Challenges of Creating a Blog

As with anything new, there are always challenges that you face as you master the learning curve of how to do something. Creating a Blog was not without it's challenges.

Creating the initial blog was pretty straight forward and not much of a learning curve for me.  Determing what to Blog about was the first challenge. Figuring out to best way to link to additional resouces was the next challenge I faced. I wanted to share some PDF articles about Multi-Dimensional Learning through Technology with my readers but my only options for sharing these articles was to provide a web link or embed a image or video. I over came this challenge by uploading my PDF's to my google drive, made the PDF's sharable and was able to get a link to share with the reader.

Previously I  made blog on Learn to build a basic rubric for discussion board posts. The challenges I faced with this was knowing how to make it interactive to make it a “hands-on” learning activity.  This was very time consuming and unless you already knew to create a separate page and then create a link to that page on your initial blog it was a frustrating process. I think that there are other software and programs that would have been better to create a hands-on learning activity use such as Articulate. Articulate Storyline is designed to create interactive activities. Or even creating an interactive PowerPoint would have been a better option. It you wanted to just provide instructions or tips and advice I think a blog could then be a useful tool. It would allow for student or other with similar backgrounds to provide feedback, or give their advice or expertise on a topic.

Blogs are great tool to use for post and comment interactions, or as a means for communication, collaborating or sharing ideas.  Blogs allow users to communicate asynchronously on the web. Students can share their experience about what they are learning and collaborate with their peers using a Blog.

Blogs can be used for post and comment interaction among students. “Post-and-comment interactions work to correct misconceptions and to refine ideas. In the post-and-comment pattern, an expert, teacher, or discussion leader posts a message and learners comment on it. Everybody involved reads and analyzes all the postings. Learners can use this pattern to get feedback on a hypothesis, proposal, or interpretation; or to share private learning and insights with a group” (Horton, 2011, p. 411).

Reference:

Horton, W. (9/26/11). e-Learning by Design, 2nd Edition. [Bookshelf Online]. Retrieved from https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781118292686/

Technology for Multi-Dimensional Learning

Technology has allowed learning to become multi-dimensional. “Learning technologies include both tools and resources developed expressly for the education sector, as well as pathways of development that may include tools adapted from other purposes that are matched with strategies to make them useful for learning” (New Media Consortium, n.d., p 35). One learning technology that we are seeing more of is online learning management systems to deliver online education. Online delivery is not restricted to a time or location. This will allow students to access their course when it is most convenient for them. They can work on the material anytime, anywhere as long as they have an internet connection. 

Learning management systems such as Blackboard are able to be customized. They are built to be learning centered systems, that include “personalization, analytics, advising, learning assessment, [and] accessibility” (New Media Consortium, n.d., p. 16).  Students are able to receive instant and continual feedback. This is something that students thrive on as they are learning. Students are able to access feedback from their mobile devices. The LMS collects formative data on the student performance and engagement as they student interacts and submits assignments (New Media Consortium, n.d). Setting up the course within the learning management system allows the department to monitor the progress of students and adjunct instructors and well as easily update content and provide instant feedback.

To encourage student-to-student and instructor to student collaboration, tools like social networking, user-generated content, video conferencing, wikis, and blogs are being used. There will be an increase in mobile learning, cloud-based learning, use of game-play mechanic for non-game applications also known as Gamification. Gamification is “a powerful tool that enables technological innovation, develops student/learner skills, crafts behaviors and enhances problem-solving” (Pappas, 2013). Mobile technologies continue to evolve and allow for personalized learning and allow students the flexibility to learn at their own pace. Virtual classrooms and web conferencing tools will be used. Virtual Classrooms can be used for communication, collaboration, and instruction. 

For more information of technology for multi-dimensional learning, check out the following articles: 

Crawford, R. (2014). A multidimensional/non-linear teaching and learning model: teaching and learning music in an authentic and holistic context. Music Education Research, 16(1), 50. doi:10.1080/14613808.2013.812627

Reese, D. D., Tabachnick, B. G., & Kosko, R. E. (2015). Video game learning dynamics: Actionable measures of multidimensional learning trajectories. British Journal Of Educational Technology, (1), 98. doi:10.1111/bjet.12128

References:

New Media Consortium (n.d.). NMC Horizon Report: 2016 Higher Education Edition. Pgs. 14-17 Retrieved from http://cdn.nmc.org/media/2016-nmc-horizon-report-he-EN.pdf

Pappas, C. (2013, December 6). Future elearning trends and technologies in the global elearning industry. Retrieved from https://elearningindustry.com/future-elearning-trends-and-technologies-in-the-global-elearning-industry