I enrolled in HRE 472 to challenge myself by stepping outside of my comfort zone and expanding my scope of thinking especially in the area of e-learning. No matter how many weeks went by, I still held on for dear life to my love for traditional face-to-face learning. I selected the videos and cartoons for this blog entry because they express some of the serious and sillier sides of my thought process as I traveled this journey through e-Learning and Gaming.
• On the sillier side: the cartoons highlight some of my views prior to electing and completing HRE 472.
• On the serious side: Video one: E-Learning Debate 2010 at Oxford
The debate was: “Informal learning via technology is more style over substance than formal/traditional learning.” Prior to this class, I may have agreed. However, now, I agree with one of the gentlemen who stated that “there is no informal or formal in technology and learning; they should coexist. Nevertheless, today, if I had to vote, I would have exited out of the “Noes” door. Today, I believe that “so called” informal learning via technology is loaded with both substance and style. I believe it has a major role to play in education and in training.
This video inspired me to prepare a brief chronicle that will provide my insights/thoughts about e-Learning on the first day I arrived in the HRE 472 class [then] to today after experiencing the class [now].
E-Learning Then & Now…the journey of spring 2012
Week One: Clark & Mayer asked “Is e-Learning Better?”
• Then – NO, Never!
• Now – Depending on the course, content, level of engagement and multimedia tools, e-Learning runs a close second. Honestly, in some courses it can be better than face-to-face. For example, since I am both a kinesthetic and visual learner, a geography course might be more interesting to me via an e-learning/gaming module. There are a number of educational gaming tools that may be more helpful keeping countries and important global information in my brain.
Week Two: Reiser provided history.
• Then – Wow, we have come a long way since 1985.
• Now – I believe I will upgrade my 2005 Palm to an iPhone
Week Three: Hemmi, Bayne & Land shared insight on Web 2.0
• Then – Is any of it safe?
• Now – Blogs, E-mails, Facebook, Wikis and more are excellent tools for educational learning and everyday living
Week Four: Clark & Mayer ask “What Are Worked Examples?”
• Then – I need more Worked Examples to understand Connectivism vs. Transactional Distance Theory.
• Now – Heather’s step by step details in the development of our group project, Hae Won and Shelby’s audio/video demonstration are two of my favorite parts of our Final Project. I believe these worked examples will be extremely beneficial to the learner.
Week Five: Mayer & Moreno and the world of Multimedia & Horton’s information on Activities
• Then – So many options. How do I choose? What is a “Do-Type Activity?”
• Now – By knowing many of the learners, this can assist me in selecting proper media tools from the array of activity options. Personally, I really enjoy videos and quizzes.
Week Six: Immersive Learning by Harris opened my eyes this week
• Then – This is too overwhelming. Now, I have to watch my thoughts, too? The virtual world seems creepier than the physical world.
• Now – The opportunity to bring my imagination to life is more refreshing than creepy.
Week Seven: Mayer & Moreno focused on “…Reducing Cognitive Load…”
• Then – Finally, someone is speaking my language. My mind feels overloaded and overwhelmed.
• Now – When designing learning modules, I need to keep it clear and educational. Remember, not to overdue the graphics, movies, pictures, texts, etc.
Week Eight: Clark & Mayer deal with “Personalization Principles”
• Then – If I have to take an online course, I would like to have a “Visible Author.” I agree with the psychological reason provided by the authors. Personally, it would help me with accountability.
• Now – When preparing our script for the demonstration portions of our project, this information was extremely useful.
Week Nine: Gilmore’s Cloud Article grabbed my attention
• Then – The Cloud, Cloud Learning, iCloud…I need to get out of the clouds and back to earth.
• Now – Wow! Google.doc, Cloud and more are amazing. Many people can edit the same document at the same time in different locations around the world. This almost feels like a classroom.
Week Ten: Spring Break
• Then – Where is my blog? How long ago did I make it? What did I call it?
• Now – That was a wonderful break and I found my original blog!
Week Eleven: Looi, Seow, Zhang, So, Chen and Wong discuss “…Mobile Technology for Sustainable Seamless Learning…”
• Then – My cell phone is for conversation, Google, GPS, MapQuest, playing solitaire and texting.
• Now – My cell phone is for conversation, Google, GPS, MapQuest, playing solitaire and texting. I have not quite evolved in this area, yet.
Week Twelve: Smith-Robbins shared ways to improve “Gamification.”
• Then – I believe Prof. Huang used this word [Gamification] when he gave his presentation to our EPS 500 class last fall.
• Now – Gaining the balance between learning and gaming is not always easy. Finding the proper balance, design, educational material and more is an ongoing process. Just as the students change, e-learning modules and gaming can change from semester to semester.
Week Thirteen: Babson Case Study
• Then – Fast Track vs. Traditional…depending on my location, fast track may be less expensive. It would be a challenge; their learning module for Fast Track appears to tap into all of the learning styles. Using all learning styles will assist me in learning quicker and retaining material for longer periods of time.
• Now – I could complete the Babson Fast Track Program, but I do not prefer it.
Week Fourteen: Collaborative Learning
• Then – I hope I am in an encouraging and productive group.
• Now – I have enjoyed every moment of working with Group 2.
Week Fifteen: Final Presentation
• Then – Design and develop an e-Learning training module? Huh?
• Now – Wow! I actually assisted in designing and developing an e-Learning training module!!! I look forward to designing more training modules for staff and students.
Finals Week: After forty-four years of learning and living, I admit that the traditional and face-to-face learning in the physical classroom is still my preferred method of learning. However, after experiencing the teaching of Prof. Huang and the texts of Clark & Mayer and Horton, I believe and accept that there is a place in my educational journey for e-learning in the virtual online classroom. As a matter of fact, I am so inspired; I am officially enrolled in a synchronous online course for summer 2012 Term 1.
The remaining three videos are:
• Video two – Advantages of E-Learning –
• Video three – Rise of the Videogame – Educational Gaming [Peacekeeping Game in the military to assist with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder {PTSD}]
• Video four – E-learning Cheer {back to the silly side}
No comments:
Post a Comment