Section 7 New Directions in IDT

For the first part of your blogging, what learning goals or objectives could the technologies you selected help learners foster? How can the technology facilitate attainment of that learning goal better than traditional instruction? How soon will you adopt or implement the chosen technology to your instruction or work? How can design concepts or principles apply to your preparation? What would be difficult or challenging, if any, and what is your strategy to resolve or alleviate them?

• I selected Web 2.0 (Ch 31) and Rich Media (Ch 32)
• The Web 2.0 chapter was full of great info on both the ways it can facilitate learning and a few cautions.  I think Web 2.0 is a great classroom tool in helping students learn from each other, reflect on their learning and to see what other students have to say about the same or different topics. Students can create blogs and use them as journals for reflections and share them with peers to create a broader learning atmosphere.  It really follows along with the constructivist viewpoints. I hope to incorporate the use of blogs and other Web 2.0 technologies across my new campus as soon as possible.  I’ll have to get a feel for what is already being done but from what I’ve heard they are in need of someone to get the ball rolling with technology.  I know I will have resistance from some of the staff but it’s nice to know that the admin is fully on board to make the school more tech involved.
• I enjoyed Chapter 32 on Rich Media.  Several things were eye opening to me.  Such as sometimes less is more.  I mean that’s something we all know but with all the resources we have today sometimes we feel the need to make things bigger and better, or more of a production, when really we need to focus on what’s most important, LEARNING.  I think it’s important to keep learning at the forefront of everything we are doing.  When creating a lesson it best to look at the concept you’re wanting the students to learn.  If the lesson would best be taught without a huge production.  Think about students prior learning and how the message would best be taught with learning as the final outcome.  I think it’s important to stress this concept to teachers so they don’t always feel obligated to integrate technology that might not be the best option but rather because they feel it’s necessary.

Section IX focuses on issues related to instructional design, rather than new technologies: professional ethics, diversity and accessibility, the nature of design, and providing instructional guidance. Select two chapters that you find most relevant or interesting. For the technologies you selected above, discuss how each of those two chapters can apply from this section (e.g., What ethical issues using the technology might present. Does the technology enhance or impose accessibility and accommodate diverse learning needs? How and/or can you design more effective instruction or learning using that technology? How much guidance would instruction with that technology require? What kinds of guidance would be necessary?)

• Last semester I did a project over UDL.  After completing that project I have a new found passion for creating lessons that are designed to meet the needs of all learners.  I feel like if you create your lessons from the get go with each learners unique needs in mind then you will be less likely to have to reteach later on.  The book states,” Create learning environments that promote cultural sensitivity, flexible learner interactions, and authentic learning experiences.”1  I could not agree more! For example, when designing a video lesson incorporate any captions or visual aids that might be needed for each student to fully benefit from the lesson.
• It’s also extremely important to instill the importance of web safety and ethics to students from the moment they can access the web.  Teaching copyright laws, diversity, privacy and self-representation are all import factors when allowing students the freedom to create their own blogs, do research and interact with peers on Web 2.0 apps and more.  Now more than ever students need to know the dangers and benefits of using such beneficial tool.    

1.Reiser, Robert V.; Dempsey, John V.. Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology    (3rd Edition) (Page 301). Pearson HE, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

2. Readwriterespond.org