NLP Part 3

 

https://youtu.be/pi61dqkevAc

The video above highlights the general context of the Network Learning Project.  Within the video, the goals were identified and reviewed for completion or success.  The sources of learning were also described as well as some examples of my work and how they related to the goals. 

Learning this way allowed for self-exploration and self-paced development.  As our goals were individual, we could proceed and progress however we wanted.  The any-time any-where approach to learning certainly has its advantages.  

In my context, the gathering of new knowledge was done through online tools and resources, and the sharing was done through the blog, though so extensively and limited to one only a few people.  What was lacking for me was the third step…the community of learners’ piece.  In an online scenario, this is a challenge to create.  In an in-person experience, learning new knowledge, sharing it and having a learning community to share with can much more easily be created.  I can understand why many people feel that they do better (and maybe more successful) in this type of learning environment.  Individual lessons are one thing, but if I were to have participated in a fully online course, the design of it would have to be conducive to an online learning platform.  As Bartoletti states “Good lessons need to allow for reflection and “designing, developing, and teaching a MOOC created what Waite et al. describe as trigger moments for improving teaching (2013). Those triggers facilitated reflection immersed in an atmosphere of collaboration” (as cited by Bartoletti, R. 2016 p. 20). 

Another important element in this type of learning has to do with the learners themselves.  We know that there are many learning styles and, as such, the structure of this assignment gave way too many of these styles.  For example, the visual (spatial) learner has greater success when “they use symbols, boxes, charts and colours in their notes” (e-Learning Infographics, 2018), whereas the verbal (linguistic) learner prefers “reciting information out loud, writing their notes and highlighting the key point.  When building online learning experiences, keeping in mind the various learning styles is essential and, in my opinion, a must.  A variety of activities, tasks and resources will only enhance not only the lesson but the student experience. 

One last possible disadvantage has to do with access to technology and/or the internet.  Within our school board, for example, not all areas are covered by internet or cell reception.  As such, to have students work independently on such a project or use such resources would need to be a school-based activity as opposed to work done at home.

 In the past, when I have given workshops, I have always provided the teachers with additional resources including next-step resources.  In recent years, I have started providing teachers with online resources to review before our session, thus hopefully being able to progress a little faster through the content.  It is almost like a flipped classroom scenario, but rather than the entire content being made available to them, I provide the introduction.  It is a technique that has, thus far, worked well. 

 I thoroughly enjoyed this approach to learning and, having it linked to the course gave me the little push I needed.  As the resources I used were good but exploring online courses (rather than simple videos) might allow me to further develop my skills. I will continue and keep with my goals of further developing my technique and my skills.