This course was very informative and challenging, but I appreciated it. When I saw the course would be theory heavy, I thought it would be uninteresting and just a read this and answer this question type of model. However, that was not the case. The way the instructor got us involved with the course content was engaging. Comparing and contrasting theories made them seem interesting. Being able to relate theories to our personal experiences and seeing the experiences of others was also very rewarding.
One of the highlights was the weekly wrap-ups and introduction to the new modules. Each new module the instructor would comment on discussions that occurred during the previous module and point out different students and their contributions to the class discussion. If I were to teach my own class, I would want to do something similar. It became a goal of mine to be recognized by the instructor and kept me even more engaged in the course.
Revisiting behaviorist and cognitivist theories, which were my main focus in my undergraduate career in Secondary Education, to learning deeper about new theories, such as constructivist and connectivist, that are present in the DE field would seem like it would be overwhelming. However, in this course it was not. The breakdown and development of one theory to the next kept the class at a flow and once I got comfortable with it time flew by. Now we have reached the end.
I definitely want to remember the different theories and how they can influence students, instructors, departments, and even the institutions. Students react differently to different theories and some may work better in the behaviorist/cognitivist realm. For some, the online learning is completely new and it can take some time for them to get used to it. These are the students that require the extra support. It is up to the instructor to determine what types of students they have and apply their resources appropriately. Departments have the responsibility to not only hire qualified professionals, but to also train them so they are able to adapt in the classroom, and complete their jobs effectively. Institutions fund departments and make the important policies and procedures that everyone must follow. Depending on the theory the institution is based on can determine who gets what funding and how policies change the way some different departments function. Really, from what I have gathered, this is a top-down trickle effect. Everything that happens at the higher up levels eventually gets to the students and can determine whether the institution will continue to thrive. Thus, it is important for all members to understand the theory and purpose associated with their institution.
One of the highlights was the weekly wrap-ups and introduction to the new modules. Each new module the instructor would comment on discussions that occurred during the previous module and point out different students and their contributions to the class discussion. If I were to teach my own class, I would want to do something similar. It became a goal of mine to be recognized by the instructor and kept me even more engaged in the course.
Revisiting behaviorist and cognitivist theories, which were my main focus in my undergraduate career in Secondary Education, to learning deeper about new theories, such as constructivist and connectivist, that are present in the DE field would seem like it would be overwhelming. However, in this course it was not. The breakdown and development of one theory to the next kept the class at a flow and once I got comfortable with it time flew by. Now we have reached the end.
I definitely want to remember the different theories and how they can influence students, instructors, departments, and even the institutions. Students react differently to different theories and some may work better in the behaviorist/cognitivist realm. For some, the online learning is completely new and it can take some time for them to get used to it. These are the students that require the extra support. It is up to the instructor to determine what types of students they have and apply their resources appropriately. Departments have the responsibility to not only hire qualified professionals, but to also train them so they are able to adapt in the classroom, and complete their jobs effectively. Institutions fund departments and make the important policies and procedures that everyone must follow. Depending on the theory the institution is based on can determine who gets what funding and how policies change the way some different departments function. Really, from what I have gathered, this is a top-down trickle effect. Everything that happens at the higher up levels eventually gets to the students and can determine whether the institution will continue to thrive. Thus, it is important for all members to understand the theory and purpose associated with their institution.