Final Blog Spring 2018

Final Blog Spring 2018

So, we have reached the end of the semester and what a semester it is has been. I started this semester wondering if I would get frustrated with the assignments or get bored and found it has been nothing of the sort. On the contrary, we were very busy learning so many new things, or improving what we learned. 

One of the things that was pushed this semester was a digital portfolio. I had developed a digital portfolio in the past for my marketing work, but not for class. Digital portfolios have several purposes, including assessing the ways the student is learning. They also show what the student has developed and often shows how they have improved. They are becoming the norm when it comes to employment and allows a potential employer to see what they can do instead of just stating it. For an instructor, they can show how well the students are learning. A digital portfolio should showcase anything the student has worked on that they are proud of, especially a variety of projects, such as a PowerPoint Presentation or a video demonstration or a paper. For my portfolio this semester I plan to put my best work. I organized it, so I have a home page where I introduce myself and discuss me. Then I created sections such as my experience, my resume, links, and the work I created this semester. I am hoping to eventually incorporate my work in my former employers to show what I can do. 

Another important thing we learned are learning theories and a learning theory is best explained as explaining how people learn. People learn differently, and these theories explain why we learn the way we do. The learning theories are Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism. Behaviorism is explained as dealing with how people are conditioned to do something. Behavior is often moderated based on the results. Cognitivism is the way we store information in the brain and the way we retrieve it, along with teaching process and sequences. Constructivism relates to how people do things and experimenting is part of this theory. Each of them is used based on the needs of the class. For example, behaviorism would be great for a class such as business because it is results driven. Cognitivism would be good for a topic such as math or science that requires calculating and sequences. An example of a class using Constructivism Theory would be anything hands on, such as computer repair. It is important to know about theory because it helps create classes using the specific theory that works for each class. Using the correct theory will in turn help students learn better because it takes in consideration what theory works for each class. An instructor knowing this will help them explore which ways work for which topics and why. 

We talked about The Seven Principles of Effective [Undergraduate] education in the online environment, which are 1. encourage contact between students and faculty, 2. develop reciprocity and cooperation among students, 3. encourage active learning, 4. give prompt feedback, 5. emphasize time on task, 6. communicate high expectations, 7. respect diverse talents and ways of learning. Encouraging contact between students and instructors is important and can be accomplished by letting the students know they are there for them, including offering them several ways to contact them. Developing develop reciprocity and cooperation among students is accomplished by several ways, such as group activities. Encouraging active listening is a good way to do activities online such as creating videos. An instructor should give prompt feedback, so the student will know what they did good on and what needs to be improved, especially if the next assignment is connected to this. Communicating high expectations can be tricky but the student should know what is expected. Things need to be clear because some students read differently than read and this will be a problem. It is why a syllabus should always be created. Respecting diverse talent and ways of learning is also important because we all learn differently based on factors such as age, demographics, even the way we learn. The importance of these factors can’t be stressed enough because it allows a higher percentage of students to pass the class without struggling. It also allows the students to stay on equal or close to equal footing no matter their skills. Looking at these principles made me realize that online teaching is more than teaching, it is an alternative to helping students achieve their potential. For me, I am now considering using these in a way that will benefit all, such as giving the students alternative ways to do assignments, and not being afraid to contact me if they struggle.

Instructional strategies were next. I enjoyed this because I like learning new ways to communicate and how to help others communicate. There were several I liked, including learning contracts and case studies. I like learning contracts because they lay out specifically what is to be expected and the student must sign. Case studies requires the student to think about the past and their experiences, along with future experiences. The case study should fit the student’s academic level along with their interests. It can be used as a group effort, or as an individual project. I also talking about emerging technology, such as Google Maps and Slide Share. I like the idea of combining a case study and using Google Maps. As an instructor it is important to keep up with technological trends because students often learn better with these but also because if it is a technology they are familiar with they will feel more comfortable. It also goes back to the idea that everyone learns differently and this way the instructor provides the information in several formats and it might allow the students to bring the homework with them anywhere they go. Of course, one thing that needs to be considered is finding the correct resources. I found several websites that had great information that I ended up saving for future classes. One of those is the Instituto Cervantes because of their information for Spanish teachers. Even if I don’t become a Spanish instructor it is great if I work with those who speak Spanish. 

If I had to say there was a theme with this class I would say it is “take your students’ needs in consideration” I enjoyed chatted about various ways we can help students and taking their needs in consideration. I like the ideas of creating multiple platforms for learning, including articles, videos, audio, even projects for them to do. I like the idea of learning new ways to teach, including Google Maps or Slide Share. I am planning to use props such as case studies and learning contracts for my teaching and will clearly state what the learning objectives are. I am looking forward in learning more technologies and theories on how to teach students because not only will it make them better students, but I will be a better instructor. Technology is evolving and there will no doubt be technology available that is not known, and a good instructor keeps up with trends. After all, there was a time when computers were not at homes and phones had cords and this if foreign to current students. We may not know what the future holds but it will be interesting for the future of education.