In this paper I chose to apply my knowledge of learning perspectives to an online course that I have taught, ENG 4U (grade 12, university level, English). Though I began in-class, I moved to the online credit and enjoyed experiencing online learning from the teacher perspective. This assignment is a case study where I discussed which perspectives were already being considered in content and course design, and made recommendations for improvement.
I will also include a link here to another assignment in a similar vein, completed closer to the end of my time in the program. For Technology and the Curriculum I again chose to analyse my summer school course, this time for a paper about technology integration. Rather than critically analysing the course solely through the lens of learning theories, I also considered 21st century criteria. This assignment was much more specific, choosing a unit from the actual course and investigating how curriculum expectations might be met using technology.
I will also include a link here to another assignment in a similar vein, completed closer to the end of my time in the program. For Technology and the Curriculum I again chose to analyse my summer school course, this time for a paper about technology integration. Rather than critically analysing the course solely through the lens of learning theories, I also considered 21st century criteria. This assignment was much more specific, choosing a unit from the actual course and investigating how curriculum expectations might be met using technology.
This literature review attempts to chronicle research on features of effective online learning environments. While there is an overwhelming amount of research about online learning in general, it was difficult to find sources that give concrete examples of what online learning should look like. This assignment occurred late in my M.Ed, and so encompasses my main interest, online learning, which resulted from my participation in the program.
For this assignment I collected and annotated twenty articles about my chosen topic, synchronous and asynchronous learning in Computer Assisted Language Learning. "My topic" (a curated page on Scoop.it) is a public board that displays the articles I have "scooped" and my comments on them. Users can search the site and my topic, and source it for articles to add to their own topics on Scoop.it. I had never heard of this curation tool before this assignment. Though I am familiar with Pinterest for personal use, I found Scoop it to be an interesting and active professional community.
The content of this assignment is valuable in any discussion about computer mediated language learning (CALL) because the articles focus on Web 2.0 and its influence on learning. That said, the assignment itself has great potential for use in online learning because it teaches valuable skills including: Online research, sorting and evaluating sources, annotation and connection making, and curation. After opening my topic for the course assignment and searching for articles, I immediately created topic pages for other interests and began curating these as well. I found this task timely and authentic. I will continue to use Scoop It to curate my interests and share my ideas for academic use.
The content of this assignment is valuable in any discussion about computer mediated language learning (CALL) because the articles focus on Web 2.0 and its influence on learning. That said, the assignment itself has great potential for use in online learning because it teaches valuable skills including: Online research, sorting and evaluating sources, annotation and connection making, and curation. After opening my topic for the course assignment and searching for articles, I immediately created topic pages for other interests and began curating these as well. I found this task timely and authentic. I will continue to use Scoop It to curate my interests and share my ideas for academic use.