Wow!!! I cannot believe this time has gone so quick....But I have also enjoyed it.
Honestly for me it was more than 6 hours...this was more like 10-12 on some modules. Maybe because in addition to the module assignments I found easy to just jump into implementing those ideas and concepts in my course design and development.
WHAT A FABULOUS COURSE DAVE!!!---Thanks so much for putting your passion behind this course, it will become better and better every time you facilitate this for new and future faculty.
I don't even know how to wrap this up, except to say that I have personally grown in the area of online teaching and learning expertise. Interestingly, this is my number 4 course of similar nature. Everyone of my previous institutions have their own flavor of "online training for instructors" but honestly I find BOLT101 to be a FANTASTIC one!
I am new to Canvas and find it very, very user friendly. At first I thought we were not getting much about the mechanics of course implementation on Canvas, but the last videos on module 6 did fill the gap for me.
This course was all worth my time. I am better because of my learning, and exposure to the content presented. I specially commend David Mulder for such a commitment and his always enthusiastic mood. I think your personality comes across in this course and you are a joy to work with. I hope I can continue to receive your help as I continue to develop other courses.
Online and distance learning is really making an impact and we as instructors can only benefit ourselves and our students by continuing to learn and apply new ideas into our teaching and learning practice. Soli Deo Gloria!!!
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Saturday, July 15, 2017
BOLT101-Module5
Chunking is starting to make more sense to me as a facilitator. I have
benefited from chunked instruction, but have not been conscientious
about chunking instruction for my students. I knew that some of my
instruction via video that had short videos say 3-6 minutes was very
appealing, but the readings brought more understanding about the good
reasons for chunking. So motivating, that I have started to put more
intentional planning into chunking some of my course materials for my
future students.
Adapting is really helpful. I am trying to do as much as I can to possible take advantage of adapting existing content to my brand new courses in manufacturing. In fact I can see how this is already benefiting me. Those courses I find more options for material already developed are being easier to put together than those where I have to develop stuff from scratch or from barely existing content sources.
Yes, IP and fair use, these are big ones. My last job at West Point was one where the concepts are almost like the "10 commandments". The academy has a very strong emphasis on intellectual property rights and everything associated with it. I had a chance to meet with some experts the institution brought to mentor faculty and students about this topic. I little bit extreme I thought, but it makes sense to emphasize such and important topic when you think about the rule the graduates will have as future leaders in society. They take things so serious as far as intellectual property that a student is dismissed from the academy if found s(he) has broken any of the rules associated with the IP code.
I am curious how strict things are at Dordt and if there are instances of penalizing students or faculty for breaking intellectual property laws.
Adapting is really helpful. I am trying to do as much as I can to possible take advantage of adapting existing content to my brand new courses in manufacturing. In fact I can see how this is already benefiting me. Those courses I find more options for material already developed are being easier to put together than those where I have to develop stuff from scratch or from barely existing content sources.
Yes, IP and fair use, these are big ones. My last job at West Point was one where the concepts are almost like the "10 commandments". The academy has a very strong emphasis on intellectual property rights and everything associated with it. I had a chance to meet with some experts the institution brought to mentor faculty and students about this topic. I little bit extreme I thought, but it makes sense to emphasize such and important topic when you think about the rule the graduates will have as future leaders in society. They take things so serious as far as intellectual property that a student is dismissed from the academy if found s(he) has broken any of the rules associated with the IP code.
I am curious how strict things are at Dordt and if there are instances of penalizing students or faculty for breaking intellectual property laws.
Friday, July 7, 2017
BOLT101-Module4
Lots of interesting ideas on this module...I must accept that I never paid too much attention to the ideas presented on the readings for this module. This concept of "social presence" was not part of my things while I have facilitated distance and online learning in my past practice. But, I am convinced now by reading and listening our facilitator (Dave) talk about the importance of social presence in the online environment. I am guessing one of the reasons why social presence was not a concern for me is because I have mostly taught courses to technical majors such IT and Applied Engineering students. These students are pretty motivated and they also do not have much trouble with technology. Thus, social presence or absence has not been a concern for me. But, social presence can only help improve my work with future tech students.
The other part of my story, is that I have naturally tried to provide a variety of means to convey content and facilitate learning. I have used text, audio, video and both synchronous and asynchronous meetings. These were just normal things for me to do while facilitating distance and online learning.
Having said all the above, I have been introduced to a new tool "VoiceThread" and I love it. This will be another great one to utilize in my future course development activities. I like the idea of a very mixed video format. Overall, I love the simplicity to work out videos with VT. Other more sophisticated software will allow me doing many things but it might be more complicated.
From this module readings I also gathered lots of good ideas, tips, principles and strategies to improve social presence. I believe the readings provide rich and practical nuggets to enhance the online learning environment. I have used some of these methods, but of course there is always room for improvement and testing of new methods.
The one thing to be reminded though , is the fact that one can be overwhelmed if trying to implement all of these ideas at one time. So, I try to remind myself of the need to start with a working model, something that will streamline the processes and again avoid "technology congestion" every time I plan the deliver of a new course.
The other part of my story, is that I have naturally tried to provide a variety of means to convey content and facilitate learning. I have used text, audio, video and both synchronous and asynchronous meetings. These were just normal things for me to do while facilitating distance and online learning.
Having said all the above, I have been introduced to a new tool "VoiceThread" and I love it. This will be another great one to utilize in my future course development activities. I like the idea of a very mixed video format. Overall, I love the simplicity to work out videos with VT. Other more sophisticated software will allow me doing many things but it might be more complicated.
From this module readings I also gathered lots of good ideas, tips, principles and strategies to improve social presence. I believe the readings provide rich and practical nuggets to enhance the online learning environment. I have used some of these methods, but of course there is always room for improvement and testing of new methods.
The one thing to be reminded though , is the fact that one can be overwhelmed if trying to implement all of these ideas at one time. So, I try to remind myself of the need to start with a working model, something that will streamline the processes and again avoid "technology congestion" every time I plan the deliver of a new course.
Saturday, July 1, 2017
BOLT101-Module3
Learning objectives, assessment and course syllabus:
Learning objectives are important to provide clarity as to what is the students going to be able to achieve after completing the assigned learning activities.
Learning objectives also are important in order to later assess how well the students perform after going over the learning process.
Assessment should be able to help determine if the learning objectives were achieved. This is good for both the instructor and the student. The type of assessment instrument to be used should be appropriate for the type of objective being measured.
An adequate assessment should help measure both the effectiveness of the learning supporting materials and if done correctly, assessment will also be able to measure the quality of the student performance.
The syllabus is a more comprehensive document that goes beyond objectives , content and assessment, but also an important document that lays out the overall plan of how instruction will be implemented.
Learning objectives are important to provide clarity as to what is the students going to be able to achieve after completing the assigned learning activities.
Learning objectives also are important in order to later assess how well the students perform after going over the learning process.
Assessment should be able to help determine if the learning objectives were achieved. This is good for both the instructor and the student. The type of assessment instrument to be used should be appropriate for the type of objective being measured.
An adequate assessment should help measure both the effectiveness of the learning supporting materials and if done correctly, assessment will also be able to measure the quality of the student performance.
The syllabus is a more comprehensive document that goes beyond objectives , content and assessment, but also an important document that lays out the overall plan of how instruction will be implemented.
Monday, June 26, 2017
BOLT101-Module2
Lots of good readings on this module, lots of good ideas I was able to gather.
-Padlet: This was a new tool for me to try and I liked it a lot. It seems to be very practical and easy to use. It also reminds me of my home. My wife and I always write on post-cards or sticky notes things we are tacking throughout the week. And if there are things to change or update , we easily do this.
Padlet is definetely under my consideration to be used with my students at Dordt.
-LMS/CMS: I have use a few CMS's and LMS's, including Blackboard, Noodle, and a few other corporate training plaforms. They all have their great features and challenges. As for me, I try to use the most basics navigation for myself and my students. Simple and versatile can be powerful, if technology is to meet the purpose of learning.
-Students success: If the CMS/LMS is well managed and properly set up, the other part is up to us, the instructors to create that welcoming environment for students to stick around and do well. I find always harder to help students that have some resistance to using technology for learning. In this days is usually a small group, but this also presents an opportunity to help those students that may struggle, to overcome any preconceived ideas or barriers toward online learning.
-Conquering the content: Content map was very, very useful. I was afraid to use this idea on all my courses, but having seen the model recommended by the author, it makes sense to adopt this method as one to best orient and guide the students toward the process of completion of course work and assignments. I was able to produce a draft content map and soon realized I could do better, so I went back to the drawing board and re-engineering my design. I feel pretty good about this last design. I am sharing this below in case some of you may have some comments or questions about it.
-Padlet: This was a new tool for me to try and I liked it a lot. It seems to be very practical and easy to use. It also reminds me of my home. My wife and I always write on post-cards or sticky notes things we are tacking throughout the week. And if there are things to change or update , we easily do this.
Padlet is definetely under my consideration to be used with my students at Dordt.
-LMS/CMS: I have use a few CMS's and LMS's, including Blackboard, Noodle, and a few other corporate training plaforms. They all have their great features and challenges. As for me, I try to use the most basics navigation for myself and my students. Simple and versatile can be powerful, if technology is to meet the purpose of learning.
-Students success: If the CMS/LMS is well managed and properly set up, the other part is up to us, the instructors to create that welcoming environment for students to stick around and do well. I find always harder to help students that have some resistance to using technology for learning. In this days is usually a small group, but this also presents an opportunity to help those students that may struggle, to overcome any preconceived ideas or barriers toward online learning.
-Conquering the content: Content map was very, very useful. I was afraid to use this idea on all my courses, but having seen the model recommended by the author, it makes sense to adopt this method as one to best orient and guide the students toward the process of completion of course work and assignments. I was able to produce a draft content map and soon realized I could do better, so I went back to the drawing board and re-engineering my design. I feel pretty good about this last design. I am sharing this below in case some of you may have some comments or questions about it.
Thursday, June 15, 2017
BOLT101-Module1
During Module 1, It has been great, reading, interacting and pondering about the role of technology in teaching and learning. From my initial 1-minute video to this post, it is amazing how much we rely on technology, different kinds of technologies to make things to work. Hopefully technology is not on the way of the purposes for which technology is being used as the channel or mechanism to accomplish something. I think there is a place for technology, and its value is in truly making technology transparent, to the point of almost not being aware that technology is being used.
For ages people have deviced how to best use new ways to accomplish the same purposes. And technology has truly been remarkable in helping us do things better, and quicker. When it comes to the classroom, technology can enhance or disrupt the teaching and learning environment. For me this module has been about reflecting how I best use technology to enhance or facilitate the teaching and learning process. There is definitely a place for technology, just as there is a place for the facilitator or instructor. I think the inspiration in teaching and learning typically comes from instructors and not from technology. This is an element that is, the human factor, that may never be completely removed from the learning context.
For ages people have deviced how to best use new ways to accomplish the same purposes. And technology has truly been remarkable in helping us do things better, and quicker. When it comes to the classroom, technology can enhance or disrupt the teaching and learning environment. For me this module has been about reflecting how I best use technology to enhance or facilitate the teaching and learning process. There is definitely a place for technology, just as there is a place for the facilitator or instructor. I think the inspiration in teaching and learning typically comes from instructors and not from technology. This is an element that is, the human factor, that may never be completely removed from the learning context.
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