the struggles that I have experienced and I can share in successes with others who will understand when I say that “I saw the light bulbs come on today with my students and feels wonderful!”