Initial Perceptions
When I began this course, I was filled with thoughts of what it would be like. I had taken online courses before, however, that was a few years ago and I was sure that the world of online teaching, online communication, and the technology that supports these dynamics had changed just by virtue of how everything in life seems to be moving very fast and evolving. To finish the course, I will have to budget my time accordingly and interact with others to increase my knowledge. I was not aware that there was more than email or discussion posts to contact others but there is also chat and a wiki page.
Becoming Familiar with Tools
I was familiar with WebCT but had never heard of Blackboard. Other terms that I had only heard of in passing or maybe even utilized but was unaware of their composition were “Wiki”, and “Blog” and the first part of the course introduced me to them. After reading up on and experimenting with them, I realized that I only needed to become familiar with them as tools and I found actual use of them was quite user-friendly, to my delight. Also, these tools are used universally and have become acceptable standards.
Social Constructivism Theory and Implications
The online course delved into some interesting and involved topics that were, sometimes, challenging to say the least. For example, after reading about social constructivist theories and how they are related to online learning and teaching, I became somewhat overwhelmed. As I studied and perused the information further, it began to make sense and I began to connect the dots and began to think about ways I could incorporate the information. When one thinks about it, the social constructivist teaching and learning models make sense. One of the models that I identify with (Carwile, 2007), states that learners move from being a passive recipient to the center of instruction that involves collaboration and interactions, with their life experiences woven into the process (mental construct). From an instructor perspective under this model, the role is more of that of a facilitator who fosters student collaboration. The fact is, a student-centered model places the student in the best position to build knowledge in self-learning and group settings. Although online learning is more difficult because it requires me to be more disciplined with my time, conversely, I am allowed to tie what I am learning together with my own experiences. In this sense, it makes learning easier for me.
Types of Online Courses
I also reflect on the various types of online courses (i.e., fully online, hybrid, blended and web-enhanced). I had never considered that courses may work better blended or as a hybrid, especially when the course may require actual hands-on experience, such as one would find in a science or medical-based class. In any case, when designing a course in any of the above categories, certain criteria must be met for it to help students meet learning goals. Content should be written in good English, be easy to understand, pages should load quickly, outside experts used when appropriate and material should follow a logical sequence. One of the most important elements is that it should be designed in such a way that it caters to all of the learning styles indicated below. Sometimes weaknesses can become apparent if online courses are not designed with the above in mind. Existing courses can be enhanced by uploading course information with instructions in a progressive format with visuals and maybe even audio or video clips.
Learning Styles
While working in corporate America, I had had some exposure to learning styles but not to the extent presented in the course. People learn in very different ways and in ways that maximize the learning experience for them. There is actually a science to learning styles and each of us affects towards one and pieces of other styles to some degree. My preferred learning style is the Visual/Verbal style. I tend to like to study alone in a quiet room and see information in my "minds eye" when trying to remember something.
At other times, depending on the project, persons may substitute one learning style for another and move along the continuum. While much research has been done on learning styles, one popular one is the Diablo Valley College (DVC) survey which measures if one learns best in:
- Visual/Verbal Style where information is presented visually and in written language formats;
- Visual/Nonverbal Style where picture design and visuals work best;
- Tactile Kinesthetic Style where “hands on” works best; and
- Auditory/Verbal where auditory and oral language works best.
I believe that the Gardner learning style list was more comprehensive than that of the DVC and it included eight (8) styles).
Group Interaction
I learned that working in group projects can be easier if there is a quarterback or group captain with strong leadership skills. The caveat is that “strong” does not necessarily translate into demanding or not being part of a team. While group projects can have their advantages, I learned that the greatest advantage is that one can lean on team members for support in areas where they may have less knowledge and they can also offer new and innovative ideas to help reach the goal. As long as the online environment is safe, with guidelines for interaction including proper netiquette, relationship building and group cohesiveness can be achieved as well.
Teaching Style
(Google Images)
I was not surprised to learn that my teaching style is geared more toward that of a facilitator, versus a delegator, however, I did have to bear in mind that as a facilitator, in designing and teaching online courses, that students learn in very different ways and I have to constantly adjust my teaching styles accordingly for their benefit.
E-Portfolios
This is a great way to showcase talent and demonstrate proficiency to academic and business arenas. I had never seen an e-portfolio before but I was impressed with the samples. Not only does an e-portfolios bring everything together in one place but it can also give a sexy and professional look. My strategy to create my e-portfolio will be to utilize Wetpaint Wiki and keep the content simple and easy to read and follow.
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