February 17, 2010
The discussion around equivalency theory has made me reflect more on the topic of understanding and constructive criticism. One of the many aspects of education that I am learning, is that everyone can construct their own thoughts and beliefs on readings and not all will have the same conclusion. Through the discussion postings it is always a bit nerve racking to place your thoughts out for review by others. One thing that I am learning to do better is take the criticism as thoughts on how to improve versus a put down of my work. The posting regarding the equivalency theory made me realize that the postings can be beneficial for me, as this gives everyone a chance to clear up any misunderstandings that I was having. These readings are not easy so far and I am finding myself addicted to dictionary.com to fully grasp the meaning of the words being used.
One of the important things that I have read this week is the concept of being learning-centered. Being learning-centered focuses more on the all inclusive learning experience that focuses on what the learner is learning. The instructor of the course made a good point that practitioners have differences and sometimes they are over the fine points of the argument. However, in this case I think the fine point is something that needed to be made as the terminology will truly reflect the learning experience, rather than the individual learner.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Important discussions - week 2
February 9, 2010
One important point stood out for me in Ally's chapter on Foundations of Educational Theory for Online Learning. Ally discussed the fact that technology is merely a tool for delivery and does not in itself have an effect on student outcomes (Ally, p.15), and this is something that I will remember throughout my studies in distance education. This fact is important for me to remember as often times I become too concerned with the technology and forget that learning is the main focus in education. Additionally, a small discussion was centered around the differences between Blackboard, WebCT, and WebTycho in the conference area and this discussion forced me to think about technology in relationship to the teaching and learning functions. These course platforms are merely a place for the location of course materials and have little effect on the teachings or learning. The implications that these discussions and readings have on my future is that I will keep in mind that technology is mainly used as a tool for delivering the course content and not a tool to teach or learn.
Reference
Ally, M. (2008). Foundations of educational theory for online learning. In T. Anderson (Ed.) Theory and practice of online learning, 2nd ed. Athabasca, AB: Athabasca University. Available online at: http://www.aupress.ca/books/120146/ebook/01_Anderson_2008_Ally-Online_Learning.pdf
One important point stood out for me in Ally's chapter on Foundations of Educational Theory for Online Learning. Ally discussed the fact that technology is merely a tool for delivery and does not in itself have an effect on student outcomes (Ally, p.15), and this is something that I will remember throughout my studies in distance education. This fact is important for me to remember as often times I become too concerned with the technology and forget that learning is the main focus in education. Additionally, a small discussion was centered around the differences between Blackboard, WebCT, and WebTycho in the conference area and this discussion forced me to think about technology in relationship to the teaching and learning functions. These course platforms are merely a place for the location of course materials and have little effect on the teachings or learning. The implications that these discussions and readings have on my future is that I will keep in mind that technology is mainly used as a tool for delivering the course content and not a tool to teach or learn.
Reference
Ally, M. (2008). Foundations of educational theory for online learning. In T. Anderson (Ed.) Theory and practice of online learning, 2nd ed. Athabasca, AB: Athabasca University. Available online at: http://www.aupress.ca/books/120146/ebook/01_Anderson_2008_Ally-Online_Learning.pdf
Distance Education Terminology - Week 1
The Kanuka and Conrad readings cleared up a lot of the issues that I have had with terminology; since, starting the distance education program. I felt a great deal of discomfort with the terminology (i.e., distance education or distance learning) since entering the program as I have often felt that it was changing with the different courses that I was taken, and now I am a little more aware that this is a debated issue and not just my misunderstandings of the terminologies. Most fields of study have pre-defined vocabulary that are rarely debated (i.e., economics has supply, demand, opportunity costs) and this makes it easier when I begin an area of study, as the terms are already in motion. However, with distance education I need to be aware of the reasoning behind the theorists decisions for choosing terminology and decide for myself which terms are most logical to use. The most interesting aspect of the study of distance education for me thus far is that it is still in the foundation periods and a lot of growth potential exist.
Additionally, I have greatly benefited from reading about technology and its role in the selection of terminology. The major point that I learned through my reading and self reflection of the readings is that technology plays a major role in the discourse in terminology. Technology brings with its numerous benefits, many changes good and bad. The technology advancements are ultimately the reasoning behind the changes in new terminology. Like the authors noted in the reserved readings, now that learners and educators alike are using Wi-Fi the terminology online learning is no longer valid for those not connecting through hard line. The point regarding the online learning terminology that the author made, allowed me to reflect on some of the terms that I use in everyday language that no longer are valid terms, and this will be something that I will need to correct by updating some of the terms that I use.
I am interested to see how the terms that have already been created for distance education will settle in over the coming years. This reading had a major impact on me as a future professional in distance education as it brought to my attention the fact that the terminology is not just confusing for me, rather, it is confusing for most people. I will need to be careful in my use of the terms in the future and research more practitioners decisions on terminology so that I can give reasoning behind my use in the future.
Additionally, I have greatly benefited from reading about technology and its role in the selection of terminology. The major point that I learned through my reading and self reflection of the readings is that technology plays a major role in the discourse in terminology. Technology brings with its numerous benefits, many changes good and bad. The technology advancements are ultimately the reasoning behind the changes in new terminology. Like the authors noted in the reserved readings, now that learners and educators alike are using Wi-Fi the terminology online learning is no longer valid for those not connecting through hard line. The point regarding the online learning terminology that the author made, allowed me to reflect on some of the terms that I use in everyday language that no longer are valid terms, and this will be something that I will need to correct by updating some of the terms that I use.
I am interested to see how the terms that have already been created for distance education will settle in over the coming years. This reading had a major impact on me as a future professional in distance education as it brought to my attention the fact that the terminology is not just confusing for me, rather, it is confusing for most people. I will need to be careful in my use of the terms in the future and research more practitioners decisions on terminology so that I can give reasoning behind my use in the future.
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