e-Learning
This chapter on e-Learning reminded me of our discussion we had last week about Blackboard Collaborate. Last week, our technology integration chair shared with us that there is space in our access to Blackboard Collaborate for all of our teachers to have a room. We were discussing several ways that this could be used with our students.
- Break out rooms for groups to collaborate during the class time
- Sessions during times like our snow storm we had last year
- Help sessions for small groups which can be recorded for the entire class to review
As the chapter indicated there are advantages and disadvantages to e-Learning. The instructor plays one of the most important roles in ensuring that e-Learning is successful. The instructor facilitates the learning. The instructor must make sure that the course content is very well organized; he/she is very well knowledgeable of the subject matter; and rapport with the students is developed from the beginning of the course.
The topic of ePortfolios captured my attention in this chapter, especially since I had to prepare my ePortfolio. This is an excellent way to showcase students' work as well as determine the progress of students throughout the course. I enjoy hearing what my colleague Shelley is doing with her class in this area. I am still trying to determine how I can effectively manage ePortfolios with my second graders.
I like the idea of using the technology for classroom activities. I would veto the snow day session. Snow days are the best when uninterrupted by academics! The help sessions for small group are good, too. I love the videos on The Khan Academy. Making videos like those available would be great, too. Kids can watch and re-watch until concepts are clear. Y'all have a good thing over where you are.
ReplyDeleteWe're twins this week! I posted the same thing about Blackboard Collaborate. I now have my own room to use whenever I wish.
ReplyDeleteThanks for mentioning my ePortfolios! Things are going well, and I am learning what I want to do...and also what I want to change for next year. Did you know that you can create a Google Site and publish it as a template? Your second graders could easily edit webpages once you create a template. What an amazing thing to do with 8 year-olds... If anyone can do it, you can!
Using elearning in education has several advantages, as you mention. I like the idea of having learning sessions archived for students who may have missed class to go back and review, or even students who just want to go back over notes. But as you say, there must be strong leadership facilitating for this to be effective.
ReplyDeleteI will look into blackboard collaborate.
Linda, I agree with what you said about eLearning. The role of the instructor is critical in success of eLearning. The class should be extremely well organized otherwise students can be completely lost. I am usually a person who manage things well; nonetheless, I often felt confused when taking online courses because such environment makes me easily get off track on assignments to be completed...Personally, I feel online courses are more challenging even though they allow me to save times...!
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