Dr. Ruth Reynard

Hi James, Yes, I agree with your observations of the benefits of focusing on the learning process. In your own teaching, how can you ensure your focus remains on process over content?

Yes indeed, James, the online environment increases accountability in a very immediate way. How do you use this to improve the instructional experience for your students?

So, role playing as well as scenario creation helps to situate the students within what I call, "a meaningful context of use". This allows the learning to be as relevant as possible. Great ideas, Chris!

Excellent, Chris! Yes, it's amazing what teachers can learn about their students by meeting them on equal "human" ground and simply listening to what they have to say. I like your idea of "team" as, again, this is so important for students to learn in preparation for future professional success.

Indeed, the ease of textbook use can counter the actual learning process that should be taking place. Interestingly, teachers must remain critically engaged themselves with the course content if they want students to develop critical approaches to their own learning.

Yes, Chris...actually commitment to the learning process ends up sometimes being the biggest challenge for teachers. It often appears necessary to intervene and while that may be necessary at some points, not always. The process of learning must continue and be supported by the teachers...not interrupted. Can you think of ways you could provide checks and balances for yourself in negotiating this challenge?

Awesome, Chris! I like your focus on supporting all processes within the course with technology so that it is fully integrated into the course life. I also agree that simulation technology is a great way to learn situational thinking as well as critcal thinking. What kinds of assignemnts could support this type of learning?

Yes, I agree Chris. So what kinds of changes does this approach make to how your course is constructed and delivered to your students?

I love your thinking here, Chris. It just reminded me of language classes back in the day where teachers spent time making us memorize textbook sentence constructions and scenarios but did not spend time actually teaching us the language - the result being that we could only quote a textbook! Why do teachers spend so much time still testing students on preset responses to what should be complex problems?

Very true, Chris. However, instuctors who are aware of the potential and capability of each technolgy application and use within educational contexts can be intentional about the development of new skills in students - skills that may not be developed without the technology. Can you think of a new skill that could be intentionally developed in your students by introducing a new technology use with them?