My former blogs revealed a level of insecurity about myself and my abilities that I plan to address right now, and that will hopefully dissipate over time.
When I started this course I was eager but didn’t know what to expect. Over the course of the first few units I learned that the course structure helped me to build confidence through scaffolded learning. This approach has been very effective for my particular learning style. There were, however, a few touchy areas that ended up being big learning opportunities.
· Connect – I don’t know why it intimidated me so. I had never used anything like it and now, it’s kind of a piece of cake. Just getting to the point where I could use Connect was stressful because I didn’t have the correct microphone and had a wireless connection that caused lots of problems. Once I resolved these and began to work with Connect 2X weekly for our webinar prep, it became very easy. I also learned that technology issues aren’t necessarily my fault. They happen. You can do lots of advance planning to anticipate problems but despite this, s*&t happens.
· CIVS – The CIVS overlap with Horton and Kolb so there’s a lot of information and theory intertwined. I have come to appreciate the CIVs but I haven’t mastered them as well as I could/should. I think that I need to create a grid or something that will help me to physically experience the overlap. Incorporating, or at least considering, the CIVs in all learning activities is also very important. They provide a nice guideline and really help me to redirect/realign my focus. The CIVS intimidated me before but since they are not completely theory based, and serve as guidelines for actual Do activities (make sense?), I feel that they are well worth investing as much time as is needed.
· The Edweb proposal is something that I’ve not touched on in a blog but it’s been a great activity. When I first reviewed the Edweb proposal, I got a panic attack. How could I possibly develop that level of detail! I obsessed over it, and then attacked it. My strategy was to spend a couple of hours in the early morning with my course open, printed resources available, and a cup of coffee. This over the course of many days helped me to buckle down and tackle the job when my mind was clear and rested. Knowing that the Edweb proposal is the basis for what I will need to graduate made this a very important and serious activity. When suggested revisions were returned to me, I half expected that Jackie or Patrick would comment “you’ve got to be kidding”, however, with the positive comments that I received, this proposal has become my friend, rather than my nemesis.
So, I’ve learned some big things and have greatly matured as a student. I can definitely see this reflected over the course of my blogs.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Unit 8 and CARP
I think the CARP principles are a very useful tool for organizing elements on a page. I look for the CARP principles regularly now, as a matter of habit.
While CARP offers a great foundation for website design, I am still struggling with the aesthetic aspect; Even if you follow the principles, it still helps to have a creative eye.
As I evaluate other people's websites, my first thought is the website's purpose. Education related websites are often kind of muted, with very little pop. That's a generalization I realize but I think that educational websites are not intended to entertain or wow the audience. They are designed to relay information so a straightforward design is perhaps most appropriate.
On the other hand, a website that sells for example, photography services requires the "wowee" factor. Your site has to captivate someone to the point that they want to buy your product or services. It's very important to have that artistic flair and I have found that the choice of typography is a particularly important element.
I wish I had a better eye for design. I can use CARP to effectively organize the elements for maximum efficiency, but CARP doesn't address how to communicate in a visually appealing manner. Maybe this ability will come with time and training, who knows?
While CARP offers a great foundation for website design, I am still struggling with the aesthetic aspect; Even if you follow the principles, it still helps to have a creative eye.
As I evaluate other people's websites, my first thought is the website's purpose. Education related websites are often kind of muted, with very little pop. That's a generalization I realize but I think that educational websites are not intended to entertain or wow the audience. They are designed to relay information so a straightforward design is perhaps most appropriate.
On the other hand, a website that sells for example, photography services requires the "wowee" factor. Your site has to captivate someone to the point that they want to buy your product or services. It's very important to have that artistic flair and I have found that the choice of typography is a particularly important element.
I wish I had a better eye for design. I can use CARP to effectively organize the elements for maximum efficiency, but CARP doesn't address how to communicate in a visually appealing manner. Maybe this ability will come with time and training, who knows?
Unit 4 reflection
In unit 4 we were assigned to attend a webinar. I had never participated in a webinar and it was a lot of fun. It's exciting to think that one can connect with others via the internet to discuss and participate in activities together.
There were some technical difficulties viewing the webinar. I thought the problem was on my end so I ran up and down 3 flights of stairs trying to get a connection on 2 different computers. I finally figured out after 10 long minutes that there was a violent storm at the facility that was hosting the webinar. Not my fault afterall. I learned from this not to immediately assume that I am at fault. Stuff happens, especially in respect to technology. Technology speeds us up but if can also slow us down long enough to fix, or wait out, a problem.
The webinar presenter was very sur of herself and did a nice job. I can honestly say that there are advantages to hearing a voice as compared to viewing the actual person. I was more intently tuned in to the presenter's voice nuances and the way she communicated rather than her outfit or body language. The webinar content wasn't what I would describe as spectacular but that didn't much matter to me. I got to experience the webinar and I thought at its conclusion, "with training and practive, I could do that." And sure enough, my team and I created our own webinar. Not a perfect webinar, but fine enough to a first try.
I love the new technology. It has so much promise.
There were some technical difficulties viewing the webinar. I thought the problem was on my end so I ran up and down 3 flights of stairs trying to get a connection on 2 different computers. I finally figured out after 10 long minutes that there was a violent storm at the facility that was hosting the webinar. Not my fault afterall. I learned from this not to immediately assume that I am at fault. Stuff happens, especially in respect to technology. Technology speeds us up but if can also slow us down long enough to fix, or wait out, a problem.
The webinar presenter was very sur of herself and did a nice job. I can honestly say that there are advantages to hearing a voice as compared to viewing the actual person. I was more intently tuned in to the presenter's voice nuances and the way she communicated rather than her outfit or body language. The webinar content wasn't what I would describe as spectacular but that didn't much matter to me. I got to experience the webinar and I thought at its conclusion, "with training and practive, I could do that." And sure enough, my team and I created our own webinar. Not a perfect webinar, but fine enough to a first try.
I love the new technology. It has so much promise.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Horton's chapter on Connect activities has been particularly meaningful to me. In my experience, that's where my deepest learning occurs. I am always looking for that connection to real life experiences which helps me to make sense of material that I don't completely understand or am not completely comfortable with.
Where some people find connections between one activity and the next, initially I often do not. As we complete each unit, however, that connection becomes more apparent because we have readings, activities, postings, and other overlapping activities that reinforce the material. I generally always feel confident that at the end of the unit I will have a very good grasp of what's been taught; Or, I know what I need to work on.
Relating back to Horton's connection, I know I am not alone in how I make sense of things. Horton has certainly identified that Connect activities "tie together previously learned skills and knowledge" which results in "higher level knowledge and skills." Students are looking to make sense of new stimuli, new experiences, and new emotions in a way that makes sense to them. As Horton reveals, it's how some of the most effective learning happens.
Where some people find connections between one activity and the next, initially I often do not. As we complete each unit, however, that connection becomes more apparent because we have readings, activities, postings, and other overlapping activities that reinforce the material. I generally always feel confident that at the end of the unit I will have a very good grasp of what's been taught; Or, I know what I need to work on.
Relating back to Horton's connection, I know I am not alone in how I make sense of things. Horton has certainly identified that Connect activities "tie together previously learned skills and knowledge" which results in "higher level knowledge and skills." Students are looking to make sense of new stimuli, new experiences, and new emotions in a way that makes sense to them. As Horton reveals, it's how some of the most effective learning happens.
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