I really enjoyed this quote from the text:
As K. Patricia Cross states, “learning is not so much an additive process, with new learning simply piling up on top of existing knowledge, as it is an active, dynamic process in which the connections are constantly changing and the structure reformatted.” As instructors, we often think of this idea of just adding information and knowledge to our students' already existing knowledge, so that when they graduate they have this jar full of knowledge and experience to take with them into a career. But without building these connections and structures between ideas, information, experiences, then students won't be able to access this information or make decisions based on newly acquired knowledge.
Time management can be a challenge for many online students. This has proven to be true in my current role.
So definitely being a student via online requires a more student center approach versus teacher approach. It is harder to be on top of students when it comes to taking exams. That is why discussions and collaborative interaction, a teacher can get a genuine feel how each student is and really performs. Also, the use of rubrics is a great way for students to use for guidance in their assignments, and easier for teachers to look upon and use as a reference when grading.
I think to keep in mind not only using the traditional way of teaching but to be open to incorporate other active learning techniques as well. Just keep evolving like everything does in life and how we learn.
I don't know - what I'm reading is a lot of chaotic change that both students and instructors resist. What am I missing?
In this module I learned about the importance of the instructor's attitude and being student oriented is key to implementing Active learning strategies. The strategies for engaging the learner must be directly related to the course and the learning objectives. We also need to have a rubric for grading and provide feedback on a continuous basis. The student needs to feel the active learning strategy has a purpose and will help them to learn. I like the concept of the "periodic pause" and "Flipping the Class", I have used both of these strategies in F2F classroom and I will try to use it in the online environment as well.
All good teaching involves assessment. Students need to understand the parameters of the assessment and rubrics can help. It is important to have to rubric directly connected to the Learning outcomes as well.
The risk felt when moving towards active learning can be mitigated by rubrics that all for defining and assessing assignments and assuring that students will work towards the necessary breadth and depth of the subject matter. The illustration of the director seems fitting, although it is possible that in Hollywood the director's role is far more detailed than what is described in this course. I see bringing the streams together, that is 1. the studied and lived expertise of an instructor who has dedicated decades to understanding a topic, and 2. the active inquiry of the student who will better understand and remember if they are more engaged in the process of the transmission of this knowledge to them.
Student engagment is important to keep students involved and is facilitated by the instructor.
I have spent my entire academic life online (17 years) and I still find it interesting to hear traditional on-ground instructors who feel that online is inferior to on-ground learning. Clearly they are not willing to abandon the platform they are so accustomed to using and are both indifferent and attitudinally negative with regard to online learning, unwilling to accept it or embrace it. Hopefully Covid has changed a few minds - but I doubt it.
The alignment of active learning actitivies with course objectives is critical. The students need to be able to see how the activity connects to the outomes. otherwise they often see the activities as a waste of their time. The instuctor can explain how the activity will help them aciheve the outcomes and that their use of the activity was well-thought out and meant to faciliatate learning and achievement of objectives.
I have become a supporter and advocate for active learning and now make practically all my activities into exercises of sorts
Studying-centered-learning allows the student to take control of their progress.
I learned the professor needs to change his/her attitudes.
Through consistent and timely feedback active learning will be successful as students receive the input for uccess often.
Rubrics can accomplish three things...1. communicates assignment expectations to students 2. provides a grading structure for instructors 3. after grading, provides feedback to students on what criteria they did not meet. I HIGHLY recommend using rubrics, especially for online.
All good teaching involves assessment. This includes courses using active learning techniques.
Rubrics can assist instructors in adequately grading students’ learning in this academic environment
and assist students in understanding the expectations.
Rubrics are critical to connecting learning outcomes to overall success in online courses.
Modifications of traditional classroom activities shifts from all the attention on teacher towards the students. It is more a student centered approach rather than teacher centered. As mentioned in my previous post, teachers are not accustomed teaching active learning when coming straight from a classroom setting. I myself, as both an in class and online instructor, I love to engage my students by asking them for feedback. For example, "what do you guys think?", "has this ever happened to anyone?", or read case studies and then ask them what they would do in certain situations.
There are approaches to be effective with active learning. For example, creating a comfortable learning environment is vital and building rapport with the students are necessary. As an instructor, learning the students first name and last names and use them regularly will show an interest in content of learning. Active learning is any learning activity in which the student participates or act together with the learning process, as resisted to passively taking in the information. It is important when given the opportunity to actively engage with the information they are learning, students will perform better. Examples of active learning activities include brainstorming, discussing, teaching, group work, focused listening, formulating questions, notetaking, and my favorite roleplaying.
