When I first started teaching, my assistant principal always told me to be reflective of each day in the classroom. This exercise led me to focus on how I could be more productive on the processes that I performed each day. In a distance education program, there is a large amount of time spent alone with your studies. This allows the student to reflect on what is being learned. I appreciate this reflective opportunity and find blogs and wikis as a wonderful outlet for this process.
For this particular assignment, the reflective process allowed me to sort of slow down with the hustle and bustle of the course. I was able to take a step back and focus on what was going on. I am a distance learner studying about the processes and procedures of a distance education program. When I realized this, it was if I was in some type of twighlight zone episode. All of the theories, practices and technologies I was experiencing as I read.
The reflective blog process was very productive and enligtening. One minor suggestion is to have one or more guided questions for the reflective process. Of course the freedom was great, but its also nice to have your hand held every once in a while.
Tea
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Review of Blog
I have held a couple of different positions in an educational setting. I admnistered courses for a post secondary/continuing education institution. I taught face-to-face in a public school setting. I now am part of an accrediting body for postsecondary proprietary institutions. All these positions have helped me to undserstand the educational process from various perspectives. Additionally, the readings and teachings within my current program of study are a complement to the knowledge that I gained while experiencing these different systems.
The information from this program (although I am still in the early stages) has allowed me to see a connection regarding why certain functions are performed. The theory is beginning to match with reality. I think that going forward I will use my prior experience in an educational setting to help understand the processes within a distance education environment, for example in the development of infastructure of a distance education system.
It appears that in a distance education setting, it is best trying to duplicate the processes of traditional education. However, in doing so, certain areas may surface that had not previously been addressed in a traditional educational setting.
Terasita
The information from this program (although I am still in the early stages) has allowed me to see a connection regarding why certain functions are performed. The theory is beginning to match with reality. I think that going forward I will use my prior experience in an educational setting to help understand the processes within a distance education environment, for example in the development of infastructure of a distance education system.
It appears that in a distance education setting, it is best trying to duplicate the processes of traditional education. However, in doing so, certain areas may surface that had not previously been addressed in a traditional educational setting.
Terasita
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Course Design
One of the reasons that I joined this program was because I thought that I could have the option of designing curriculum. I figured I taught before and part of my job then was to design the curriculum. How difficult could this possibly be? Well, it appears that curriculum design, especially as it relates to distance education is a bit more cumbersome than what I experienced when I taught.
There are several different approaches to curriculum design depending on the method of delivery. Generally, correspondence courses are developed with a smaller group, at times one person, and the created material is edited or reviewed by another or group of people to ensure that the finished product satisfies the needs of the course. The "Course Team" approach as mentioned by Moore and Kearsley, consistents of many different team members ranging from subject specialists, designers, editors, producers, and can be even more. Although this sounds like the team for a movie production, these resources can be utilized effectively, especially if one is attempting to duplicate the classroom environment (where generally all of these tasks are completed by the one instructor). The first design team, known as the author editor approach may seem a bit more streamlined but the main focus on more so on the information than it is on the student. The course team approach is focused on the information, but also on ensuring that the student is able to comprehend the course materials and if this means providing the information in a variety of methods, then so be it. Additionally, it provides a system of checks and balances which ensures that one viewpoint is not delivered throughout the entire course (picture a monotous lecture with a slide presentation).
However, the course team model reminds me of an approach that I see in my work life. I am tasked with reviewing postsecondary institutions and upon review we (my team and I) are tasked with researching how curriculum is developed. I have noticed that for institutions that have multiple campuses around the country, they have used a method similar to that of the course model approach. The institution will hire subject matter specialists, course designers, technologists, and any others necessary to create a standard curriculum for a program of study. Instructors are then viewed more so as facilitators that are to present the information to the students and provide any additional help that they may need during the process. However, if an instructor feels that the course is missing a crucial component, they are then able to provide a review back to the institution, suggesting the information that needs to be included within the curriculum. I know that this is not a distance education course, but it is using one of the methods of curriculum design for a distance education course to its benefit.
There are several different approaches to curriculum design depending on the method of delivery. Generally, correspondence courses are developed with a smaller group, at times one person, and the created material is edited or reviewed by another or group of people to ensure that the finished product satisfies the needs of the course. The "Course Team" approach as mentioned by Moore and Kearsley, consistents of many different team members ranging from subject specialists, designers, editors, producers, and can be even more. Although this sounds like the team for a movie production, these resources can be utilized effectively, especially if one is attempting to duplicate the classroom environment (where generally all of these tasks are completed by the one instructor). The first design team, known as the author editor approach may seem a bit more streamlined but the main focus on more so on the information than it is on the student. The course team approach is focused on the information, but also on ensuring that the student is able to comprehend the course materials and if this means providing the information in a variety of methods, then so be it. Additionally, it provides a system of checks and balances which ensures that one viewpoint is not delivered throughout the entire course (picture a monotous lecture with a slide presentation).
However, the course team model reminds me of an approach that I see in my work life. I am tasked with reviewing postsecondary institutions and upon review we (my team and I) are tasked with researching how curriculum is developed. I have noticed that for institutions that have multiple campuses around the country, they have used a method similar to that of the course model approach. The institution will hire subject matter specialists, course designers, technologists, and any others necessary to create a standard curriculum for a program of study. Instructors are then viewed more so as facilitators that are to present the information to the students and provide any additional help that they may need during the process. However, if an instructor feels that the course is missing a crucial component, they are then able to provide a review back to the institution, suggesting the information that needs to be included within the curriculum. I know that this is not a distance education course, but it is using one of the methods of curriculum design for a distance education course to its benefit.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Educational Lurker
I had the wonderful epiphany this week that I am an discussion board lurker. During the posts for most of my class discussions, I read through everything that is presented by my classmates and instructor. Then, if I am finally brave enough, I post my thoughts and reactions. At times, it is too late to receive a response, but I think I may like that aspect of it. Dr. Otto Peters says that the lurking students (which I am a part of) should not be referred to as inactive or a lurker for that matter, but rather as a "witness learner." I am still participating, but in my own way. I am like the student that sits in the back of the classroom, observing, watching and absorbing all of the information and knowledge that is being presented. I then take this information and am able to comprise actual meaning from it.
I am amazed that I am able to continue my same face-to-face educational habits in a distance education setting. I find that the technology actually has helped me to become a more observant learner than I could attempt in face-to-face setting. In a classroom setting, I am noticed by the instructor as a student sitting there, and potentially not participating. However, in a distance education environment, it is difficult to prove this. Distance education is provided in almost two basic forms, synchronous and asynchronous. In a syncrhonous setting, communication happens at the same time, very duplicative of a face-to-face situation. In an asynchronous environment, there is a lag time between communication and sometimes, communication is one way. For a student like myself, the lurker, oops, the "witness learner", my communication is more receiving than giving. I choose to watch and review the postings, and shamefully not commenting until it is absolutely required for me to do so.
However, there are many more technologies and educational practices that are being used in distance education to put a halt to my one way communication. One technological practice that was introduced in the course was second life software. This software provided a virtual world that allowed users to navigate various locales. It was a way for a student to experience a lecture classroom that they were unable to attend. Or for a student to immerse themselves in a different culture without leaving the comforts of their own home. The second life software could potentially end my "lurking" habits and ensure that I am an active participant in my educational process.
I am amazed that I am able to continue my same face-to-face educational habits in a distance education setting. I find that the technology actually has helped me to become a more observant learner than I could attempt in face-to-face setting. In a classroom setting, I am noticed by the instructor as a student sitting there, and potentially not participating. However, in a distance education environment, it is difficult to prove this. Distance education is provided in almost two basic forms, synchronous and asynchronous. In a syncrhonous setting, communication happens at the same time, very duplicative of a face-to-face situation. In an asynchronous environment, there is a lag time between communication and sometimes, communication is one way. For a student like myself, the lurker, oops, the "witness learner", my communication is more receiving than giving. I choose to watch and review the postings, and shamefully not commenting until it is absolutely required for me to do so.
However, there are many more technologies and educational practices that are being used in distance education to put a halt to my one way communication. One technological practice that was introduced in the course was second life software. This software provided a virtual world that allowed users to navigate various locales. It was a way for a student to experience a lecture classroom that they were unable to attend. Or for a student to immerse themselves in a different culture without leaving the comforts of their own home. The second life software could potentially end my "lurking" habits and ensure that I am an active participant in my educational process.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
October Observations
The longer I am invloved with this course, the more I learn - I guess that is what is to be expected as a student. I confess that I did not know much about distance education, DE, prior to the readings of the course, but what is happening technologically is amazing. An introduction to the second life platform extended the knowledge that I already had about avatars. I could not imagine any use for such a system in an educational setting, but it is a great way to get a student to experience something outside of their realm. One can travel to different countries, view different cultures, and experience a life outside of the one they live.
Additionally, the concept of mobile learning intrigues me. When I think of my mobile devices, I do not think of them as being used in an educational setting. I only think of them for entertainment. However, thinking outside of the box, I can see the advantges of being able to look at my coursework and other educational items on my phone or ipod. Actually, if I remember correctly, some univeresities have started to use podcasts as a way of presenting information to their students and to others that aren't their students. They have started to allow access to their lectures for anyone interested.
Additionally, the concept of mobile learning intrigues me. When I think of my mobile devices, I do not think of them as being used in an educational setting. I only think of them for entertainment. However, thinking outside of the box, I can see the advantges of being able to look at my coursework and other educational items on my phone or ipod. Actually, if I remember correctly, some univeresities have started to use podcasts as a way of presenting information to their students and to others that aren't their students. They have started to allow access to their lectures for anyone interested.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Getting Started
This is a first post of many for my reflective process throughought my learning process in the course, OMDE603, Technology in Distance Education. I have currently created about as much internet traffic during my first month of graduate school as I did when I first started my undergraduate degree. Things have changed so drastically, that I am learning new avenues of technology everyday. I guess this is why this is called education.
When I first started this course, I was amazed at how little I knew about distance education. I just knew that distance education was a new phenomenon that had just recently took off. To my surprise, distance education had evolved already through five different generations of technology, from print (a technology taken for granted currently) to internet. During this process, I realized that distance education is not just for someone like me that travels and does not have a specific schedule which allows for me to continue school using the traditional methods, but rather it is to benefit some that are considered educationally unreachable. It is for the student that lives in a rural community without access to the most recent broadband widths; or the student that is deployed overseas that is starting to think of the future before the return home; or even for the student that needs to learn a trade so that they are able to provide extra income for their family.
Distance education progressed more and more with newer technologies. First being the postal system, which allowed instructors/teachers a means of communicating with students not within their general vicinity. Then came television which provided an additional visual component to the communication between teacher and student. Later, schools were developed based on just this practice, correspondence and broadcast communications. Eventually, the computer took distance education into the homes of almost any person that wished to further themselves educationally.
Distance education is really helping to provide a way for educational practices to be reviewed. I believe that it helps to broaden the traditional views of education - teacher, student, book. It takes the focus from the material being taught and places it on the student. Now education has a new lense, or frame of reference, by looking at how can I best reach the student. I am excited to see where DE where take education.
Tea
When I first started this course, I was amazed at how little I knew about distance education. I just knew that distance education was a new phenomenon that had just recently took off. To my surprise, distance education had evolved already through five different generations of technology, from print (a technology taken for granted currently) to internet. During this process, I realized that distance education is not just for someone like me that travels and does not have a specific schedule which allows for me to continue school using the traditional methods, but rather it is to benefit some that are considered educationally unreachable. It is for the student that lives in a rural community without access to the most recent broadband widths; or the student that is deployed overseas that is starting to think of the future before the return home; or even for the student that needs to learn a trade so that they are able to provide extra income for their family.
Distance education progressed more and more with newer technologies. First being the postal system, which allowed instructors/teachers a means of communicating with students not within their general vicinity. Then came television which provided an additional visual component to the communication between teacher and student. Later, schools were developed based on just this practice, correspondence and broadcast communications. Eventually, the computer took distance education into the homes of almost any person that wished to further themselves educationally.
Distance education is really helping to provide a way for educational practices to be reviewed. I believe that it helps to broaden the traditional views of education - teacher, student, book. It takes the focus from the material being taught and places it on the student. Now education has a new lense, or frame of reference, by looking at how can I best reach the student. I am excited to see where DE where take education.
Tea
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