I'm really enjoying this course. In our class last week we had small break out sessions where we had several roles within the group. Each of us had to be a participant, a reporter (took notes on the whiteboard), and the facilitator. It was interesting to use Elluminate as a facilitator. I'm used to being a participant, but lots to look at as a facilitator. I really enjoyed this and decided I need to set up sessions in my Vroom to practice this skill.
Then we learned some of the different types of online learning - synchronous and asynchronous. Many of the ideas are the same principle as a traditional room, but the implementation is different due to the situation. Online learning has the added challenge no body language. We also set up an initial contact as if we were online facilitators. Again some similarities, but than new challenges such as the technology.
Some of what makes this course interesting is that everything is new.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
CED0550 week 1
This has been a good week of discovery. In our first class we got to explore the tools of being a moderator in Elluminate. That was interesting after a year of being the student. I'd like to fine tune those skills, so I'm going to have to arrange some meetings in my Vroom with friends. I could have done so prior to this course, but I guess I hadn't thought of it.
The articles in regards to online learning from the teachers', students', and parents' point of view were interesting. I hadn't thought about the technology courses I took in my undergrad program. The only technology course I had was in the spec. ed. part of my degree. Just like our students, we shouldn't assume that anyone can just start using technology, and more importantly, using it correctly. Technology is a skill to be taught and learned, just like reading, math, science, etc. Is the problem with teaching technology to teachers, because it's constantly evolving and changing.
One of my favorite sites was the National Library of Virtual Learning. This site provides students the opportunity to do hands on activities using manipulatives, without the constant mess on the floor. Many of the tools in the number and operations site are tools I already physically use. I like the patterns and graphing in particular. I plan on using both this week in my classes.
The articles in regards to online learning from the teachers', students', and parents' point of view were interesting. I hadn't thought about the technology courses I took in my undergrad program. The only technology course I had was in the spec. ed. part of my degree. Just like our students, we shouldn't assume that anyone can just start using technology, and more importantly, using it correctly. Technology is a skill to be taught and learned, just like reading, math, science, etc. Is the problem with teaching technology to teachers, because it's constantly evolving and changing.
One of my favorite sites was the National Library of Virtual Learning. This site provides students the opportunity to do hands on activities using manipulatives, without the constant mess on the floor. Many of the tools in the number and operations site are tools I already physically use. I like the patterns and graphing in particular. I plan on using both this week in my classes.
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