Dr. Ruth Reynard

Location: fayette, oh

About me

I founded a non-profit, Community Education for Development (CED) to focus on developing programs for communities in Fayette and Fulton Co OH that focus on education for development. The website is: https://www.comeddev.com/

I also work as a freelance education consultant and a second language evaluator. I enjoy publishing articles and editing publications. My website is: www.drruthreynard.com

Interests

instructional design and development and program development.

Skills

faculty training / writing / editing / teaching / curriculum development / instructional technology

Website

https://www.drruthreynard.com

Activity

Dr. Ruth Reynard

Discussion Comment

New Skills and Learning Assessment

Some interesting and strongly felt ideas here, Jack - good discussion. I agree that assumptions can be made without full understanding of issues and that there can be pros and cons to any technology use depending on the motivation behind that use. Human beings of course can become addicted to just about anything! There is also a fine line between developing individual thinkers and life choices that require more living of life than teenagers have done...yet again, assumptions cannot be made. My sense is that if the system requires difficult choices to be made by high schoolers, then those choices… >>>

Dr. Ruth Reynard

Discussion Comment

Evaluating Learning

Hi Jack, Yes, there is a logical connection , however I would suggest that often the learning process is interrupted or diminished through external influences that are not part of the instructional design - things like pre-set testing or ineffective assignments, or teacher-driven content. Therefore, instructors are central in supporting the process throughout.

Dr. Ruth Reynard

Discussion Comment

New Skills and Learning Assessment

Yes, good points, Scott. It is very true that language use is most meaningful in context and those approaches to learning that maximize the whole context tend to be more useful. I would suggest that much language teaching methodology applies well to other disciplines given that language is front and center of communication.

Dr. Ruth Reynard

Discussion Comment

The Nomadic Learner

Hi Thomas, Yes, that's an interesting discussion - it is true we "hijack" terms from various disciplines in academia...in fact, knowledge construction is really about exploring concepts for the sake of understanding. Much happens to support understanding and often terms pop up in various contexts but with slightly different meanings - thus your reference to "hijacking" :) Regarding young people and their use of digital and mobile media - my sense is that while young users of these technologies may be knowledgeable about the actual functions of the technology, they still have to be taught academic skills like research. Therefore… >>>

Dr. Ruth Reynard

Discussion Comment

New Skills and Learning Assessment

Yes, Jolly, we are all very relieved when people who need to know it can recall exact information at the right time :) I agree that the higher order thinking skills are developed differently and my sense is that while we might still have a need to include rote learning for some aspects of a course or a program, increasing the thinking skills of our students is central to their ongoing learning and their ability to make sense of what they know quickly and in different contexts of use.

Dr. Ruth Reynard

Discussion Comment

The Effect of New Technology

Good points, Scott. Using the Internet and Web2 tools is a great way to provide a context around projects so that students can share within that context and not elsewhere. This is helpful for teachers as well and keeps the focus on the collaborative skills being developed.

Dr. Ruth Reynard

Discussion Comment

Using Technology to Develop New Skills

Yes, Jolly, and the skill development using new technology is mulilayered. That is, various skills can be developed at once - this of course can be the case without technology, however, with technology it usually happens. We don't always value every skill that is developed and struggle with adequate assessments in that regard.

Dr. Ruth Reynard

Discussion Comment

Internet Changes

Yes, great point, Jolly. The next generation of instructional technology will for sure be about immersive learning environments which will, in turn, challenge again the notions of authentic learning and affective digitally-based assessment. At graduate school we studied MOOS and used them to create learning environments. Who knew??? :)

Dr. Ruth Reynard

Discussion Comment

The Effect of New Technology

Hi Jolly, Certainly distance learning has been around and used a variety of technology for many years. Also, instruction has often been supported by technology starting with the slate and scraper :) "New" technology usually refers to technology since the Internet that uses hypertext/hyperlink technology and web rather than linear connectivity. While within Internet-based learning environments, many technologies can be used and some that are quite new while others that are not, the technology of the Internet has introduced multidimensional and multilayerd functionality that challenges the very core of conventional instruction.

Dr. Ruth Reynard

Discussion Comment

Characteristics of Dynamic Learning Environments

I think this is very interesting, Jolly, and provides the instructors with a great opportunity to engage the students in the learning process rather than focusing mainly on the content...

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