Learning Partners & Blogs

Blogs have advantages and disadvantages when being used as an instructional tool. In the digital age we all live in now, creating a blog as an ongoing assessment of learning in a classroom is becoming more popular.

There are many positive aspects of blog assignments, such as higher motivation levels, and student engagement. Other aspects include:
1)      Collaboration
·       Peer review
·       Instant feedback
·       Share research and opinions

2)      Discussion Outside of Class
·       Equal participation opportunities
·       Networking and community
·       Exploring and expanding topics critically

3)      Digital Portfolio
·       Attention to writing quality
·       Long-term idea storage
·       Recognition of evolution of thought

There are limitations to blogs as well. There are risks of cultural and gender insensitivity, use of informal and inappropriate language, and inappropriate content selection. These can be mitigated by setting best practices and a code of conduct right from the start of the task. Participants, once made aware of possible consequences for improper use, will respect others and the integrity of the task.

Through making blogs of my own for courses, I have learned that there is great value in tracking my learning as I go. I am better able to reflect on my learning and edit as I go. Blogs are a tool for summative assessment, and as a teacher, I intend to use them as an instructional strategy moving forward. Blogging is a way to create learning environment that is life-long and reflective.

When taking my Foundations in Adult Education class, I was matched with a learning partner. We had a skype date and shared some research we had done on trends in our industries. It was interesting to learn from the perspective of someone who is not a language teacher, but is an instructor/trainer in a professional field. She taught me about teleconferencing in medicine and professional learning in a digital age. Here is a link to her blog:
Student Corner

And here are some links for the articles I shared with her about curriculum and online learning:
Trends that will Shape the Future of Curriculum
Ways Online Learning Enables Change

In my Instructional Strategies class I have been working with a group of professionals who have all spent time putting together blogs of their own to showcase their learning process, interests, research, etc. Here are links to their blogs. Take some time to check them out.
Changing and Inspiring the Learners
John Cole Blog
Never Stop Learning
Teaching Adventure Site
Ready Start Learn
On a Walkabout
Happy Learning 2016
Karen Burrows
Adventures in Adult Learning
John Powszedny
SSC PIDP Blog
Kurt PID Blog
My PIDP Learning Journey
TrainEducate
Annotations

In my Media-Enhanced Learning class students were given quite a bit of choice for their major assignments. As the blog has been an assessment for many students in taking the PID program, it is great to see that they are invested in their  transformations as bloggers. One thing you'll notice about this program is that students all come from a variety of professional backgrounds, which is quite interesting when looking at how each of us approaches the assessments. Here are some of their blogs for you to peruse.
Chasing Mathematics
Reid's Read
Dawn Leonard RMT
My Journey Through Education

In my Professional Practice class our blog posts are primarily based on Stephen Brookfield's The Skillful Teacher. Each week we post about a chapter and how it relates to other sources connected to our practice, and on our direct experiences. Here are some of the blogs of my classmates:
Instructor Under Construction
Aren't we all just winging it?
PIDP Education Blog
Does the Learning Ever End
My PIDP Diploma Journey
A Career in Learning
Kwketchum

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Concept Checking Questions (CCQs)

Image
“Right?” “Does that make sense?” “Cool?” “OK?”  These are all variations of the question "do you understand?" and these types of questions are ineffective at checking your student's understanding. Instead, it is better to ask concept check questions (CCQs). What is a CCQ? What can it check for? A concept checking question is designed to highlight the core the meaning of the lesson's target, whether that's a concept, language, communicative functions, or really, for anytime you want to ask, “Do you understand?”  The objective of concept checking is through critical thinking learners will enhance their learning of a target by adding to what they already know. By using CCQs: You can draw out what your learners know Learners get to participate in the learning process of discovering and understanding the new target Learners articulate their knowledge You can clarify and add to their knowledge  Golden rules for using CCQs: Plan CCQs in advance Ask
Read more

Instruction Checking Questions (ICQs)

Image
Concise, logical instructions are crucial to the success of any activity in the language classroom. We have all experienced the results that poor instructions can have: failure from s’s to do/complete tasks,  repetition or reprimands, students who “zone out” or aren’t paying attention when instructions are given,  frustration from both teachers and students etc.  Through analysis of contextualized examples of instructions, this blog post will look at what to consider when giving instructions and how to follow up with Instruction Checking Questions. There are many factors that can help or or hinder whether instructions given will be understood. I know, unfortunately though experience, that the instructions we give can make or break an activity.  Without clear instructions, students may become confused, may lose confidence, and may not get the most out of the learning experience you are trying to create. Let’s take a look at what this essential teaching skill really lo
Read more

BOPPPS Workshop

Image
Here is a workshop on a lesson planning framework that works great for college instructors. The instructions for each section of the workshop, including all materials needed, are here in this post.  The workshop is in the form of a BOPPPS, so as you teach it, participants are experiencing a BOPPPS. If you're looking to help your instructors create more dynamic lessons, or if you are training your staff on how to deliver a lesson, this post is sure to help. LESSON PLANNING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP 120-145 Minutes Materials: ·        Post-its ·        Skittles x 12 packages ·        Handouts o    Components of a BOPPPS Plan, o    BOPPPS Framework, o    Sample Lesson, o    Objectives Note Page, o    Identifying and Rewriting Objectives, o    Blank BOPPPS Template, o     Evaluation Page, and o    1 Minute Paper ·        Cut outs o    Sequencing a BOPPPS, and o    Objectives Cards o   2 copies of each course book o   2 copies of each
Read more