Yeah, yeah, I KNOW. These are two different types of classes: 756 was an online class, and the 621 is a face class. And I know that Tiffany put intentional confusion in the organization and structuring of the online class so that we could experience the kinds of confusion that can befall an online/distance learning class environment.
That being said, I can certainly appreciate the work Tiffany puts into organizing blackboard for 621:
- assignments and deliverable dates were not spread out over several locations
- expectation are clearly spelled out
- she has limited the number of blackboard features to which we have access
- she walked us through the blackboard class site and explained how things work
- I loved the overview of philosophies, learning theories, learning strategies, using the pyramid and showing the connection between the philosophies and theories and strategies. I was able to following this 30K foot explanation. Typically I get overwhelmed and confused by philosophies and theories. But not so tonight.
- the name game was a simple way to review prior knowledge of learning strategies
- the elephant exercise was an effective way to solicit prior knowledge of an instructional model (i.e., Gagne's 9 Events), as well as to bring awareness of the challenges learners face internally when receiving instruction.
- the fact that she used a combination methods to engage us versus a lecture with powerpoint. We drew, we strategized, we presented, we interacted.
Right now, the fact that we will be learning and applying learning theories to frame our instruction seems very overwhelming to me. But I also feel that if I just apply what Tiffany teaches, I should be able to do this. I'm not a philosophy/theory type of gal. THEORIES? I don't need no stinking theories.
