Pre-Course Survey

Blogger is not allowing me to put a link at the top of the page.. so for the time being, here is my survey link

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CC9Q77Z

 

Week 6

I think the greatest learning this week came from a combination of reading and doing. This week I was at a learning conference in Louisville, KY. It was amazing to hear conversations about how we need to move adult education in business forward with online learning... but not for the reason I was thinking. It was because tools that are being used to conduct job functions are remote. For example, remote doctors. They need to be trained on a equipment and conducting remote exams.

 

The first question which was asked was: What does a successful remote exam look like? Ahh.. the assessment first! The next question is how do we make sure they are getting it while we are in training (because training is so expensive- both in wages of the doctor and lost time in work). AHHH! Formative assessments!

They talked about what has to be done to ensure we are tracking learning and they used the same model we read about in our articles. Internal, peer to peer, and then for them the ultimate test- the patient (the instructors put themselves in this place initially).

Teaching the process was pretty easy, but teaching the "bedside manner" was not so easy. They commented on how the peer to peer evaluations on the private blogs they had were most helpful. It was feedback from another doctor, not someone who is selling the tool they were using. This made it much more authentic in their eyes. I didn't read that in my readings exactly, but I think the articles implied the importance of this. Especially when in the end the final decider on if they learned what they need to learn was the patient.

 

Week 4

"It's a system of assessment, not a single instrument," says Urban's co−director Ann Cook. "It's a system based on a number of

components, it goes on all year long, and it culminates in certain kinds of tasks that demonstrate what students can do."
"Assessment as a way of life." Everyday in every class: Case study examples act as a summary of performance-based assessments highlights. Furger, R. Assessment for understanding. San Rafael, CA: George Lucas Foundation

The theme of this week is creating a system of assessment. This has to include formative and summative and in online learning we need to use the tools to ensure learning is occurring and that the feedback to the learner is authentic and real time.

The tools we investigated this week give the opportunity to have both authentic and responsive feedback.

If anyone were to tell me that audio feedback was a tool which could be or should be used in online learning, I would have told them it would be nice, but unnecessary. After taking this course, I see how it isn't just nice that I get feedback from my instructor in an audio form, but it makes me  more engaged. I feel connected and important to my teacher.. I want to make sure I do the same thing for my learners.

The tools we learned about this week including audio, surveys, and blogs has substantially increased my knowledge of what is out there and what I want to use in my online learning environment. I think that too many tools, can be just that.. too many tools. What I liked about Quia.com was the ability to put everything in one place and include the other tools (audio and blogging) within the tool. It also gave the opportunity to have responsive feedback. This way learners know what they don't know and don't keep going down the wrong path if they do not understand.

I also think I need to take a broad technology class.. I am getting better, but still fumble with some of the tools. I know there is more that each of the tools can do, but I don't even know to look for them because of my lack of knowledge.

The last thing which was very important to me this week was the difference in presentation in the jigsaw activity. I really like the word document, but think that it would be a resource in my classroom on top of the website design. I know for me, when I am confused about things I am reading online, it helps if I can print it out and use my old fashion technique of writing while I read.. remembering we have all types of learners coming to our classroom. This can be valuable.

Week 3

It was the "Perfect Storm" of information this week.. As I am developing a program for leadership business acumen.. I was asked by the senior executives about new ways to ensure the participants in the course were improving. The regular assessment in the Learning Management Center just can't cut it. So.. I got use the tools we reviewed in the class.

The key components of this course is a workshop, coaching, peer learning for transformative experience. The important question asked was on ensuring the time in the course is useful.

. "Renee, how will you, better yet we know, they are getting it during the process? We surely don't want our leaders in this course for two quarters of the year to find in the end the course has proven little to no results."

I got to tell them about the resources and the perfect storm. I believe in my course, the formative assessments can be gathered through the blogs, the threads, and the surveys. Luckily we can also transfer knowledge through the Learning Center for the learners to have a common understanding to grow from. They loved the fact that not only the facilitator of the course can see the progress, but with these tools, as leaders of the leaders, they can see how they progress.

Also.. I got to use my Concept Map.. To tell the truth, often it is hard to show business how learners objectives are tied to activities and assessment. This concept map help to also show how this lead into the next objective. This picture was perfect and I will use this to present courses in the future.

One good question from executives was about using the tools. They liked the tools, but wanted to make sure it wasn't something that would impede learning. The beauty of using the tools I suggested was the learners can use them in their daily work. I could show the executives how they would improve the communication and networking by using the tools. This justified the time being spent with the pre-assessment and the course tools as necessary.

Perfect Storm!

Week 2

.
"Blogs offer students, faculty, staff, and others a high level of 
autonomy while creating a new opportunity for interaction with 
peers." "7 Things You Should Know About Blogs." EDUCAUSE Web. Aug. 2005




Blogs are going to be a major piece of assessment in the learning modules for the course I am creating. I am developing opportunities to help professionals grow within their business and grow their business acumen. In the world I live, it is not "high stakes testing" or "common core" which drives my profession, it is Return on Investment (ROI).

Business knows they need to develop people, but their is always that constant pull of getting the job done. Every time I take someone from their normal work load, I need to help management see how that learning is getting the job done. Much like a way point marks the coordinates of a place, so can a blog give management a marker of where their associate is in the learning and how it can be applied to their job. Not only can I use it to help create the autonomy which the 7 Things You Should Know About Blogs refers to, it also gives the stakeholders insight to their associates growth and development.

I always thought blogs were a thing for someone who has nothing to do, but give unsolicited advise.. I see purpose in using blogs for eLearning and ongoing development! :)

Week 1

I took my first course learning to be an eLearning professional 6 weeks ago and decided to take this one as well. Last week was pretty overwhelming, but the truth is.. I am glad I have another professor to see a new style of online learning through the same medium (D2L). I have to say I learned a lot about what I like and what I need just in the first week's differences amongst the professors. I appreciated the feedback. This is going to be great!