In my role as instructional technology specialist, I am always looking for ways to train teachers on how to use our 1 to 1 Chromebooks in ways that will increase student engagement. For this reason, I created a fully online professional learning opportunity for teachers in my school. The course could also be used district wide for teachers on other campuses. The purpose of the course is to give teachers experience using four different creativity tools that they can use in their classrooms, with their students. By using these creativity tools, students will be able to demonstrate mastery of content in a different, more engaging way.
Instructional Design Theories
The three instructional design theories that lend themselves to the development of online learning environments are: objectivism, cognitivism, and constructivism. All of these theories can be used in online learning and deciding which is theory or theories to use should be considered when planning a course.
Objectivism is a theory that focuses on what is to be learned: facts, formulas, terminology and principles and is teacher focused (Bates, 2015). My online course does not use this instructional design theory, however there are times that I could see myself using this theory. For example, it would be appropriate when teaching a course on using spreadsheets to analyze data.
Cognitivism focuses on how to learn. The focus is on thinking and making sense of the environment (Bates, 2015). Learning is viewed as an active process and the emphasis is on building knowledge and the learning product is a result of how the learner processes their learning (Dabbagh, 2002).
In the theory of Constructivism the focus is on assimilating information, relating it to existing knowledge and processing it (Bates, 2015). Learning is an active process and provides authentic, real-world learning experiences (Dabbagh, 2002).
In my professional learning course I combined two theories, cognitivism and constructivism. Cognitivism was used in learning to use the creativity tools. When learning to use a technology tool, you build on previous computer knowledge and skills, this is even more evident with the Adobe Spark products which are three different products in the same software suite. Learning to use new creativity tools is an active process and while learning, the emphasis is on building knowledge of how to use the tools. Tutorials for each software program were provided to aid in the learning process. I employed constructivism with the assignments in my course. Learners in the course will create an exemplar, of their choice, with each tool. This gave them an opportunity to use the tools in an authentic way which makes the learning more meaningful. In addition, collaboration is used on the last assignment and throughout the course via discussion posts.
Plan Implementation
When creating an online course, planning is a very important first step as it gives you the “what” before you try to determine the “how”. I used a 3 column table to plan my course instead of using the UhD template (week 1 assignment) as it worked better for structuring my course. When creating the course, I always kept the BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) of “Learners will demonstrate their knowledge of tools for harnessing student creativity by creating lessons and exemplars for their students using each program” in mind.
The 3 column table gave me a place to create my learning goals, then I could easily reference those goals as I created learning activities and assessments that would help my learners achieve the goals as they progressed through the course.
Importance of Online Learning
The importance of online learning has been on my mind since spring break last year when we had to quickly change the way all students learned. What bothered me last year is schools, including mine, were doing online learning all wrong. There were many reasons for this and I don’t think it is helpful in this space to go into all of them. What is important is that change happens. At the beginning of the year, schools did a better job of letting teachers create the learning, which improved the quality of learning. However, most teachers were not trained in creating online learning so there is still room for improvement.
From this course, I have learned the importance of creating effective online learning. There are many reasons for this, credit recovery, distance learning, college courses and professional learning. The move to online learning is important as it meets students needs, where they are.
Online learning can give students, who would not normally have access to learning, a chance to dramatically implore their lives. I was truly inspired by the video Build a School in the Cloud. that introduced me to Sugata Mitra’s Self Organized Learning Environments that started by giving children access to a computer through a hole in the wall.. Though he wasn’t talking specifically about online learning, starting with a simple act, he changed lives. We can use online learning to change lives.
Enduring Understanding
This course has taught me the importance of planning and keeping the end in mind when creating an online course. I now have the planning tools and experience in creating an online course from start to end. These are skills I will use as I move forward and create other courses in my role as an instructional technology specialist. The OSCQR website is an excellent resource I will refer back to as I create new courses as it gave me things to think about. Through using this resource, I realized the importance of putting the information learners need in many locations so that it is easily accessible. I previously did not understand how important redundancy of information is. After creating this course, I understand the importance of putting information in several locations so that learners do not have to search for it, so that it is available where they need it. An example of this is how to post on the discussion board. It is in the course information topic, and also included each week on the discussion board assignment.
Our open source textbook, Teaching in a Digital Age by Tony Bates is another resource I will continue to refer to. Bathes said it best in the introduction “It’s about you helping your students to develop the knowledge and skills they will need in a digital age: not so much digital skills, but the thinking and knowledge that will bring them success” (Bates, 2015). This is something I always need to impress upon my learners, which are the teachers.
Successful Online Courses
During this course, I have been thinking about other successful online courses. Colleges, of course, have successful programs such as the one we are enrolled in through Lamar. But I wanted to find other examples. Here are some examples that I found:
- UT Online High School – This online high school allows multiple types of high school credit. Courses that can be taken range from credit recovery to advanced classes. There is a free associated with these courses.
- Round Rock ISD – Round Rock ISD offers 846 courses online. Some courses are instructor led (6 week courses) and others self paced (access is available for 3 months). Courses allow you to learn new personal or professional skills and are available for a charge.
- Austin ISD new teacher course. My idea of a new course I could create was online new teacher orientation, Austin ISD has this done, though because I am not a new teacher I do not have access.
RESOURCES
Bates, A. (2015, April 05). Teaching in a digital age. Retrieved February 20, 2021, from https://opentextbc.ca/teachinginadigitalage/?s=instructional%2Bdesign%2Btheories
Dabbagh, N. (2002). The instructional design knowledge base. Retrieved February, 19, 2021 from Nada Dabbagh’s Homepage, George Mason University, Instructional Technology Program. Website: http://cehdclass.gmu.edu/ndabbagh/Resources/IDKB/index.htm;
Mitra, S. (Director). (2013, February). Build a school in the cloud [Video file]. Retrieved February 20, 2021, from https://www.ted.com/talks/sugata_mitra_build_a_school_in_the_cloud?language=en#t-32949
Sandra Negro 