A.  What Instructional Design theories lend themselves to development of online learning environments? Which one did you lean toward in developing your course? When we are building online courses students need opportunities to be active in the learning and personalize the experience.  If teachers personalize learning there could be significant economic benefits (Paludan, 2006).  That’s why constructivism leads it self so well to online learning.  Designing online courses with a constructivist approach allows the learner to have a bigger part in the learning process. and they can personalize the learning to their needs.  There are many theories we have learned … Continue reading Week 5 Reflection 5318

I think these are 2 of the most important aspects of designing a course.  They need to have active learning and good feedback.  I’ve tried to take online courses before that didn’t have active learning and I got bored and stopped them pretty quick.  I work with elementary students and they need to be active!  I tried to design my course so it’s a simple idea that they can get active in pretty quick.  The videos are really short and then they can get started on the activity.  I think it’s also important to break it down into small chunks so they can build … Continue reading The Importance of Active Learning and Quality Feedback

In Chapter 8 they were discussing the ease of use when it comes to using technology.  This is a huge thing for schools to remember.  I used to be a Instuctional Technology Coach in my old district and they kept wanting to look at various platforms for us to use with our elementary students.  Our other instructional coach for the upper grades always wanted to use Google.  In elementary school our kids used iPads because they are much easier for them to use.  I was trying to get them to see the value of programs like Seesaw and Showbie, which do the same thing but … Continue reading Making Online Learning Easy

When I was reading about MOOCS in the reading this week I was interested by the finding that students did better when there was an instructor who gave encouragement to the students.  I think that’s big factor in student success no matter what type of course, but it might be even more important online.  I work with elementary students and they love getting encouragement and it usually seems to help them push a little harder in their learning.  I’m designing my course for 2nd grade students and I want to make sure that they can still get that encouragement.  I see … Continue reading Learners need encouragement