Reflective Journal #5

Topics Covered:

Module 9 covered building content in Canvas LMS.

Overview / Summary of Topics:

The focus of this lesson was building a lesson in the Canvas LMS. I found both Canvas and Blackboard easy to use. Creating my content in word and then organizing the content on my desktop they way I wanted the lesson to flow made uploading content to both systems flow very well. I found it much faster to upload and create my lesson in Blackboard. I felt like I was having to do double work in Canvas by having to upload my content to Files then attach it to a Page. Creating quizzes was easier in Canvas. Overall, both LMS are easy to you and I can see my self using either one in the future.

Item of Interest:

I would like more information on the ePortfolio in Canvas. What are thought about using this option to showcase your work ? The information provided is minimal and I feel there maybe more to this option.

Areas of Help or Clarification:

The starkness of the UI really bothered my eyes. I turned off the High Contrast UI default but it really only affects the text. Did anyone else find the starkness of the UI bothersome, if so what did you do to resolve it? I do not want to decrease the brightness of my screen for just one website.

Reflective Journal #4

Topics Covered:

Module 8 covered the various uses for Blackboard LMS as well as how to add content to the LMS to create a lesson.

Overview / Summary of Topics:

The articles provided focused on Blackboard and how it can be used to bridge communication and collaboration gaps between parents, students, and throughout the school district. School systems and digital academies use Blackboard to provide quality teachers and rigorous curriculum in core subjects across the state, country and internationally to areas in which  AP courses and electives were not available in a traditional school setting. By incorporating Blackboard or other LMS,students can have the opportunity to complete assignments, collaborate and communicate digitally,  preparing them for learning similar  at the college level. Blackboard provide and app that can be used by students to check grades, post announcements, sports schedules and other school related information.

Blackboard and other LMS do not just benefit students but teachers and parents as well. Teachers can create, store and share assignments within the LMS. The LMS can also be configured to grade particular assignments/tests. Parents, with a provided login, can access their child's grades and follow their progress in classes.

The Module 8 video focuses on how to build a lesson in Blackboard from a design document. The video demonstrates how to organize and add content to create the lesson.

As for developing in Blackboard, I found it fairly easy and intuitive. I felt very comfortable using this LMS. I liked the ease of rearranging items and then lessons themselves.I also found it very helpful to create and arrange the lesson content outside of Blackboard. It may uploading content a seamless process and I have the files saved to my  computer for future use if needed.

Item of Interest:

I found the Blackboard app interesting. Regarding developing in Blackboard, I found the whole process interesting. I would like to learn about all actions and tools available in the LMS.

Areas of Help or Clarification:

There are no areas I need clarification for at this time.

Reflective Journal #3

Topics Covered:

The Module 5 textbook reading discussed motivating students, lesson relevance, encouraging/motivating and student satisfaction . This week’s lecture tied to the text by discussing materials and activities relevance.

Overview / Summary of Topics:

The Module 5 text discussed motivating students. The difference between intrinsic( internal based--based on ones interest) and extrinsic (based on external factors-rewards) was explained. Aspects of motivation include:
Reinforcement and punishment
Capturing students attention-this can be hard to do in online courses. A starting place is for the teacher to show enthusiasm about the class. Other suggestions include varying lesson activities, providing diverse examples throughout the lesson,  and using various technology to present lessons.
Ensuring lesson relevance-It is important to tie lessons to real world practice. An example would be to explain a scenario in which the lesson can be applied in the workforce
Encouraging students to believe in themselves- provide words of encouragement. This can be in a weekly class email or in the form of comments on graded work. A little encouragement goes a long way.
Fostering student satisfaction with the course-to feel satisfied students need to belive they have 3 qualities- competence, relatedness and autonomy. This can be done by making lessons relevant to real world situation such as with the use of simulation. Explaining the value of the lesson so the student will feel it is worth the effort
Creating a social belonging-this can be achieved by an introduction discussion and student collaboration on projects

This weeks lecture supplemented the text by discussing additional ways to increase course/lesson relevance. Low relevance was a part of the lecture topic. Noting that when lesson activities are of no/low relevance, students begin to view the activities as busy work and lose interest and become dissatisfied with the course.

Item of Interest:

I actually found the entire chapter interesting. More so the sections on capturing attention and ensuring relevance. I plan on doing further research on these areas on my own.

Areas of Help or Clarification:

I have no area's that need clarification or help this week.

Reflective Journal #2

Topics Covered:

The Module 3 textbook reading covered choosing online course content, online copyright guidelines, guidelines for creating a syllabus and file organization. This week’s lecture focused on writing effective assessments.

Overview / Summary of Topics:

The Module 3 text discussed choosing and putting together online course content. It is pointed out a few factors to take into account when choosing the content:

·         Student attention span

·         Your own technology skills

·         Online content should be meaningful and engaging and not rely on the media

·         Determine what content to use and then hone it down to what is pertinent for the course

·         Determine how the content will be sequenced and organized

·         Determine best media for presentation

The lesson went on to discuss copyright guidelines including Fair Use (https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#107), Creative Commons, TEACH Act and materials in the public domain. The lesson also reviewed tips for obtaining copyright permission or license.  I also visited https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html to read more about the copyright law.

This week’s lecture focused on writing assessments. The key take away from the lecture is that the assessment has to tie back to the objective. The verb of the objective drives the assessment and the assessment must match the domain level. Other factors to consider include: specify and include grading criteria, use a rubric on subjectively graded items, allow students to view the rubric, provide good and back examples when possible. A variety of assessments should be used throughout the course. This allows all students the best opportunity to measure learning.

Item of Interest:

I found it interesting that there was a section on organizing files. Form me this is something that happens naturally and automatically. I already use a file organization system very similar to what is suggested in the text.

Areas of Help or Clarification:

I am still unsure of myself when writing assessments. I know this will get better overtime. I understand that the assessment is driven by the verb used in the objective and must match the domain level, but I feel I am still missing something. I am looking forward to feedback on this Reflective as well as Dr. Gales feed back on this week’s Lesson Design Project.