tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255286420060182997.post6399689899946679620..comments2013-08-17T05:32:11.587-07:00Comments on Instructional Design - Learning Technologies: Lions, Technology, and Multimedia ..."Oh My!"Tischannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379064915528533202noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255286420060182997.post-24499593659916331172013-06-16T16:38:41.354-07:002013-06-16T16:38:41.354-07:00Thanks for the questions Steven, and funding / bud...Thanks for the questions Steven, and funding / budgets are always a consideration in the implementation of technology. In my organization, we have a learning technology department and an information technology department. The LT manages the use of the technology in the classroom, while the IT group purchases and supports the devices to keep them running. In the past, schools talked to IT to get "stuff" and then asked for training from our group. In some instances, once they were trained on what they requested, the school realized that it was not the best technology for their instructional purposes. A technology plan for the district has just been written that will hopefully bring everyone on board with planning the instructional goals first, then looking at the tools and resources. A great site for considering technology in education (as well as instructional strategies and intervention programs) is http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/. This site looks at the data on the use of technology, software and programs.Tischannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01379064915528533202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255286420060182997.post-80080568370016177882013-06-16T16:31:15.207-07:002013-06-16T16:31:15.207-07:00Sonia,
Great questions! From my experience build...Sonia,<br /><br />Great questions! From my experience building courses, and taking courses online, I find the blogs to be a useful tool. In my district we have begun Project Based Learning through the Buck Institute (BIE.org). I love project based learning because it challenges students to solve real world challenges with creativity, collaboration, technology, and then present their work to an authentic audience. While the discussion boards, blogs, and wikis in Blackboard© provide similar functionality; the blog assignments give us the ability to show our work outside of the course. As I look back at postings from my blog and those of our classmates, it is great to read past submissions. This would not be possible in Blackboard© since that material is stored in an archived class. Also, through the blog work, I have developed an iGoogle page with blogs from experts in the field. Tischannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01379064915528533202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255286420060182997.post-84675104488693421492013-06-09T19:11:46.464-07:002013-06-09T19:11:46.464-07:00Hi Tisch,
You mentioned, "There is a constan...Hi Tisch,<br /><br />You mentioned, "There is a constant battle between the use of technology for the sake of technology and the careful design and implementation of technology to enhance learning." That's a great thought. Do you have any examples of the "battle" between technology and the design/implementation? At my organization a recent battle we had was the priority and cost of implementation of technology. We have two systems that we needed to update. One was more crucial/urgent to get updated but cost signifcantly more and would take much longer to implement but was a top priority. As a result other technology updates would be pushed back. The other item was not as crucial but could be implemented and cost much less. When presented with a situation like that, what would you do Tisch?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00877456614955594314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1255286420060182997.post-30242598892242391162013-06-09T18:55:30.579-07:002013-06-09T18:55:30.579-07:00Hi Hilary
I love your video introduction. It enga...Hi Hilary<br />I love your video introduction. It engaged my interest in reading your blog. What I liked the most is that the video relates to the subject you are speaking about. I am getting ideas from you for my next posting. I totally agree with you when you say, “an online instructor must carefully plan and design the use of technology as a tool to meet a desired student outcome”. With all the technology created and within our reach, we can easily fall into a “wondering trap” in trying to use too many tools at the same time creating confusion in our students. For example, if the school course management system already provides methods of discussions, why asking students to blog and write discussion postings? Maybe I am wrong about this, but in my opinion it is an overkill. I think a blog should be used for its intended purpose of mass communication of our thoughts and ideas and the discussion boards in the school management systems to submit our class discussions. I do not think I would use blogs and discussion postings simultaneously. I find myself lost sometimes going from one site to another to accomplish a similar task. What are your thoughts? In selecting technology for an online course, we should select the tools that will help students accomplish activities already planned in the learning goals section of each week. Like you said, “technology alone is not the answer” it is a vehicle used to drive the objectives to ensure students learn. It is very important not to let the course ride alone on technology because what keeps students motivated early and throughout the course is “social and cognitive presence” (Boettcher, J., Conrad, R., 2010, p. 102) of the instructor. In the early phase of the course, the instructor begins with introductions and sometimes icebreaker activities to get students motivated to begin the class and to work together and learning from each other. Even after the course has begun, teaching presence is imperative to keep students focused in the subsequent activities. Technology helps teachers communicate with students and vice-versa; therefore, a well-planned course with the right selection of technology helps students feel comfortable in the learning environment they are in.<br />Works Cited<br />Boettcher, J., Conrad, R. (2010). Chapter 6: Phase Two: What's Happening, Themes, and Tools. In Online Teaching Survival Guide, Simple and Practical Pedagogical Tips (pp. 100-108). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. A Wiley Imprint.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10905161500863096413noreply@blogger.com