Think back over the last two weeks and the subjects and our related discussions. We have defined online communities and discussed how to best organize and produce high performing teams in virtual environment. Now it is time to reflect back and wrap up all of these issues into one last reflection. Consider this one as the “last reflection” and focus on both how we have defined online communities and looked at the many variations of them as well as the complex, high performing team creation.
Now, what does all that mean to you? What are the big issues and ideas you have taken away from these two weeks of discussions? Finally, how does it apply to you? What will you do with this new knowledge base?
I learned that it is important to include a sense of community and to create team assignments in online courses. Both help create a sense of accountability and ensure that students feel wanted and supported. To build a successful community or team, there needs to be a sense of trust, mutual respect and (hopefully) a strong interest in the subject matter and assignments.
Of course, having teams means that there can be problems with those teams! In my own classes, I would like to set up one big project for the team to work on. I would require them to meet synchronously regularly, because I have read in the discussions and the articles that much can be lost (including tone, body language and smiles!) when students interact with each other only asynchronously.
I understand that this class included teams with specific roles in order to emulate the process of putting together a real class, with the faculty, instructional designer, graphic designer, programmer, and help desk. I have found that teams with specific roles work better if each participant is capable of and willing to handle their specific role.
From my experience with online teams, I have appreciated when teachers stepped in when communication between team members was unsuccessful. Sometimes there are issues that cannot be solved by peers.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Reflection #2
Think back over the last three weeks of the course and the subjects and our related discussions. We have explored Adult Learning Theory and the double-week of Online Learning Research. Now it is time to reflect back on the relevance and meaning of these subjects and how they fit together with you and your own learning style or preference and how it mixes with your professional life. As you think about these issues, also consider how you may teach others online and how this research has impacted that. How do you see these concepts affecting you when you are leading your own online community?
Learning theory continues to baffle me. I need to draw connections/relationships in order to understand abstract concepts. While I could see the relationship between behaviorism and cognitivism (that cognitivism was created out of behaviorism), I did not see a strong connection to constructivism (though I understand what it is - learning by doing). I think I should re-read those articles. How would this affect my own online learning community? Perhaps I would create an assignment that focuses on the similarities and differences between those three (and a few other) learning theories.
On a negative note, I was reminded of how much I do not like group work during these past few weeks. This is made more difficult because we do not meet together, so we cannot pick up on visual cues and body language. I am confident that some of my posts came across much harsher than they would have in person. Additionally, people do not naturally spend a lot of time reading in order to fully understand. Therefore, much clarification was needed, and when team members expected me to completed extra tasks for them, I did not know how to respond in a discussion thread.
This experience with group work would inform my own leadership in an online community considerably. I appreciated having a team in order to feel more connected to the group; it was nearly impossible to get to know all 15 classmates. Knowing four was much more manageable. Therefore, I plan to continue to incorporate group work, but I would make the assignments basic and focus on discussion instead of projects.
Think back over the last three weeks of the course and the subjects and our related discussions. We have explored Adult Learning Theory and the double-week of Online Learning Research. Now it is time to reflect back on the relevance and meaning of these subjects and how they fit together with you and your own learning style or preference and how it mixes with your professional life. As you think about these issues, also consider how you may teach others online and how this research has impacted that. How do you see these concepts affecting you when you are leading your own online community?
Learning theory continues to baffle me. I need to draw connections/relationships in order to understand abstract concepts. While I could see the relationship between behaviorism and cognitivism (that cognitivism was created out of behaviorism), I did not see a strong connection to constructivism (though I understand what it is - learning by doing). I think I should re-read those articles. How would this affect my own online learning community? Perhaps I would create an assignment that focuses on the similarities and differences between those three (and a few other) learning theories.
The practice of reviewing journal articles was very beneficial. I haven't been in a writing oriented class in a few years, so those two reviews reintroduced me to writing. Additionally, I was surprised too see how quickly I was able to write the second review. While my first review took 5-6 hours, the second review took just over three. This has been very good practice for a future as an academic or simply as a professional development practice. I would include this kind of assignment in my own online community.
On a negative note, I was reminded of how much I do not like group work during these past few weeks. This is made more difficult because we do not meet together, so we cannot pick up on visual cues and body language. I am confident that some of my posts came across much harsher than they would have in person. Additionally, people do not naturally spend a lot of time reading in order to fully understand. Therefore, much clarification was needed, and when team members expected me to completed extra tasks for them, I did not know how to respond in a discussion thread.
This experience with group work would inform my own leadership in an online community considerably. I appreciated having a team in order to feel more connected to the group; it was nearly impossible to get to know all 15 classmates. Knowing four was much more manageable. Therefore, I plan to continue to incorporate group work, but I would make the assignments basic and focus on discussion instead of projects.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Reflection #1
Think back over the last three weeks of the course and the subjects and our related discussions. We have explored the “History of Online Learning”, the “Strengths, Weaknesses, and Benefits”, and analyzed the various application that deliver online courses. In your mind, try to synthesize these concepts and the related discussions and activities. Reflect back on what they have meant to you. How have these affected you and which ones are the most important to you? How do these concepts and discussions connect to your professional career?
Distance education began before the Internet, via correspondence. Taking classes or obtaining a degree this way was tedious, as it involved the mailing of assignments, tests and projects between the learner and the teacher. With the advent and subsequent growth of the Internet, 'distance' learning has taken a back seat to e-learning at a distance or online learning.
Online learning became most widespread because of for-profit institutions. Through a variety of unethical practices, these for-profit institutions gave online learning a bad reputation. These negative assumptions persist today, though the quality and prevalence of online learning continues to improve at many high caliber institutions (such at Johns Hopkins).
A wide variety of learning tools exist today. I think that the most difficult aspect of working with technology is how quickly it changes. (This is also the most exciting aspect of working with technology!) I find I am often overwhelmed by the many different tools and techniques that everyone else seems to be fluent in. It is difficult to keep all of them straight because: 1.) there are so many possibilities and 2.) they are constantly changing, so as soon as you learn one new tool or technique, you already should have moved on the next, new-and-improved tool or technique that is out there. I often sit bak and think, "Where do I even start?"
This past year, I've taken it upon myself to become more well-versed in technology. I realized that there are two groups of people when it comes to technology:
1. The group who says, "Oh, I'm not good at technology, so I don't know this stuff and I need someone (younger) to help me."
2. The group who says, "I have no idea what this new thing is, so I'm going to learn about it."
I have transitioned from the first group to the second group with alacrity, though there are times when I still feel overwhelmed. The last time I felt overwhelmed? Our synchronous presentation where 15 different tools were explained, and I had never heard of most of them. I assume that the purpose of the assignment was to introduce us to all of these new tools, so I will fight my tendency to feel intimidated, and instead appreciate how much I learned, and how much more I know now that I participated in that event.
Sincerely,
Briggs
Think back over the last three weeks of the course and the subjects and our related discussions. We have explored the “History of Online Learning”, the “Strengths, Weaknesses, and Benefits”, and analyzed the various application that deliver online courses. In your mind, try to synthesize these concepts and the related discussions and activities. Reflect back on what they have meant to you. How have these affected you and which ones are the most important to you? How do these concepts and discussions connect to your professional career?
Distance education began before the Internet, via correspondence. Taking classes or obtaining a degree this way was tedious, as it involved the mailing of assignments, tests and projects between the learner and the teacher. With the advent and subsequent growth of the Internet, 'distance' learning has taken a back seat to e-learning at a distance or online learning.
Online learning became most widespread because of for-profit institutions. Through a variety of unethical practices, these for-profit institutions gave online learning a bad reputation. These negative assumptions persist today, though the quality and prevalence of online learning continues to improve at many high caliber institutions (such at Johns Hopkins).
A wide variety of learning tools exist today. I think that the most difficult aspect of working with technology is how quickly it changes. (This is also the most exciting aspect of working with technology!) I find I am often overwhelmed by the many different tools and techniques that everyone else seems to be fluent in. It is difficult to keep all of them straight because: 1.) there are so many possibilities and 2.) they are constantly changing, so as soon as you learn one new tool or technique, you already should have moved on the next, new-and-improved tool or technique that is out there. I often sit bak and think, "Where do I even start?"
This past year, I've taken it upon myself to become more well-versed in technology. I realized that there are two groups of people when it comes to technology:
1. The group who says, "Oh, I'm not good at technology, so I don't know this stuff and I need someone (younger) to help me."
2. The group who says, "I have no idea what this new thing is, so I'm going to learn about it."
I have transitioned from the first group to the second group with alacrity, though there are times when I still feel overwhelmed. The last time I felt overwhelmed? Our synchronous presentation where 15 different tools were explained, and I had never heard of most of them. I assume that the purpose of the assignment was to introduce us to all of these new tools, so I will fight my tendency to feel intimidated, and instead appreciate how much I learned, and how much more I know now that I participated in that event.
Sincerely,
Briggs
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