Blog #4, June 30, 2014
June is almost over and in this last week or
so we have explored more on learning theory and course design and development.
Chapter 5 in our book had me reading about
instructional design systems models such as ADDIE (Analysis, Development,
Implement and Evaluate) and ISD (Instructional Systems Design). So many
acronyms in DE! Planning is emphasized
in ISD and I see why it is a monumental job for teachers to plan all their
teaching strategies. I found the different stages in instructional design easy
to follow (for a change!) and understand that all of the components of the
students required performance are part of this stage. I drifted back to Gagne
and Bloom and their objectives. The importance of the right development team
came to mind and I think the course team model is much more effective than the
author-editor model, especially in distance education. I realize the costs
involved, and the time to prepare can be very expensive and lengthy. The
information on creating lessons gave me good insight into how the work breaks
down into segments. This will help me on my next paper, as well as the piece on
multimedia tools. Designing student participation is more involved than I
anticipated, but I was happy for the information and tips this week from this
chapter. Training teachers in using instructional design models remains
extremely important.
We also got into our team assignment or Wiki
exercise. Everyone in my group is great and so far it is a good experience. We
have a lot done already, so I am feeling pretty good about my first wiki
exercise. Another tool we are learning, so helpful.
We participated in discussions on learning
theory, instructional design and online teaching philosophies, based on the
articles by Sangra and Kanuka I talked about how I personally agree that designers
and faculty need to fully comprehend the impact
of using the various modes of delivery when class designs are utilizing the most
up to date technologies. We need to be able to adapt strategies to facilitating,
learning, or being a facilitator. I have my views on e-technology philosophy. I
like the combination of uses determinism and social determinism. Using
technology as a “tool” to learn, not using technology to control learning. That
is something that stuck with me from Kanuka’s chapter where she talked about an
analogy by Jonassen. The analogy is a carpenter uses his tools to build, the
tools do not control the carpenter.
Kanuka, H. (2008). "Understanding
eLearning Technologies in Practice through Philosophies-in-Practice" from The Theory and Practice of Online
Learning (online
book). pp. 91-118