“Likewise, e-learning is a process of a learning group in action among
an increasing array of learning options and shared experiences.”(pg. 284) This
semester is my first time to take an online course. What I feel more impressively
is sharing experiences. This is what we never do before within a normal class
(on-campus class) in China. This is what I do during my undergraduate study:
listen to what the teacher introduce or explain to us, take notes, go back to dorm
and write paper, hang on the paper, done. We only can share experiences in presentation
which might happen once in a semester. But here is different, I can learn from
other classmates’ experiences, especially working experiences, by looking their
reflection, or discussion. This is actually what I need most since I didn’t
have such perspective due to lacking working experiences and coming from a
different country that has a different educational background. Also, since I got
benefit from e-learning and I feel like this is what my country need most, I
hope I can learn more about e-learning and maybe I can participate in this
field in the future.
“Likewise, it is preferable to think of e-learning technologies not as a
platform (e.g., a learning management system) but as parts of a functional
architecture combining technics in designed experiences that support learners’
reception or (preferably) construction of knowledge, skills and attitudes.” I
would put this word into my aphorism collection. I think it is what an IDT designer
should always remember in heart. We are not providing a tool to let student
use, but using technics to design an environment to help student improving
learning performance. As an online learner right now, I’m really enjoying to
observe about how different teachers design the online course. Right now, I
already experience two ways. One is this course that need reading and writing
reflection since theoretical knowledge are included in this course. But another
course I take, the Adobe Digital Design, is almost all about technics. So we
mainly learn how to use different software of Adobe Creative Clouds. In this
way, I’m not only study the knowledge including in those course, but also I’m
studying the experience about how to use the knowledge into practice.
Hi Xiao,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you are in this class with us this semester and so willing to share your experiences as they relate to the cultural differences between the U.S. and Chinese educational systems. I feel like I am learning just as much from your perspective as you are from me and the other classmates this semester. I think it easy to forget or to take for granted the systems you are embedded in until someone or something comes along to reveal alternative point of view! I always try to keep an open mind when it comes to learning new materials and subjects, but even then it helps to be reminded that there are always different and alternative perspectives to consider and I think as aspiring Instructional Designers it is in our best interests to always remember this as we move forward with new designs and ways of understanding learners from many different backgrounds, experiences, and levels of technological engagement. I think this also speaks to your point of the importance of understanding the whole picture, as it relates to e-learning, as parts of a larger "functional architecture". Thanks for another interesting post, i really enjoyed reading it.
Best,
Juan
I agree with Juan's observation. Very well said Juan.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your participation and clear headed thinking on these topics as well. I want to point out one in particular. You said "We are not providing a tool to let student use, but using technics to design an environment to help student improving learning performance."
Yes, this is it exactly. It's the outcomes that matter most, and each learner will have their own way of getting there with help. If it were all behavioristic and conditioned stimulus and response then the factory model of stand and deliver would work. If it had worked, there would have been no need of 'personal computing' at all.