The Blogging Experience

Blogging for the first time has been an interesting experience. It’s great to feel your views are worth publicizing to the world. The vulnerability of subjecting oneself to the opinion of the universe is a bit daunting. However, the power of the pen is empowering.

While reviewing the other blogs, I experienced the various personalities and point of views of my colleagues’.  Some students took a more professional approach, while others were more casual. It was a challenge to critic the work of my fellow students. Because there is no anonymity, I found myself commenting  only on the positive.

I am currently an Executive Assistant to the CIO of a university. Experiencing various multimedia will allow me to build my knowledge of interactive technology. I will continue to use the blog to voice my thoughts on Distance Education. I look forward to sharing from a students’ perception, as well as administrative. Overall, it was a great introduction to the world of blogging.

Highlights from Model 4

What's New ???

Instructional Design System

·         Analysis

o   Analyze content to identify the specific skills that are involved in the task or to identify performance that would demonstrate mastery of subject matter.

o   Identify characteristics of the learner and the learning environment, and to find out what these students need to know if they are to be able to perform the desired behavior.

·         Design

o   Learning objectives – the required performance of the students as a result of the course and each of its components.

o   Consists of a behavior, the conditions under which it should be evaluated, and a criterion for its measurement.

·         Development- designers and producers create the instructional material that communicate what is needed for achieving the learning objectives. (webpages, film, study guides, books, audio tapes, teleconferences)

·         Implementation - register, instructional materials are delivered, and they interact with their instructors and perhaps other students

·         Evaluation –The results of this formative evaluation can lead to intervention to change the analysis, design, or development procedures; but mainly it leads to changes in implementation.

Ah-Ha Moment

In module 4, we discussed the similarities and differences between designing and delivering a distance education course and a face to face course. Unlike a distance education course, the designing and delivering of a face-to-face course is mostly independent of a system. DE courses take a team approach to course development. It was interesting to discover how organizations that utilize the Instructional System Design (ISD) have such an advantage over organizations that do not have the same opportunity. Time, training, funding and organizational structure can prevent teachers from taking advantage of the ISD.

Reference

Moore & Kearsley, Chapter 5, "Course Design and Development, pp.97-122.

Highlights from Module 3 OMDE 603

What’s New ????

Social Media

I am really trying to appreciate using social media as an educational tool. I think I am so overwhelmed right now with life, that I'm not enjoying or utilizing it as I should. I realize the purpose is to gain experience in the asynchronous world, HOWEVER...... (I regress). The blog is a nice tool for voicing opinions, expressing ideas, and revealing discoveries. I've enjoyed reviewing classmates entries. It makes this asynchronous existence a bit more real-world-like.

Ah-Ha Moment

I finally submitted Assignment 1 for grading. Don't you hate when you submit and then decide to read it again? You see all kinds of things you wish you had changed. Overall, I think I did pretty good. I pressed enter at 11:56 pm (just making the midnight deadline). I guess the ah-ha moment was when I realized "girl...get yourself motivated; you are either in or out" (in my Heidi Klum voice)

New Terminology

Here is the introduction to assignment 1 entitled Exploring the Perception of the Effectiveness of LMS

The perception of the effectiveness of Learning Management Systems (LMSs) has been a concern in academia since the inception of distance education. The acceptance of technology is proportional to its perceived usefulness and satisfaction. This acceptance varies depending upon whether the user is a student or instructor. Learning managements systems facilitate an active learning environment while addressing the learning styles of the tech savvy student; and the needs of the instructor. Although LMSs have a number of strengths, there are weaknesses that expose the necessity to further investigate methods to enhance and support the online learning environment. This essay will discuss the various perceptions of a LMS, and the associated strengths and weakness.

References

Bates and Sangra, Chapter 2, "Recent Developments in Technology and Education," pp. 25-51

Anderson, T. (2009) Social Networking in Education. A draft paper to STRIDE handbook for The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). Retrieved: April 27, 2009, from http://terrya.edublogs.org/2009/04/28/social-networking-chapter/

Kurtz, G., Sponder, B., Litto, F.M., & Oshima, J. (2011). Using Web 2.0 for fostering students’ creativity and supporting diversity in online courses: Strategies and practices. A paper presented at the 24th ICDE world conference, Bali, Indonesia. Retrieved September 9, 2012, from https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BzA_NTEhbdH8RTQyc0wtNDE2S1k

Wiley, D. (2010). Openness as catalyst for an educational reformation. EDUCAUSE Review, 45(4), 14–20. Retrieved October 3, 2011, from http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE+Review/EDUCAUSEReviewMagazineVolume45/OpennessasCatalystforanEducati/209246.

Wiley, D. (2010). Open Education and the future. (15 min video presentation) Retrieved May 2, 2010 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb0syrgsH6M&feature=player_embedded#! 

REFLECTING on Module 1 OMDE 603

What's New ????

The Early Stages of Distance Education:

Studying the early development of DE inspires me to embrace change. With each generation change is inevitable. I do not want to become one of the many who fight against technology, and settles into the status quo. With each stage of distance education, I want to be open to the possibility that it will
enhance education.

Ah-Ha Moment 

Pedagogy evolves and as such, educators and researchers build on what already exists. Therefore the nature does not change; however, the appearance, purpose or objective may transform into a different form. Emerging technology builds upon existing technology, and teaching and learning pedagogy.

New Terminology

Defining Distance Education:

Distance Education is teaching and planned learning in which teaching normally occurs in a different place from learning, requiring communication through technology as well as special institutional organization.

Distance education must answer the call of supply and demand within the era it is being used. The key factor in distance education is the notion of revolution. Distance education must answer the call of supply and demand addressing the psychological, social and cultural period in which it is experienced. In studying the definition of distance education, my enthusiasm about MDE has been re-ignited.

References




Moore & Kearsley Chapter 1 “Terminology” pp. 1-22

Moore & Kearsley Chapter 2 “Historical Context” pp. 22-43

Highlights for Module 2 OMDE 603

What's New ??

Learning collaboratively, especially with an older age group has allowed me to gain from a wide range of experiences. In this course, I am able to hear the various experiences of using technology from a teacher and student point of view. There are no boundaries to distance education. It's exciting to be on the cutting edge of technology.

I am excited about learning the tech lingo. I can't wait to see the looks on the faces of my colleagues when I breakout with all this new terminology.

Also, it's interesting to see how the use of technology is making teaching and learning more relevant to the novice digital learner. Distance education can be used as a mechanism for transformation and I am excited to be a part of it !!!!!

A-Ha Moment

One of the things that sticks out from my readings for Module 2 is related to the time and effort needed by instructors to plan, design and implement asynchronous technology into their course. While I am hustling to read all these articles, the though has past my mind of the easy-breezy life the instructors have. However, considering the time and effort they invest in the preparation for the class is admirable. Also, the volume of student in online courses can be daunting. The time and effort in reading, and grading assignment is commendable. So....from a student and future educator....THANK YOU !!!!!

New Terminology

I cannot tell you how many time I have had to look up the definitions of asynchronous and synchronous to distinguish the difference. I think I have found a way to quickly recognize the difference. Here is my trick: The "S" in synchronous stands for "same time" and the "A" in asynchronous stands for "anytime".

References

McGreal R. & Elliott, M. (2008). Technologies of Online Learning (E-learning). In T. Anderson. T. (Ed.), Theory and practice of online learning (Second Edition). (pp. 143-165). Retrieved January 24, 2010 from http://www.aupress.ca/books/120146/ebook/06_Anderson_2008-Theory_and_Practice_of_Online_Learning.pdf

Stewart, A. R., Harlow, D. B., & DeBacco, K. (2011). Students' experience of synchronous learning in distributed environments. Distance Education, 32(3), 357-381. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01587919.2011.610289