Week 3 Assignment

There are many types of technologies that can be used for example 2 about the history class offering interactive tours online to prominent NY museums. One technology that would facilitate this lesson would be the use of blogs.  Since this teacher would like his or her student to participate in a critique about the exhibits seen in the interactive tour, a blog would facilitate discussion among the students in and out of the classroom.   According to Simonson et al, “Blogs can be excellent tools for student reflections about course content or reporting activities in a student teaching experience (Simonson, 2011). The blog would allow students to voice their opinions as well as learn from their peers.

Another piece of technology that might be beneficial to use in this lesson would be a podcast.  Podcasts can be audio presentations or a combination of audio and visual presentations.  Students would be able to use podcasts to create a critique about the exhibits seen in the interactive tour.  The media learning resources explain that research indicates that when audio and visual cues are shown together, learning is more effective (Laureate Education, 2012).  I believe that this is also the case, for these critiques. Students would best present their ideas using a combination of visual and audio and not only use their work as learning tool for themselves but for their peers.  The media resource also states that, “the results of several studies also indicate that online students who listen to podcasts demonstrate more effective learning, greater satisfaction, greater autonomy, and greater motivation than online student who do not (Laureate Education, 2012).” Using this technology does not only provide students with avenues to increase their learning, but sparks enthusiasm in their work and the skill to become a self-directed learning.

The internet is the source of many interesting ideas on how to use blogs and podcasts in the classroom. For instance, on the website http://www.edutopia.org/blogging-history-taking-classroom-discussions-online, it discusses how a history class and other disciplines have used blogs as a book club.  Students are able to read and discuss their ideas with a large audience.  This allows students to become motivated to read because there are then able to showcase their ideas to their peers.

Another website that addresses the use of podcasts is http://thwt.org/index.php/presentations-multimedia/podcasts, which demonstrates how history classes can use podcasts to conduct interviews and then post them for an audience to review.  Students will not only learn from one another in these types of lessons, but also become engaged because their research is being showcased for a large audience to view and critique.  Students need to feel that their work has a bigger purpose, to truly become engage, and that is what technology provides for them.

In summary, the use of technology in the classroom has many benefits.   It allows students to become more self-directed, gives their work a greater meaning, and allows for greater communication with their peers.

Resources

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012). Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Education . Baltimore, MD: Author

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson

Week 2- Distance Learning

Week 2 –Course Project

        

I chose scenario 1 of the example of a hybrid/blended course because it most closely relates to how I will be using distance education in my classroom.  My school district has been involved in a technological update and is now interested in infusing distance education into the current curriculum.  This will be a gradual shift, but will occur in the foreseeable   future.  I am also particularing interested in using a hybrid format to increase student achievement in my classroom.   I have found that my students are particularly interested in bringing more technology into their learning, so I would like to make that option available to them.  I would not only like to enhance the presentation of content but facilitate communication among my students outside of the classroom and over distance. Simonson et al explains,  “Interactive instruction is  possible because telecommunications technologies permit the learner to contact databases, information sources, instructional experts, and other students in real time and interactivie ways (Simonson et al, 2011).  I want education to continue past the doors of my classroom.

                I would like to develop this online aspect to best align with my current curriculum.  I want the online aspect of the class to support the learning that took place in class by offering activities, homework, discussion, and a way to recap the day’s lesson.   This online aspect would act as a support system for the students, especially those with special needs or that need additional guidance outside of the classroom.  Simonson et al explains,  “the networked computer permits the learner to access events of instruction that can be tailored to meet individual needs (Simonson et al, 2011).”  The hybrid model enhances the effectiveness of traditional classroom instruction.

Distance Learning- Week 1

The definition of distance learning is constantly changing because the resources available are constantly changing as well.  When I first began considering distance learning as an option for my Master’s degree, I was very hesitant because I could not understand how it could be equivalent to a traditional classroom, but as I began to take my course, my opinion has changed.  The technological resources available allow online instructors to provide enriched instruction that could easily replicate the proceeding of a traditional classroom.  As I continue to utilize distance learning, I am repeatedly impressed with the resources that are being infused to allow for interactive and collaborative environment for students.  In essence, distance learning does not have a true definition because it is constantly evolving.  Simonson explains that according to 248 studies conducted, the results yielded no significant difference between a traditional classroom and distance learning (Simonson et al,2012) that demonstrates that the more technology infused into a lesson can not only recreate face-to-face interaction, but replicate other aspects of a traditional classroom experience.
The learning resources have expanded my knowledge of distance learning. For example, it has come to my attention that is not a new concept, but rather has been used for many years.  Simonson explains that distance learning is at least 160 years old because in Sweden there were opportunities to study “composition through the medium of post (Simonson et al. 2012, p 37).” What technology has done for distance learning is that it has given it a make-over. This evolution leads to numerous definitions of distance learning but all these definitions have five commonalities. These commonalities include a distinct separation between teacher and learners, individualized practiced instruction, the use of resources such as media to simulate a face to face interaction, an opportunity to communicate with colleagues and instructors and the influence of an educational institution.
I have learned that distance learning is not only used at length in the USA, but world-wide as well.  The need for distance learning varies depending on societal differences, lack of technology, economics, and politics. Simonson explains, “In some cases distance education is seen as an answer to inadequate educational opportunities cause by political and/or instability (Simonson et al.2012 p 58).” I now understand that distance learning is not only a tool of accessibility, but a necessity in some countries.  In these circumstances, distance learning is more effective than the traditional education offered in these countries.  Moller et al explain,  Rice suggested that the effectiveness of distance education has more to do with who is teaching, who is learning, and how that learning is accomplished and less to do with the medium. (Moller, 2008)”  In these countries, distance learning offers students more opportunities.
In the future, distance learning will take a larger role in the field of education. Distance learning allows student to continue the education when they leave the realm of a traditional classroom.  I see myself using online modules as a supplement to my classroom instruction, where students many replicate the traditional classroom experience in their own home, enriching their instruction with media and simulations offered by technology.   This supplemental instruction will be used to best meet the needs of each and every student.

Resources       
Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 2: Higher education). TechTrends, 52(4), 66-70
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson