ETEC 565a - Learning Technologies: Selection, Design and Application
Educational Technology Tools:
I was looking forward to ETEC 565A as I was planning on expanding my technology skill set. Prior to this course I have used Moodle extensively, and I have created many sites and blogs so these were not new ideas for me. However this course did allow we to think more about the design using these tools and relating it back to theory. One important theory that I learned in this course had to do with synchronous vs asynchronous discussions in an online environment by Anderson (2008). This was important to me as I teach using a personal learning model where students go at their own pace through the course. Due to the difficulty in holding discussions in a self-paced environment, asynchronous conversations provided the answer as now I can facilitate group discussion with my students allowing them to learn from their peers.
Another main point that I found useful was the SECTIONS framework by Bates and Poole (2003) as it gave me a guide on how to evaluate new technology and the justification for implementing it in a classroom. Throughout the entire MET program this has been a key point that I have learned that I really need to have a strong justification for why I am using certain technology. Really this justification should exist even before looking for the technology. The MET program has provided me with the skills to evaluate research and synthesis that research into a coherent justification for the use of any educational technology in my classroom.
Taking ETEC 565A was like a seiche wave as it pushed against the boundaries of my learning in regards to design and my technical knowledge.
The following is one of my favourite quotes from the readings in this course as it really made me reflect on what are the critical components of teaching and does it differ in an online vs classroom environment.
I was looking forward to ETEC 565A as I was planning on expanding my technology skill set. Prior to this course I have used Moodle extensively, and I have created many sites and blogs so these were not new ideas for me. However this course did allow we to think more about the design using these tools and relating it back to theory. One important theory that I learned in this course had to do with synchronous vs asynchronous discussions in an online environment by Anderson (2008). This was important to me as I teach using a personal learning model where students go at their own pace through the course. Due to the difficulty in holding discussions in a self-paced environment, asynchronous conversations provided the answer as now I can facilitate group discussion with my students allowing them to learn from their peers.
Another main point that I found useful was the SECTIONS framework by Bates and Poole (2003) as it gave me a guide on how to evaluate new technology and the justification for implementing it in a classroom. Throughout the entire MET program this has been a key point that I have learned that I really need to have a strong justification for why I am using certain technology. Really this justification should exist even before looking for the technology. The MET program has provided me with the skills to evaluate research and synthesis that research into a coherent justification for the use of any educational technology in my classroom.
Taking ETEC 565A was like a seiche wave as it pushed against the boundaries of my learning in regards to design and my technical knowledge.
The following is one of my favourite quotes from the readings in this course as it really made me reflect on what are the critical components of teaching and does it differ in an online vs classroom environment.
"The fundamental characteristics of teaching and learning, however, and the three critical components of teaching presence - design and organization, facilitating discourse, and direct instruction - will continue to be critical components of teaching effectiveness in both online learning and classroom instruction." (Anderson, 2000, p. 361)
E-portfolio
The following e-portfolio is a summary of everything that I have learned in ETEC 565A. This was not my first experience with an e-portfolio, but it did make me realize the power of having an e-portfolio. For a deeper understanding of the impact of this artefact in my MET career look at the synthesis page in the blog which is my course reflection.
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Digital Storytelling:
I am including this artefact, for after I completed this assignment I realized how digital storytelling is a very powerful way of teaching course material. The process of creating a video such as this provides a whole new level of meaning for students as well as teaching them new skills. The ease with which I was able to create this makes this a perfect example of an assignment that can be easily implemented into my classroom.