EDUC Module 2

Collaborative interaction has evolved through several things. In my opinion, email began online collaboration. From email we began to use video conferencing, chat, etc. These are the innovations that began the collaboration through technology. Now that we have online courses, we are able to collaborate through discussion boards. Discussion boards allow learners to exchange ideas, pose questions, interact with classmates, and instructors to interact with learners.

Collaboration interaction has occurred through cohort groups in online programs. With cohort groups, learners are assigned are sometimes assigned to a group that collaborates with one another to create assignments and provide feedback to each other. Collaborative interaction has evolved so much that at times there are more interactions with learners that there would be in a face to face classroom.

Blogging has become a major tool for collaborative interaction. Konrad Glogowski (2009) discussed how his students sought feedback from peers using blogs. The blogs became a mean of assessment for learners. Podcasting is also an emerging tool for collaborative interaction. Jo McLeay (2009) discusses how she uses podcasting as a collaborative tool by allowing leave thoughts, ideas, and stories. Through the collaboration, a radio show is made. Before reading and learning about collaborative interaction I never imagine blogging and podcasting as tool. Blogging was viewed as an online journal. Podcasting was viewed as a video. I didn’t think about the collaboration opportunities these innovations presented. With the many tools we have for collaborative interaction, collaboration will continue to grow.

Glogowski, Konrad. (2009, Feb. 20). Thoughts on assessment. Message posted to http://www.teachandlearn.ca/blog/2009/02/20/thoughts-on-assessment/

McLeay, Jo. (2009, Oct. 26). Great collaborative podcast. Message posted to http://theopenclassroom.blogspot.com/

EDUC 7105

EDUC 7105 Module 1 Blog Posting

What are your beliefs about how people learn best? What is the purpose of learning theory in educational technology?

I think people learn differently than others. All learners are individuals and progress and their own speed. However, I believe a great group of people learn by doing and practicing the skill. I personally learn best by doing. I don’t think there’s one method that will always work with learners. It is a combination of methods that will help learners to gain skills, visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic.

The learning theory in educational technology serves the purpose of providing various means of learning through educational technology. The learning theory provides that all students learn differently and provides effective means of instruction of education technology.

http://www.cathyandersonblog.com/?cat=45
Cathy Anderson discusses learning theory and Second life. She discusses the different characteristics of the learning theories in the Second Life.

http://hartwelleducation.blogspot.com/2010/04/learning-theories-and-instructional.html
Dylan Hartwell provides a group of websites that demonstrate behaviorist, cognitive, and constructivist principles.

Semple, A. (2000). Learning theories and their influence on the development and use of educational technologies. Australian Science Teachers Journal, 46(3). Use the Academic Search Premier database, and search using the article's title.

EDUC 7102

EDUC 7102 Module 1 Blog Posting

Simonson focuses on providing equivalent learning. Equivalent learning doesn’t mean every learner should learn the same nor does it mean that each learner should complete the same activities to meet a learning objective. Simonson believes that distance education instructors should provide learners with an experience enriched in technology. Technology is common to distance learners yet some online courses don’t integrate any more technology than a face to face classroom. Simonson focuses on provide a equivalent learning experience that accommodates the individual learner.

Moller, Huett, Foshay and Coleman focuses on the craft approach. The craft approach occurs when the teacher designs the online course according to what he/she has experienced in a face to face classroom. Setting up the infrastructure is vital to success (Ryan, Carlton, & Ali, 2004). The craft approach provides a distance education learning experience based on face to face classroom techniques. Some barriers that may occur with the craft approach are learners' intentions, society's expectations, training, and funding.

I agree with Simonson. Distance education learners should be challenged and met at their area of interest, technology. The course content and assignments should contain more technology. Integrating technology provides an equal learning experience. I also agree with the craft approach. I do believe some things from a face to face classroom should be incorporated in the distance learning experience. Communication and Collaboration is imperative in a distance learning environment. Cooperative learning is a type of collaboration. This is a learning strategy that is used frequently in the distance learning environment. There must be a balance between the face to face classroom and distance learning strategies incorporated in courses.

http://www.ablsc.com/distance-education/distance-education-trends/
This blog discusses the various ways distance education is evolving.

http://info.tegrity.com/
Jen Santaniello discusses the different technology tools that enhances distance education.

References
Huett, J., Moller, L., Foshay, W. & Coleman, C. (2008, September/October). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the Web (Part 3: K12). TechTrends, 52(5), 63–67.

Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008, May/June). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the Web (Part 1: Training and Development). TechTrends, 52(3), 70–75.

Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008, July/August). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the Web (Part 2: Higher Education). TechTrends, 52(4), 66–70.

Ryan, M., Carlton, K. H., & Ali, N. S. (2004, Mar/Apr). Reflections on the role of faculty in distance learning and changing pedagogies. Nursing Education Perspectives, 73-80.
Simonson, M. (2000). Making decisions: The use of electronic technology in online classes. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 84, 29–34.

: The use of electronic technology in online classes. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 84, 29–34.

Introduction

Hello,

My name is Deidre Buckhalter. I am currently enrolled in EDUC 7102 and EDUC 7105. I will use this blog to post assignments from these courses. I am looking forward to blogging.