Open courses are a great idea for several reasons. First of all, this is a great way for students to experience new material without the constraints of grades. Secondly, this allows one to look into whet6her they are actually interested in pursuing learning in a given area.
In the new technological age, I feel that open courses are a great idea for the student who is seeking knowledge simply to expand their knowledge base. My choice to review open courses was http://oyc.yale.edu/. At this site I was able to review information for a possible future study into classical literature. The course I looked at was Introduction to Ancient Greek History, which was taught by Prof. Donald Kagtan in the fall of 2007. The specific site for the course was http://oyc.yale.edu/classics/introduction-to-ancient-greek-history/content/syllabus.html
This open course seemed to be the perfect place to gather more knowledge to either learn for one’s own sake or to see if one was interested enough in the subject so as to take more courses in the given area.
Yes, the course seemed well planned for both in the classroom lecture and as an open course online. The entire semester was set up in link forms in chronological order which would allow the student to view the entire semester at their own pace, which is one of the most important tenets of distance education, to me.
As far as adhering to the things needed for online education this site holds true to many of the options that are listed in Design for Distance Education such as use a large font, Use few words per line, and use white space to enhance readability (Teaching and Learning at a Distance p134). I found that this made it similar to older distance education formats, but for me these are better.
This site lacked many of the “bells and whistles” that are found on more recently created sites, but sometimes all this can detract from the purpose of the site. The basics are clearly covered here and this makes this a bona fide educational experience, which could certainly parallel those that students get on campus at Yale.
This open course does not meet all of the requirements for online education that are listed in the textbook, but I feel that this site is a good one, even without all of those.
As for whether this site designer used course activities to maximize active learning for the students, I think that the answer is clearly no. This is basically a campus-style lecture course, which has been put online in its barest form. Certainly, it does have the basic requirements for that type of course-ie- lectures, syllabus, grading, etc. But it does not maximize student learning not in the same way that new courses do that not only have lecture videos but also require students to regularly attend a discussion board or maintain a blog or that use any of the other parts of new media to supplement the student learning experience.
Overall, this site uses an antiquated teaching method, which may still appeal to older students but on the other hand it is one that I think that younger students might find boring and hard to hold their attention. It certainly has its merits, but those are few and far between. There is much that I would do differently if I had been given the chance to design this learning experience as an ID. I think that a new generation of learners deserves a new generation of educator, who is willing to find new ways to pass on knowledge to all learners and not just to those of a certain type.
Open courses are a great way to help students expand their knowledge of material in different areas, but I still think that we as ID’s should be certain that these experiences provide a good learning experience for students of different learning styles.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Scenario 3
The tool that I would use first to set up the entire program would be BlackBoard 9.0. This distance education tool enables an ID to create an entire learning experience which encompasses different learning modules and therefore can cover a variety of topics and in the case of this company I think that this would be the best program to use to include all that one would need to do this sufficiently.
I would use a series of learning modules, each of which would include a different topic which would need to be covered. I might use letters or numbers to show the sequential order that they should follow.These could range from safety issues to safety procedures to the step-by-step priocesses which go into the everyday operation of this company.
I would hope to find a logical starting point and might even set up my learning modules in a manner where each group covered certain areas within smaller lessons which were quite specific within each one. Some means of coherence should be used to connect one module to the next in a logical order.
Using this program would also allow me to add a short test at the end of each module to ensure that students were retaining the information and not just going through them for the sake of doing so. I feel that this would add an extra measure of accountability to the program as a whole.
Another good thing about using this version of BlackBoard is that it shows student's last sign in, as well as time spent on task. Also it could be made available to students both from work or their home computers because the program can be used remotely in either place as long as there is internet access.
Also this program could be helpful in making the information more interesting by using colored fonts and graphics to pep up the modules a bit more.
A second distance education tool that I would use to enhance each of my learning modules would be flickr.com. With this tool I could add engaging videos, which would enhance the topic covered in each module, and this would also ensure that the students/workers would hopefully find this means of adding to the basic information both interesting and informative so as to add a little spice to the information that they were learning from each module. One's favorite cartoon characters, such as the Simpsons, could be used here to enhance the learning module.
Another reason to use this tool is so that the learning experience is not just a series of lecture notes typed into this format. I feel that while that could be beneficial for some learners it would definitely hold a majority back, as they not only might find this boring but also montonous on many fronts as well.
My examples as to how these two tools could be used well together for distance learning are the ways that they are used at Cleveland Community College in the developmental education department. Both of these were used as a part of the new English 85/95 format that I have helped to design for my college.
I would use a series of learning modules, each of which would include a different topic which would need to be covered. I might use letters or numbers to show the sequential order that they should follow.These could range from safety issues to safety procedures to the step-by-step priocesses which go into the everyday operation of this company.
I would hope to find a logical starting point and might even set up my learning modules in a manner where each group covered certain areas within smaller lessons which were quite specific within each one. Some means of coherence should be used to connect one module to the next in a logical order.
Using this program would also allow me to add a short test at the end of each module to ensure that students were retaining the information and not just going through them for the sake of doing so. I feel that this would add an extra measure of accountability to the program as a whole.
Another good thing about using this version of BlackBoard is that it shows student's last sign in, as well as time spent on task. Also it could be made available to students both from work or their home computers because the program can be used remotely in either place as long as there is internet access.
Also this program could be helpful in making the information more interesting by using colored fonts and graphics to pep up the modules a bit more.
A second distance education tool that I would use to enhance each of my learning modules would be flickr.com. With this tool I could add engaging videos, which would enhance the topic covered in each module, and this would also ensure that the students/workers would hopefully find this means of adding to the basic information both interesting and informative so as to add a little spice to the information that they were learning from each module. One's favorite cartoon characters, such as the Simpsons, could be used here to enhance the learning module.
Another reason to use this tool is so that the learning experience is not just a series of lecture notes typed into this format. I feel that while that could be beneficial for some learners it would definitely hold a majority back, as they not only might find this boring but also montonous on many fronts as well.
My examples as to how these two tools could be used well together for distance learning are the ways that they are used at Cleveland Community College in the developmental education department. Both of these were used as a part of the new English 85/95 format that I have helped to design for my college.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Mind map
http://mywebspiration.com/view/534900a36e95
This is the link where where my mind mapping exercise can be found.
This is the link where where my mind mapping exercise can be found.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Distance Learning
Distance education is one of the best things to happen to education since the printed book. It allows students to gain degrees and certificates on their own time and at their own pace. It has opened a whole new world to many individuals.
The great thing about distance education is that it puts a semblance of control into the hand of the each and every student. For example, if they are working in a self-paced course then they have the option of finishing early, or even in a hybrid course they can complete a majority of their work outside the classroom on their own time frame.
I feel that the definition of distance learning is forever changing because distance learning itself changes everyday as well. With the advent and incorporation of new technological advances distance education programs are becoming more common on most college campuses. I feel that the first thing that pushes this metamorphosis is the sheer number of students who are taking part in these programs nowadays. This forces us, as educators, to have technology that can handle a larger number of users at once.
A second change that I feel is related directly to the users is that its designers now work to make this software more navigable, manageable, and easy to use because so many who are attempting to use distance education are doing so with less and less technical knowledge before hand.
Also this is a type of double-edged sword, as we now have software which is easier to use, but for example in developmental because of the advanced ages of some of our students we still must bridge this technological gap. So even though we now have better technology than ever before we are also faced with less experienced students, at least in this manner, who are now attempting to use it.
In conclusion, technology is a great thing and thus so is distance education for many, many reasons, but I think the best part is the promise that it holds for all students to learn and further their own personal storehouse of knowledge.
With the above considerations in mind, post to your blog a 5- to 6-paragraph description of the evolution of distance learning as it relates to your own experiences. Be sure to include the following in your post:
Your personal definition and observations of distance learning
The great thing about distance education is that it puts a semblance of control into the hand of the each and every student. For example, if they are working in a self-paced course then they have the option of finishing early, or even in a hybrid course they can complete a majority of their work outside the classroom on their own time frame.
I feel that the definition of distance learning is forever changing because distance learning itself changes everyday as well. With the advent and incorporation of new technological advances distance education programs are becoming more common on most college campuses. I feel that the first thing that pushes this metamorphosis is the sheer number of students who are taking part in these programs nowadays. This forces us, as educators, to have technology that can handle a larger number of users at once.
A second change that I feel is related directly to the users is that its designers now work to make this software more navigable, manageable, and easy to use because so many who are attempting to use distance education are doing so with less and less technical knowledge before hand.
Also this is a type of double-edged sword, as we now have software which is easier to use, but for example in developmental because of the advanced ages of some of our students we still must bridge this technological gap. So even though we now have better technology than ever before we are also faced with less experienced students, at least in this manner, who are now attempting to use it.
In conclusion, technology is a great thing and thus so is distance education for many, many reasons, but I think the best part is the promise that it holds for all students to learn and further their own personal storehouse of knowledge.
With the above considerations in mind, post to your blog a 5- to 6-paragraph description of the evolution of distance learning as it relates to your own experiences. Be sure to include the following in your post:
Your personal definition and observations of distance learning
Hello All from EDU 6135
Hello All! My name is Wes Anthony and this is my blog. I haven't used it for a while, but this is it!
I teach English at CCC in Shelby, NC. I've recently published my second novel-Binger and Stumpy(Strategic 2010).
More to come.
I teach English at CCC in Shelby, NC. I've recently published my second novel-Binger and Stumpy(Strategic 2010).
More to come.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Week 7 Blog Assignment
As far as my viewe on learning theories and how they are implemented it really has not changed too excessively thanks to my time in this course. But I can say for certain that I can now put names with many of the concepts that I have used during my teaching careeer thus far. I've also learned more of the nuts and bolts of how these theories work and I've found this part extremely interesting. When looking at the way that I personally learn I still see it in much the same way, but with more understanding of the why of it in some cases.
I've learned that some individuals learn through auditory means while some others learn visually, but others can still learn in other ways depending on the subject. This has been explained more fully through the readings and discussions we've had in this course, I think. I know understand why I learn let's say math visually while I best get English in a lecture setting with required readings, some of which are done aloud in class.
Technology plays a huge way in the way that I learn today. I take classes on my laptop, check my e-mail from those courses on my Blackberry, I do research on the internet, and I type papers on said laptop with Microsoft Word, as well as many other educational tasks. Without technology none of this would be possible and so I feel that technology has truly revolutionized the ways in which we teach and learn in the world today. Without most of these technical advances the way that I now take classes and learn would be utterly impossible.
I've learned that some individuals learn through auditory means while some others learn visually, but others can still learn in other ways depending on the subject. This has been explained more fully through the readings and discussions we've had in this course, I think. I know understand why I learn let's say math visually while I best get English in a lecture setting with required readings, some of which are done aloud in class.
Technology plays a huge way in the way that I learn today. I take classes on my laptop, check my e-mail from those courses on my Blackberry, I do research on the internet, and I type papers on said laptop with Microsoft Word, as well as many other educational tasks. Without technology none of this would be possible and so I feel that technology has truly revolutionized the ways in which we teach and learn in the world today. Without most of these technical advances the way that I now take classes and learn would be utterly impossible.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Thpoughts on this week and my assignment
Connectivism and mind mapping are very interesting subjects that we;ve covered in my class thios week. As far as Connectivism goes I can see hopw it is an important learning theory, but as far as the mind mapping soites I checked out went I found them useless and very difficult to navigate. many would not allow me to download and so part of my assignment for this week could not be done.
This Week's Assignment
Connectivism is a good way to look at learning as whole. By looking at it in thiws manner one can see how different aspects of one's process can come to together to either hinder or facilitate opne learning experiences. Just like with the mind mapping, which I tried many times to download, Connectivism is about the joint connectedness that is found in any good learning environment. Especially as was stated in "Connectivism" the video "It is a learnig theory that integrates theory and technology". I feel that this is extremely important as much learninhg will be done hand in hamd with technology in the classrooms of this century and beyond.
As far as the way that my connections facilitate learning is that if I'm stuck on a thought or question then I have several options from around the globe who are awake at different times thanks to their geopgraphical location so as I may ask them a question or two. Also i can type my wquestion into Google or Yahoo search engines.
I find that yahoo is one of my best tools, but I've found blogs and other online resources just as helpful. Also I feel that this goes deeper as we all learn and use technologhy each day. For example, a few monthes ago I got my first BNlacvkberry and thus then I went on the learning adventure that is required out of one to understand and use properly all that one is capable of. Somedays I still have to ask a few wquestions about or why I do what.
I feel that my personal learning network goes hand in hand with many of the tenets of Connectivism as I find that many parts of it are inerconnected in different ways so as each helps the other, in my opinion. But these syustems are catered on a personal basis and the interconnections that work for me maty not work for another who th8inks even slightly differently than I do.
This Week's Assignment
Connectivism is a good way to look at learning as whole. By looking at it in thiws manner one can see how different aspects of one's process can come to together to either hinder or facilitate opne learning experiences. Just like with the mind mapping, which I tried many times to download, Connectivism is about the joint connectedness that is found in any good learning environment. Especially as was stated in "Connectivism" the video "It is a learnig theory that integrates theory and technology". I feel that this is extremely important as much learninhg will be done hand in hamd with technology in the classrooms of this century and beyond.
As far as the way that my connections facilitate learning is that if I'm stuck on a thought or question then I have several options from around the globe who are awake at different times thanks to their geopgraphical location so as I may ask them a question or two. Also i can type my wquestion into Google or Yahoo search engines.
I find that yahoo is one of my best tools, but I've found blogs and other online resources just as helpful. Also I feel that this goes deeper as we all learn and use technologhy each day. For example, a few monthes ago I got my first BNlacvkberry and thus then I went on the learning adventure that is required out of one to understand and use properly all that one is capable of. Somedays I still have to ask a few wquestions about or why I do what.
I feel that my personal learning network goes hand in hand with many of the tenets of Connectivism as I find that many parts of it are inerconnected in different ways so as each helps the other, in my opinion. But these syustems are catered on a personal basis and the interconnections that work for me maty not work for another who th8inks even slightly differently than I do.
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