Examples of Distributed Learning
In chapter 28 there are many examples of distributed learning. The five that stood out at me the most were, virtual and hybrid classes, corporate distributed learning, free distributed learning, and for-profit distributed learning.
Online degree programs use the idea of virtual classes and hybrid classes. Students can register completely online and have a full set of student support services available to them. Some of the support services found online includes the library, bookstore, advising offices, and financial aide. Hybrid classes rely on the online resources, however they have limited face to face meetings as well.
Corporate distributed learning is great for professional training purposes. It is better on the budget of companies to use this type of training because of the money they save on out-of-town expenses. Employees are also able to get the training on their own time; there is no need for “scheduling” a training session.
Some ideas of free distributed learning can include the use of weblogs and videoconferences. In many of my graduate classes, these types of learning occur. The weblogs help keep communication open between both peers and the professor. Videoconferences are used more for necessary meetings or teachings of important new information. On the other hand, there is also “For-profit distributed learning”. Some ideas may include the use of books, DVDs, and websites.
One course I remember taking that had poor reusability characteristics was a multicultural development class. Within the time of this course I did not create or learn anything that could be reused. We mainly learned facts about multicultural events and what took place in history.
If I was to redesign the course, I would make sure to add some reusable aspects. When adding the reusable aspects, the underlying content would not be changed. I would have required my students to create a small portfolio including activities that explain different multicultural events that occurred within history. For example, if the student was reading a chapter in the text about Rosa Parks and the bus boycott, I would allow them to create an activity for their own future classrooms. These activities would be a way the teacher would introduce a specific multicultural event that occurred in history. The activities may include flash cards, board games, crossword puzzles, etc.
Rich Media
This video is called “The Compound Boogie”. This is a great visual that can be used for the instruction of compound words. I actually used it in my Kindergarten classroom and the students absolutely LOVED it!!
Surface Features: Animations/Video-The video uses both pictures and words to explain what a compound word is and how it is formed.
Functional Features: A functional feature is how well the visual conveys the message that was intended. This video does a great job of explaining the “message” of compound words. The first page will show two separate pictures with two separate words, the next page then shows how the two are joined together to create a new word and picture.
Future Instructional Technologies
When thinking of nanotechnology and my daily tasks as a teacher, there are many new thoughts that begin to form. One word could describe it all… EXCITING!! Technology has come so far and helps us in our daily routines, just imagine something better. In the future, I see nanotechnology being used to help give students a more hands-on approach to learning. Today we use large projectors that are mounted to the ceiling; in the future these projectors could become as small as a sheet of paper. This would allow students to each have access to the “projected” image; giving students a more personal approach to their own learning experience. Presently in my Kindergarten classroom, we are completing a unit on plants. This type of technology would give students a very fun and interactive way to learn about plants, their needs, and their parts.
Point of View
The textbook describes two points of view on the field of instructional design. The point of view I agree with most is the broad and inclusive road. The field of instructional design is very wide and complex. Because of this, there are an array of tools and resources needed to complete tasks within the field. Professionals will not need the same resources each time, the field is always changing and there is a need for accommodations towards diverse problems and solutions. With a sufficient level of freedom, especially in education, there are many goals that can be met. Therefore I definitely see the need for the field to be both “broad” and “inclusive”.
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