"What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to the human soul."(Joseph Addison)
Design of Technology Supported Learning Environments
I was able to get some very important hands-on experience using some new technology in this course. Through the various projects, the pedagogical imperative of using technology in new and innovative ways came to the forefront. Educational models like the SAMR model helped to reinforce the importance of producing projects that modify (M) and redefine (R) the task, rather than just solely substituting (S) or augmenting (A) it. Beyond this, through both independent and collaborative work, I was able to experience different organizational tools and different problem solving techniques.
By producing this introduction, I was able to use a new technology and I was also able to reflect on the importance of creating new and meaningful connections with classmates when it's so much easier just to post a short paragraph. A very worthwhile experience.
This project was one that I was initially very excited by but was extremely challenging. I produced the script for a discussion of transactive memory and the role of technology in how we remember things. Then, I worked to combine this script with a stop-motion video, which was time consuming, didn't film well, and which was extremely difficult to finally post because of the software I had used. I would have experienced much greater success had I abandoned the method and technology that I started with and instead used a different approach. Lesson learned.
This collaborative project was the culminating activity in this course. It was a very challenging project because we went with a topic that I wasn't very familiar with and with a system of tools that I also don't know well. We worked to create a virtual simulation design environment, based on best practice, for health care professionals. Through our research, we were able to decide on a number of factors that were necessary for a successful learning environment. Because no one in our group had direct experience in healthcare, and because no one had made a learning environment before, there were a number of hurdles to overcome. Through our many meetings online and our various file sharing techniques, we were able to finish our design. My specific role was to aid in the collection of resources for inspiration, examine the existing learning and questioning frameworks, and collate all of this information to a usable companion manual for the whole process. Through this process I was exposed to the Gibbs' Reflective Cycle and the Diamond Debriefing Method, as well as others, which was extremely valuable for my own teaching practice. These models exemplify the importance of proper reflecting and questioning cycles in order to have a complete and holistic learning experience.
The lessons:
When trying something new, it's best to keep an open mind. You never know who you'll meet, what you'll learn, or what you'll experience when you are traveling. It's also a good idea to ask for help from your colleagues when you need it - and to play off of everyone's strengths. As well, even if you might think it's a really good idea to steamroll through technical issues, sometimes it just means that you need to find a different approach. Being able to move beyond simple substitution and augmentation often requires a flexible approach and an open mind - and being open to failure. In the same way, sometimes it's better to give up on a previously constructed plan once you actually experience more of the nuances of your travel destination.