I'm back after "some" time. I want to use this blog to put some thoughts into writing.

New Directions in Instructional Design and Technology

Teaching and learning has changed and will change through time. The environment in which I learned at the age of 9 is very different to the environment in which a 9 year old student learns in most US schools. Does that mean I am less worth than what a future teacher will be worth? Nope. It means the contexts are totally different so the comparison is not valid. The learning environment today involves a lot of technology. All of the technology hardware, software, programs, and the internet web fall under e-learning. Does e-learning mean efficient learning? It depends. 
Even though there are constant changes in technology, the basic backbone of ID and learning does not. Maybe I can compare it to the attire we wear. The attire might change constantly but it still has to adapt to our body. So, as the chapters towards the end correctly address the issue. The issue for the educator is to efficiently use technology to aid in the learning process. This means that educators need to pay attention to the instructional design and see how technology can assist the learner.

E-Learning Environment, Web 2.0, and Rich Media

E-learning environments- The purpose of these environments is to create authentic, real-world situations where students can construct knowledge, skills and attitudes. What I’m understanding is that the “traditional” way of learning is not as authentic and real world as the e-learning environment. I suppose that every learning environment (traditional or contemporary) wants to foster knowledge, skills and attitudes. But the push for the support of e-learning is based on that it is more of what is seen in their homes or what they will see in the business world. E-learning accompany the trends and performances in industrial and technological world.

Issue: The only issue I have with the increase of technology in our everyday life is the loss of reasoning in the common man or woman. For example we can use a calculator to solve very complex problems. It saves time and is accurate. But do we loose any ability to reason when we just become observers of the process and not active participants. I think that we have to be very careful that, as we work in e-learning environments we still have an environment for the acquisition of knowledge and skills necessary to reason and function in today’s world.  I guess the textbook touches on this when it compares technics vs trucks. Basically technology is a mere vehicle just like a truck delivering groceries. I was surprised to read that according to research there have been no significant differences in the outcomes between face to face instruction and media-type and distance learning.  

        Towards the end of chapter 29, it talks about how the field of ID and e-learning can be better recognized and promoted in higher education. This prompted me to think about teachers who are not trained enough on e-learning. I consider myself average in the field and yet there are many teachers in my campus who are afraid or insecure in using technology. The reasons for this lack of interest in using e-learning to the full could be lack of training. As it has been mentioned in the book, technology is constantly changing outside and inside the school walls. And educators need to be up to date (voluntarily or by forced trainings) in order to keep up with the changes in technology.

Web 2.0- Web 2.0 is referred to the technical capacities of a second-generation web. It relates to rapid applications that allows for collective participation. I checked out go2web20.net and was awed with the amount of applications. With regards to the classroom the most common web 2.0 tools used by most teachers are probably blogs, podcasts, and wikis. Of course there are a number of issues or challenges in using the applications. One issue that combines two skills is the language and the know how of the applications. Instructors as well as students need to understand each other and be able to understand how the application works. Just like using a skill saw or a blender one needs to know the function of each button or part. Other challenges revolve around deciding the age when certain applications need to be taught, how do teachers fit the know-how’s into their curriculum and of course make sure that using the web 2.0 tool enhances and fits the learning objectives.

        One of the great benefits of web 2.0 is the end value or product. When students learn and become participatory and collaborative in the learning process, then the outcome has greater significance.

         Another positive aspect of the applications is that they are accessible 24/7. This idea that trespasses the school walls meshes with the idea of life time learners. The classroom walls should not condition learning. Before my students left for summer break, I gave them a state supported math webpage where they could still work on their math skills. It has some incentives for continued progress.

Rich Media- The goal of Rich Media needs to be clear, there is a lot of rich media out there. But the aim should be to accommodate as much as possible to the human learning process. Rich media should enhance and give meaningful value to the learning and not detract or mislead. Rich media is video, animation, and audio presented through technology to the learner. Web 2.0 is the interaction that sometimes results from the exposure and use of Rich Media.

E-learning, Web 2.0 and Rich Media Help Aid Help Learners

         All of the three elements above go together. Maybe e-learning is the great umbrella in which rich media and web 2.0 fall under. I think the key point here is understanding how we learn and how can we adapt these to the learner and the learning process. I think an issue that I have faced in e-learning is the student ability to use or speak the language of e-learning. This challenge of course is in those emerging grade levels where students are starting to work independently using computers and the web. Once students know how to navigate and use search engines then we can focus more on the learning in itself.

        One great advantage of e-learning is the speed and readiness available to the student. Much time in the searching for information or the communicating has been reduced by the use of e-learning. Another advantage of e-learning is the presentation of information. Through rich media learners are exposed to information in a richer way and that sometimes allows the interaction or interest of the learner guide him or her in their own particular path. In many cases E-learning lends itself to a constructivist approach to learning. When students are able to take more ownership of their work or have more freedom in the way they present their work then it allows the student to have more say in their learning.

         Currently I use e-learning in most of the subjects I teach. Most of our textbooks come with online support. So depending on the objective I might use the online support or just use the traditional textbook. Since I teach third-grade I use a lot of the rich media in order to present information to my students. We have a computer lab in our school that allows my students to learn the language or use of the programs available to them and the Internet. So, at this age they are still learning how to use the tools for e-learning. This means that they are somewhat at the receiving end of technology. One of the areas I want to grow in is using blogs and podcasts. After learning more about them and how I could use them in the classroom I can see their use in aiding my students in their learning process. 

E-learning: ethical issues, accessibility, leaning styles, and guidance issues

When I talk about e-learning I am talking about the use of technology, web 2.0 and rich media all in one. The internet is a big role player in e-learning. The internet is an interesting place. One can communicate instantly, see incredible landscapes, travel though videos, laugh, and also cry.  The internet provides so many options that educators need to make sure in what they choose to use. I think the internet is the place where most of our ethical issues arise. As educators we have the responsibility to provide our students with technology that will enhance their learning. As educators we need to provide an overall safe environment without stereotypes and understanding the personal rights of the clients (students).

With regards to enhancing accessibility, I think that e-learning has the ability to aid most learners in the learning process. Technology has developed and fine tuned itself to the needs of the handicapped population. Now we can see software that can put voice into words for the visually impaired.