Module 10: Final Blog

Introduction

The class subject I’ll be teaching is Intro to Spanish. The course will be open to all college students interested in learning a second language that will benefit them throughout the course of their lives. By learning a second language, students will become more marketable in their job search and career. Students will be able to learn the basics of Spanish such as the alphabet, numbers, grammar, pronunciation and word processing. The course itself will be online and taught per quarter. With the use of tools such as Blackboard, YouTube, PowerPoint, SlideShare, Blog, Skype and Fuze, students will be able to learn and have fun with the course materials.

Criterion 1: Develop rapport while providing a clear outline of the course.

The first criterion I would like to incorporate would be to ask students to engage in a first day ice breaker activity followed by a detailed outline of the course. For example, I would provide students with a brief background of myself and ask students to do the same as part of a group discussion. I would then encourage students to review the course syllabus, grading scale, assignments, due dates and instructor contact information and to address any questions/concerns immediately. The goal for this would be to allow students to familiarize themselves with the instructor and their peers while learning the course goals and expectations.

Justification for Criterion 1

Since e-learning courses can be somewhat of a challenge for some students due to the lack of community, I have to incorporate various factors to assist students’ success. Social presence and cognitive presence alike must be incorporated in my course to ensure students are getting the maximum learning experience. For example, students will be placed in groups of 2 and will be required to respond to their team member and describe what they’ve learned for that week and describe something they are having a hard time understanding. The reason behind this would be to allow students to engage with one another, but also so that students can maintain a level of communication, critical thinking skills and to help one another be successful.

Learning a new language like Spanish can be challenging. Therefore students have to be able to exercise all of their resources available to them which not only includes that of their peers through social and cognitive presence, but also that of teaching presence by their instructors. “Therefore, we do not focus specifically on the social and cognitive elements themselves but on the roles of a teacher or the actual functions a teacher must perform to create and maintain a dynamic learning environment.” (Garrison, 2011).

Criterion 2: Applying the three learning theories: Behaviorism, Cognitivism and Constructivism.

The second criterion I would like to incorporate would be creativity and clarity when applying the three learning theories. Since no two students think, interpret information or learn the same, I would have to factor in all three learning theories into the course to accommodate all students. With behaviorism focusing more on the response, cognitivism focusing more on interpretation and constructivism focusing on creativity, providing students with balance will be key.

Justification of Criterion 2

“Learning is a complex process that has generated numerous interpretations and theories of how it is effectively accomplished.” (Ertmer & Newby, 1993 p.51) One way to accomplish this would be to allow students to share their ideas. There would be no right or wrong answers in doing so and the purpose of this would be to allow students to learn from one another in accordance with the course materials. I believe in doing so, this will allow students to collaborate and also take bits and pieces of information from each learning theory and apply them in their work.

Criterion 3: Incorporating instructional technologies.

The third criterion I want to discuss is incorporating instructional technologies such as Web 2.0, social media and mobile learning. Students in an e-learning environment need to be able to utilize every technology based tool available to them. This not only allows students to access the course at any given time, but it also allows students to remain up to date and in touch with the instructor and their peers. One benefit of incorporating instructional technologies is that it “promotes communication and facilitates learning”. (Daher & Lazarevic, 2014)

Justification for Criterion 3

Students need to be able to communicate and connect with the instructor and their peers in an e-learning course. One reason why is because students need to be able to feel a sense of community and belonging. How a student learns and what a student learns is crucial in an e-learning environment. Therefore, incorporating instructional technologies is important for both the students and the instructor. The use of Blackboard, Blog and Skype are just a few of the tools that will allow students and instructors to develop and maintain an open forum of communication, teaching and learning. Garrison (2011, p. 73) went on to state that “e-learning is not about technology, it is about flexibility, connectivity, and community.

Criterion 4: Incorporating activities and strategies for effective e-learning.

The fourth criterion I would like to discuss is incorporating activities and strategies for effective e-learning. Activities would include discussions, read and respond, Q&A, and quizzes via Blackboard. In addition to this, weekly reviews in a Blog would also be required so that students can reflect on their work and the work of their peers. Students would also be encouraged to utilize tools such as SlideShare and PowerPoint in an effort to provide as much visual life to their work as possible.

Justification for Criterion 4

Incorporating activities and strategies for effective e-learning are two-fold. This will serve as a way for the instructor to bring students together in a fun and productive way. Second, students will be able to incorporate course materials and enhance their learning when they interact with their peers as they will increase their participation, communication and experiences throughout the course. “Much like the activities and games used in traditional classroom training, e-learning activities can be used by sharing experiences, benefiting from team learning, increasing participation, or encouraging learners to develop constructive online relationships throughout the course”. (Watkins, 2014)

Criterion 5: Maintain student motivation to succeed.

The fifth criterion I want to discuss is maintain student motivation to succeed in an e-learning course. Since e-learning allows students’ academic freedom and endless flexibility, instructors need to be able to keep students on task and on track to being successful. One way an instructor can do this is by sending out weekly reminders, providing prompt and constructive feedback and by being easily accessible. In doing so, this will encourage students to want to produce quality work as they know the instructor is in fact paying attention and will ultimately be the deciding factor on how serious they’re taking the course.

Justification for Criterion 5

Students want to be able to relate to what they’re learning. This will obtain and retain their attention and eagerness to learn. Additionally, students want to feel a sense of satisfaction in an e-learning course as this too will serve as a motivator to keep them engaged and interested in the course itself. “Because the sense of teaching presence, which structuralizes learning content, encourages the learner’s continual participation and facilitates discourse, it can lead learners to continue meaningful learning.” (Joo, Joung &Kim, 2013)

Conclusion

In conclusion, including all five of the above mentioned criterion will provide my students with the best possible learning experience I can provide in my opinion. Developing rapport and including all three learning theories will engage students and the instructor to maintain an open line of communication so that everyone can learn from one another while applying critical thinking skills. Incorporating instructional technology and activities and strategies for effective e-learning will give students the chance to learn about new tools available to them that are unrestricted. It is my belief this will motivate students to complete assignments in a fun way that is easy for both the instructor and the students. My students will not only be learning, but they will also be automatically applying all of the five criterion without my having to ask them directly to do so. Last, if all of these criterion are executed effectively, I have no doubt the students will have a problem being successful in my online course.

References

Cook, R. , Ley, K. , Crawford, C. , & Warner, A. (2009). Motivators and inhibitors for

university faculty in distance and e-learning. British Journal of Educational

            Technology, 40(1), 149-163.

Daher, T. , & Lazarevic, B. (2014). Emerging instructional technologies: Exploring the

extent of faculty use of web 2.0 tools at a midwestern community college.

TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, 58(6), 42-50.

Ertmer, P. & Newby, T. (1993) ‘Behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism: comparing

critical features from an instructional design perspective’, Performance

Improvement Quarterly, 6(4): 50-72

Garrison, D. R. (2011). E – Learning in the 21st century (2nd ed.). New York: Routledge.

Joo, Y. , Joung, S. , & Kim, E. (2013). Structural relationships among e-learners’ sense

of presence, usage, flow, satisfaction, and persistence. Journal of Educational

            Technology & Society, 16(2), 310-324.

Koval, M. (2013). Step away from the syllabus: Engaging students on the first day of

legal environment. Journal of Legal Studies Education, 30(1), 179-194.

Watkins, R. (2014). Developing e-learning activities. Distance Learning, 11(4), 62-64.

1. Did you fulfill the requirement to make your first post no later than Wednesday in the discussion? Yes
2. Did you fulfill the requirement to post at least three times in each discussion topic between Monday and Friday? Yes
3. Did you fulfill the requirement to post the answers to the prompts in your blog no later than Sunday? Yes
4. Did you fulfill the requirement to reply at least two classmates’ blogs on Saturday/Sunday? Yes
5. Quote your best post(s) from the week and explain why you feel these are the best.

“Students need to receive suggestions about how they can improve their performance. It is best practice if online instructors can structure assignments for students to respond in different ways. This will help to respect the diverse talents of students, motivate them to participate hence make online learning interesting.”- By Carolyne Obonyo.

The reason why I chose this as my best post from the week is because I have taken several online courses and every experience has been slightly different. I have found that when an instructor provides feedback rather than just a grade for example, I have wanted to do better or make changes. This makes online learning interesting because it allows students to reflect on their work and adjust if/when necessary.

1. Quote several of the best posts from other students. Explain why you chose the ones you present.

“This unpreparedness runs the gamut from lack of commitment, inability to manage their time, skill deficiencies in the use of hardware and software applications, and lack of experience using Course Management Systems.”- by Michael Verhasselt.

The reason why I chose this as one of the best posts is because I firmly agree with this statement. I believe there are some students who may be under the impression that online courses are more lax than face-to-face courses therefore they sign-up for these courses not knowing what they’re getting themselves into. When this happens, this takes away the opportunity for students who are well prepared for an online course.

1. What did you learn in the discussion this week that will be useful to you or that changes the way you view something?

I learned that there is no right or wrong way of developing an online course. I learned that in order for an online course to be successful for both the instructor and the students, all parties have to be well educated in what they’re getting themselves into. The instructor must be willing to be an active participant in the course by providing feedback, making themselves easily accessible, and providing clear expectations. Students must be willing to learn, participate and engage in the course.

Module 9

Summarize this week’s discussions. Use this template to structure your production:

1. Did you fulfill the requirement to make your first post no later than Wednesday in the discussion? yes
2. Did you fulfill the requirement to post at least three times in each discussion topic between Monday and Friday? yes
3. Did you fulfill the requirement to post the answers to the prompts in your blog no later than Sunday? yes
4. Quote your best post(s) from the week and explain why you feel these are the best. “One of the key competencies listed in the Cal State Fullerton is the ability to utilize reflective listening skills, help others and give direction. I think that these qualities are very important to be a successful e learning practitioner because one needs to have a high level of self-awareness when working in a team environment and contribute to the overall success of the team.” By John Penn.

The reason why I chose this post as the best from this week is because I truly believe in order for anyone to do their job and do it well they must be able to display an interest in what it is they are doing. Being an effective listener and contributor not only benefit the employee, however this will also affect the employer, customers, students, etc.

1. Quote several of the best posts from other students. Explain why you chose the ones you present. “Critical thinking skills in e-learning is important to successfully perform this job. Decision making and problem solving require gathering reliable information, evaluating the information for a variety of solutions and selecting the most appropriate option based on the criteria and situation. Although the ability to solve problems and make appropriate decisions are critical in any job, people with these skills are especially helpful in customer service positions.” By Jingyu Yang.

The reason why I chose this post as one of the best from this week because it can apply to anyone no matter what the job title may be.

1. What did you learn in the discussion this week that will be useful to you or that changes the way you view something? One thing I learned this week that will be useful to me is the difference between having a Bachelor or Master degree when seeking employment. Many employers prefer for people to have a Master’s degree. Although I understand the importance and difference between the two degrees, I don’t believe someone with a Bachelor’s degree should be in the shadow of someone with a Master’s degree because I feel this sends a message that one is better than the other.

Module 8: Various Issues in E-Learning

1. Discuss what you learned this week about accessibility, copyright, and learning objects. Summarize key issues on the three topics about which you learned, in 150 words each.

Accessibility: Accessibility in an e-learning environment is important because there are students with disabilities who require additional assistance outside of the normal mode of instruction. When this occurs, educators, schools, institutions and even employers are obligated to make necessary adjustments and accommodations in an effort to ensure equal access and opportunity. One key issue I learned about accessibility is the relation it has to adult education and literacy and those with disabilities. Making information easily accessible and providing all students with an equal opportunity to learn is especially important because we have to make sure all students are receiving a maximum learning experience. There are certain adjustments and accommodations that may be needed and should be granted. By law, students with disabilities are entitled to receiving necessary accommodations to ensure they are receiving equal access to an education. ADA protects those with disabilities and prohibits discrimination based on a disability. ADA also prohibits denial access in any public entity such as place of employment.

Copyright: Some of the key things I learned about copyright included who can claim a copyright, the types of works that are protected, what isn’t protected, how long a copyright protection endures and copyright registration to name a few. There are so many steps an author must take to ensure their work is protected legally. Going a step further, there are also certain procedures that apply to educators and librarians who wish to reproduce copyrighted works. For example, if an educator or librarian wishes to reproduce copyrighted work, they can do by making photocopies or they can make phonorecords. As long as the copyrighted works are being used for teaching purposes, fair use would then apply making it easier for educators to utilize copyrighted work.  This may be somewhat difficult to adhere to and/or monitor in an e-learning environment due to the availability of copyrighted work on the Internet especially if one isn’t aware if the work they are using is copyrighted or not.

Learning Objects: Learning objects such as digital resources is extremely important as they are the basis that support e-learning. Materials can be created and can include digital or non-digital forms of learning. With all of the advancements in technology, the opportunities for learning objects are endless. Content can be broken down with learning objects which will allow students to learn material at their own pace, a little at a time. In this instance, materials such as templates could be designed and reused to ensure and enrich the overall learning and teaching experiences.

2. Summarize this week’s discussions. Use this template to structure your production:

1. Did you fulfill the requirement to make your first post no later than Wednesday in the discussion? yes
2. Did you fulfill the requirement to post at least three times in each discussion topic between Monday and Friday? yes
3. Did you fulfill the requirement to post the answers to the prompts in your blog no later than Sunday? yes
4. Did you fulfill the requirement to reply at least two classmates’ blogs on Saturday/Sunday? yes
5. Quote your best post(s) from the week and explain why you feel these are the best.

“I understand learning objects to be a tool that instructional designers can create, possibly in the form of a template, that could be used and re-used regardless of the instruction that is being delivered.” By Antonio Mendoza. The reason why I chose this as the best post of the week is because it’s direct and to the point.

1. Quote several of the best posts from other students. Explain why you chose the ones you present. “Copyright and fair-use in the digital age can be especially confusing. Today, information in all formats is shared, posted, and re-posted without forethought.” By Lorraine Gersitz. The reason why I chose this as a best post is because I agree in that copyright and fair-use in the digital age today is especially complex and difficult to balance. Technology is advancing more and more every day making any and all information accessible and available online. Unless someone truly educates themselves about copyright and fair-use, I could understand how one could inadvertently use the work of someone else without fully knowing what they are doing is wrong.
2. What did you learn in the discussion this week that will be useful to you or that changes the way you view something? One thing I learned this week was about making adjustments and accommodations for those with disabilities. It really changes the way I view myself and others and has served as a reminder to myself how fortunate I am to be able to have equal access to an education. It’s nice to know that there are laws and programs in place to protect and assist those who may require that extra helping hand.

Module 8:

1. Discuss what you learned this week about accessibility, copyright, and learning objects. Summarize key issues on the three topics about which you learned, in 150 words each.

Accessibility: Accessibility in an e-learning environment is important because there are students with disabilities who require additional assistance outside of the normal mode of instruction. When this occurs, educators, schools, institutions and even employers are obligated to make necessary adjustments and accommodations in an effort to ensure equal access and opportunity. One key issue I learned about accessibility is the relation it has to adult education and literacy and those with disabilities. Making information easily accessible and providing all students with an equal opportunity to learn is especially important because we have to make sure all students are receiving a maximum learning experience. There are certain adjustments and accommodations that may be needed and should be granted. By law, students with disabilities are entitled to receiving necessary accommodations to ensure they are receiving equal access to an education. ADA protects those with disabilities and prohibits discrimination based on a disability. ADA also prohibits denial access in any public entity such as place of employment.

Copyright: Some of the key things I learned about copyright included who can claim a copyright, the types of works that are protected, what isn’t protected, how long a copyright protection endures and copyright registration to name a few. There are so many steps an author must take to ensure their work is protected legally. Going a step further, there are also certain procedures that apply to educators and librarians who wish to reproduce copyrighted works. For example, if an educator or librarian wishes to reproduce copyrighted work, they can do by making photocopies or they can make phonorecords. As long as the copyrighted works are being used for teaching purposes, fair use would then apply making it easier for educators to utilize copyrighted work.  This may be somewhat difficult to adhere to and/or monitor in an e-learning environment due to the availability of copyrighted work on the Internet especially if one isn’t aware if the work they are using is copyrighted or not.

Learning Objects: Learning objects such as digital resources is extremely important as they are the basis that support e-learning. Materials can be created and can include digital or non-digital forms of learning. With all of the advancements in technology, the opportunities for learning objects are endless. Content can be broken down with learning objects which will allow students to learn material at their own pace, a little at a time. In this instance, materials such as templates could be designed and reused to ensure and enrich the overall learning and teaching experiences.

2. Summarize this week’s discussions. Use this template to structure your production:

1. Did you fulfill the requirement to make your first post no later than Wednesday in the discussion? yes
2. Did you fulfill the requirement to post at least three times in each discussion topic between Monday and Friday? yes
3. Did you fulfill the requirement to post the answers to the prompts in your blog no later than Sunday? yes
4. Did you fulfill the requirement to reply at least two classmates’ blogs on Saturday/Sunday? yes
5. Quote your best post(s) from the week and explain why you feel these are the best.

“I understand learning objects to be a tool that instructional designers can create, possibly in the form of a template, that could be used and re-used regardless of the instruction that is being delivered.” By Antonio Mendoza. The reason why I chose this as the best post of the week is because it’s direct and to the point.

1. Quote several of the best posts from other students. Explain why you chose the ones you present. “Copyright and fair-use in the digital age can be especially confusing. Today, information in all formats is shared, posted, and re-posted without forethought.” By Lorraine Gersitz. The reason why I chose this as a best post is because I agree in that copyright and fair-use in the digital age today is especially complex and difficult to balance. Technology is advancing more and more every day making any and all information accessible and available online. Unless someone truly educates themselves about copyright and fair-use, I could understand how one could inadvertently use the work of someone else without fully knowing what they are doing is wrong.
2. What did you learn in the discussion this week that will be useful to you or that changes the way you view something? One thing I learned this week was about making adjustments and accommodations for those with disabilities. It really changes the way I view myself and others and has served as a reminder to myself how fortunate I am to be able to have equal access to an education. It’s nice to know that there are laws and programs in place to protect and assist those who may require that extra helping hand.

Module 7: Research Findings in E-Learning/Distance Learning

Title

E-Learning versus Face-to-Face Learning

Introduction

When students decide to enroll in an e-learning course versus a face-to-face course, very seldom do we consider the reasons why. Although there are many benefits from taking e-learning courses, there are equally as many benefits from taking a face-to-face course. According to Oakes (2002), “Whenever I see a benefits list of e-learning, it’s common to see “time and place independent” as one of the primary value propositions.” The question then is not whether one mode of instruction is better than the other, but instead what motivates students to choose e-learning over face-to-face learning. Since there are many similarities between e-learning and face-to-face learning, there are also many differences that go beyond the environment in which they are taught.

Literature Review

Since e-learning courses are becoming more popular with the advances of technology, students are finding that e-learning is more convenient for various reasons. In addition to the popularity and convenience of e-learning, motivation and the accessibility to e-learning courses are endless. Students have the ability to access course materials on their smartphones, tablets, laptops and more. According to Chaiprasurt & Esichaikul (2013) “Mobile learning gives students the ability to interact with their instructors and fellow learners immediately-at any time and place.” This in turn allows students to interact with one another and with instructors in a collaborative setting. Although we can’t say for certain what motivates students to choose e-learning over face-to-face learning, the more tools a student has, and the better chances the student will have to be successful.

E-learning and face-to-face learning are much more similar than expected. To begin, one of the differences and perhaps the most obvious difference between an e-learning course and face-to-face learning is the environment itself. Although students aren’t physically interacting with one another in the same room, they are still required to correspond with one another and share information virtually. According to Oakes (2002), “A virtual classroom conceptually offers the same exact learning environment as a real classroom except that the participants don’t need to get together physically in one place.”

Conclusion

Based on the above research findings, it’s clear that e-learning and face-to-face learning are both valid in their own right. There is no right or wrong way to learn material. Student motivation and desire to learn is what will be the deciding factor in one’s success. With that being said, it is safe to say that e-learning versus face-to-face learning is not one sided and both have their advantages and disadvantages.

References

Chaiprasurt, Chantorn1, and Vatcharaporn1 Esichaikul. 2013. “Enhancing Motivation in

Online Courses with Mobile Communication Tool Support: A Comparative

Study.” International Review Of Research In Open & Distance Learning 14, no.

3: 377-400. OmniFile Full Text Mega (H.W. Wilson), EBSCOhost (accessed

March 2, 2015).

Oates, K., & Rengarajan, R. (2002). Synching up with Virtual Classrooms. E-Learning.

T+D, 56(9), 57-60.

1. Did you fulfill the requirement to make your first post no later than Wednesday in the discussion? Yes
2. Did you fulfill the requirement to post at least three times in each discussion topic between Monday and Friday? Yes
3. Did you fulfill the requirement to post the answers to the prompts in your blog no later than Sunday? Yes
4. Did you fulfill the requirement to reply at least three classmates’ blogs on Saturday/Sunday? Yes
5. Quote your best post(s) from the week and explain why you feel these are the best.

“How can an educator manage and monitor student engagement in an E-learning environment?” (Antonio Mendoza). The reason why I chose this as my favorite post is because I truly believe that educators need to manage and monitor student engagement whether or not it’s an e-learning environment. Educators and students alike can learn a lot from another when all parties are actively involved and invested in course materials.

1. Quote several of the best posts from other students. Explain why you chose the ones you present.

“I believe students’ learning environments play a large role in shaping students’ attitudes.” (Fernando Delgadillo). The reason why I chose this as a great post is because although we may not realize it, our environment and everything going on around us affects every aspect of our lives. This in turn can cause students to have a negative attitude or low expectations. You don’t want to go into anything having doubts, however sometimes this is out of our control and is decided by our environment.

1. What did you learn in the discussion this week that will be useful to you or that changes the way you view something? The most significant thing I learned this week is what a literature review is and how to write one. I don’t think I have ever written a literature review prior to this course. Writing a literature review helped me to understand the difference between analyzing literature as opposed to just reading literature.

Module 4: Utilyzing Social, Cognitive and Teaching Presence.

1. Assume you are an e-learning instructor. How can you apply the CoI framework when you design and deliver/teach your course? Be specific.

• Course Title: Foundations of Social Work
• Content/Topics: Community Perspectives
• Target Audience: Undergraduate Students
• Delivery Format: Online
• Technology Tools: Blackboard
• Course Design:

• Social Presence:

• Develop social presence cues to encourage the students to take action.

• Teaching Presence:

• Develop surveys and other activities that would require students to obtain and provide feedback.

• Teaching Presence:

• I would provide students with a ‘cheat sheet’ of important dates and a breakdown of assignments.

• Combination of Social, Cognitive and Teaching Presences (if any):

• Developing group discussions.

• Course Delivery:

• Social Presence:

• Encouraging students to participate in class discussions in addition to starting new threads on a topic of their choice.

• Cognitive Presence:

• Class discussions would be required to include an outside source related to the class materials.

• Teaching Presence:

• Provide students feedback upon grading of assignments and maintaining open communication via email, Blackboard and in person meetings by appointment.

• Combination of Social, Cognitive, and Teaching Presence (if any):

• Encouraging students to participate in group discussions by sharing what they feel has been effective and least effective and what could be changed or done differently.

2. Summarize this week’s discussions. Use this template to structure your production:
3. Did you fulfill the requirement to make your first post in the discussion no later than Wednesday? Yes
4. Did you fulfill the requirement to post at least three times in each discussion topic between Monday and Friday? Yes
5. Did you fulfill the requirement to post the answer to the prompts in your blog no later than Sunday (Jan 18)? Yes
6. Did you fulfill the requirement to reply at least three classmates’ blogs on Saturday and/or Sunday? Yes
7. Quote your best post(s) from the week and explain why you feel these are the best.

My favorite post from this week was by Aeman Alabuod. The reason why is because I felt the course title he chose “Interviewing Skills” was really great and unique because it would benefit so many people. Interviewing skills isn’t something that generally comes natural to people and it would be a great way for people to see firsthand how they can improve.

1. Quote several of the best posts from other students. Explain why you chose the ones you present.

“Because I really like Problem-Based Learning, students can pose some problems they may have encountered or create scenarios where diversity plays a part within our society today. Students can use open-ended scenarios that will lead to further discussion and critical thinking.” (Gayle Henry). I chose this post because I feel that we can all learn something from one another since we are all unique.

“Sets clear expectations for students; is specific about how learners are to be “present.”” (Laurie Hanna). The reason why I chose this post is because I believe when teachers let students know what it is they are expecting upfront and provides specific instructions, it reduces the amount of confusion and allows students to feel comfortable and confident in their work.

1. What did you learn in the discussion this week that will be useful to you or that changes the way you view something?

I learned that students and teachers alike need to both make themselves available and must be willing to participate in communicating with one another. Whether it’s to discuss an assignment, feedback, grading or course materials, there has to be a strong sense of communication. Like in any relationship, if the communication is not there, you can’t expect to achieve maximum results.

Learning Theories: Module 3

1. Which learning theory do you think leads to students’ best learning? Why do you think that?

I believe the learning theory that leads to student’s best learning is the cognitivist learning theory. The reason why is because we are constantly watching, listening and mimicking what we see and hear to an extent. Since most of us perceive and interpret information differently, it’s important to learn why and how this occurs. More importantly, we have to be aware of this and be able to find a happy medium.

2. Assume you are an e-learning instructor. Create an e-learning instruction/activity (fully online or hybrid), applying your theory in a ‘real’ online education setting. In the description of the activity, include the following information:

• Course Title: Intro to Spanish
• Content/Topics: Alphabet, Numbers, Pronunciation.
• Target Audience: High School Students
• Delivery Format: Online
• Technology Tools: Computer/Laptop/IPad, PowerPoints, video recordings, voice recordings and the internet.
• Activity: I would require students use a computer/laptop/IPad to access the course. Once students can access the course, I would have a weekly set of numbers and letters that we would focus on for that week. In addition to this, there would be a corresponding PowerPoint and video/voice recording(s) that would teach the proper pronunciation and use of the numbers/letters in Spanish. Students would then be required to take a weekly quiz where they would have to listen to recordings and confirm the correct pronunciation of that week’s numbers/letters. The purpose of the weekly quiz would be a reinforcement the students are learning the material.

3. Summarize this week’s discussions. Use this template to structure your production:

This week’s discussions focused on the different learning theories and the settings in which they apply.

4. Did you fulfill the requirement to make your first post no later than Wednesday in the discussion?

Yes

5. Did you fulfill the requirement to post at least three times in each discussion topic any time Monday through Friday?

Yes

6. Did you fulfill the requirement to post the answer to the prompts in your blog no later than Sunday (Jan 18)?

Yes

7. Did you fulfill the requirement to reply at least three classmates’ blogs during Saturday and Sunday?

Yes

5. Quote your best post(s) from the week and explain why you feel these are the best.

“I believe people learn best when they are in a learning environment that supports and motivates the individuals to be challenged and interested in learning.” (Charles Borden).

The reason why I chose this quote as the best post from the week is because I firmly agree with this statement. I personally can relate as I prefer a challenge when learning as I find this keeps me interested in the course.

6. Quote several of the best posts from other students. Explain why you chose the ones you present.

“I believe students learn best through collaboration with classmates and professors.” (Fernando Delgadillo).

The main reason why I chose this post as one of the best from this week is because there is a lot for students to learn from other students/classmates.

What did you learn in the discussion this week that will be useful to you or that changes the way you view something?

I learned that there is no one ‘right way’ to learn. Learning environments are not the same for everyone and what may work for one student, may not necessarily work for another which is ok. What matters is that we’re all able to come to a somewhat similar conclusion to appreciate the bigger picture.

Module 2: Trends, History and Definition of E-Learning.

1. Choose one sector that most interests you – K-12, Higher Education, Business/Industry, etc. (as discussed previously). Discuss key trends in e-learning in the sector of your choice. You may explain the kinds of e-learning courses offered and the technology tools most commonly used for course delivery in this sector.

In Social Work, the types of courses being offered online is growing as seen in the Pathways Program offered at CSUSB. If it weren’t for the Pathways Program, I do not know how I’d be able to find the time to take certain Social Work courses such as SW300A and SW300B due to my work & family schedule. According to The Pathways Program offers online or distance education courses and hybrid or blended courses. Tools such as Blackboard, Moodle & Fuze allow students to submit their work, review course materials and schedule a meeting with the professors if necessary.

2. Summarize this week’s discussions. Use this template to structure your production: Did you fulfill the requirement to make your first post in the discussion no later than Wednesday?

This week’s discussion was centered on defining the differences between e-learning, online learning, blended learning and distance learning. In addition to this, we learned about the history of distance education. I was successful in completing my first post in the discussion no later than Wednesday.

Did you fulfill the requirement to post at least three times in each discussion topic between Monday and Friday?

Yes, I was able to post at least three times in each discussion topic between Monday and Friday.

Did you fulfill the requirement to post the answers to the prompts in your blog no later than Sunday (Jan 25)?

Yes, I fulfilled the requirement to post the answers to the prompts in my blog no later than Sunday, Jan. 25.

Did you fulfill the requirement to reply to at least 2 classmates’ blogs Saturday/Sunday?

Yes, I was able to reply to at least 2 classmates’ blogs within the required timelines.

Quote your best post(s) from the week and explain why you feel these are the best.

“Having the opportunity to access information instantly is an awesome thing to happen to the business community.” (John Penn). The reason why I chose this quote as my best from this week is because I can directly relate to it in my current place of employment. Since I work for a huge corporation, having a website strictly for business questions, concerns and information that all employees can access and use as a quick resource is extremely helpful.

Quote several of the best posts from other students. Explain why you chose the ones you present.

“I worry that I will reach a max out point where my brain cannot keep up with what the technology offers to it. Sometimes I think the day is close, then I learn something new and do it successfully, and technology makes me excited again.” (Michael Verhasselt). The reason why I chose this post is because I believe we can all relate to this in some way. Technology is constantly changing and growing right before our eyes and at some point we have to wonder if there will ever going to be an end/max.

“Do you think the future of online learning would replace the traditional way of learning? Why?” (Mingda Dai). I chose this question within a post because I think it’s definitely something to consider. Although I prefer online courses, I don’t wish to see online learning replace traditional teaching/learning. That being said, I can also see online learning replacing traditional teaching/learning especially since most people live for all the new technology with cell phones, tablets, etc.

What did you learn in the discussion this week that will be useful to you or that changes the way you view something?

The most significant thing I learned this week was how far back distance education goes. I honestly never realized how much history there was pertaining to distance education. The fact that distance education has been around for so long is amazing, especially since technology has changed so much.

Module 1

My name is Melissa Gomez. I was born and raised in Santa Ana, Ca. I’m married and have 3 sons and 1 step-daughter. I’ve lived in the Inland Empire for almost 7 years now. I’m a Social Work major and would love to work with children and families one day.

I think the most important attitudes of e-learners in online classes should be determined, self-motivated, persistent, punctual and responsible.

When students aren’t able to manage their time, task, or have ownership in their learning, as an instructor I would seek out those students individually to find out how I can help. I’d want to know why they are having difficulties and if the e-learning experience is the right fit for them.

When I think about critical thinking, the first thing that comes to mind is thinking outside the box. The word that comes to mind is unique. You want to be unique. You want your work to speak for itself. When students don’t use their critical thinking they may be missing out on important information that will not only help them in class, but also in the real world.

Inference is a conclusion as a result of observed facts. Recognition of Assumption is the ability to separate fact from opinion. Deduction is when the conclusion of an argument is found to be true or acceptable. Interpretation is the ability to understand a message and its purpose by clarifying facts. Evaluation of Argument is the ability to analyze information objectively and accurately and determine whether or not an argument is strong or weak by the relation of the question and its relation to the argument. All of the elements of critical thinking can be applied to learning in this course when reading the textbook and other readings, when completing homework and  when corresponding with classmates.

I completed my first post no later than Wed. 1/14 and I responded to at least three classmates in each discussion by Fri. 1/16. Additionally, I responded to the prompts in my blog no later than Sun. 1/18 and I will be responding to at least 2 classmates’ blogs during Saturday 1/17.

The best post from this week came from Carolyne Obonyo when asked to define her attitudes as an e-learner, her response was “Self-motivated, Independent learner, Self-disciplined, and Self-directed.” The reason why I feel this is a great post is because you want to know your strengths and be confident enough to share them with others.

One thing I learned in the discussion this week that will be useful to me in this course is knowing I’m not the only parent, full-time worker and student who is pressed for time. Many of us are familiar with e-learning and appreciate and respect its flexibility which makes me feel like I can accomplish anything.