Yancho

From class with Dr. Andy Gibbons today: An instructional event is an Activity combined with a goal (which is the task to be learned). Instructional events are made up of more instructional events. Instructional design, then is creating the series of activities meant to achieve specific goals, which are all the pieces of the overarching goal of what is to be learned. Each instructional event begs you to ask what is happening on the myriad layers of instruction as described by Gibbons earlier in the year: Representation, control, message, strategy, content, data management, media logic. An instructional event is a clearer concept than lesson, because a lesson doesn't clarify what or how many goals will be covered in a lesson. P. 42 Vol. 2 -- course design document -- single-spaced 5-10 pages. Management plan. Evaluation plan.

CALL is Computer Assisted Language Learning and TALL is Technology Assisted Language Learning (if I remember correctly). We saw some samples of TALL in our class. I think having computer programs to help with the drill and practice of a language is invaluable. Because, like any learning, language learning simply takes practice. Naturally, a language is best taught through saturation in situ, but in the absence of a language-saturated environment, tools like computer assisted learning can really ease the load for a learner. Having the words recorded spoken by a native speaker and represented onscreen simultaneously, with the ability to record and to hear and compare your own sounds to the natively spoken sounds is great. It's a cliche, but CALL or TALL are not a panacea, won't solve all language learning problems. But, the tools are fantastic -- especially by a motivated person who is willing to put in the time. I think it is better than other forms of self-guided learning

Our experience in class with the online forum revealed some interesting things. Our assignment was to read some articles on forums and then to use the forum created by Alberto to discuss the relative merits and problems with forums as a learning tool. It seemed to me that many people who decried the value of online forums actually neglected to participate in the forum in the manner in which it was meant to be used to promote learning. Rather they participated as if it were simply a place to complain about the place that was offered as a way for them to complain about what they were complaining about. In other words, it was a self-fulfilling prophecy. Successful use of a forum for instruction probably warrants a little extra motivational effort on the part of the instructor. It appeared they didn't like forums because it required them to interact with others and express their ideas coherently and be willing to engage in a discussion and, basically, it wasn't worth their time

As I have considered the concepts involved with using games for education, I see a lot of value, but I see some weaknesses as well. My master's degree is in Youth and Family Recreation , and in that field we see a lot of positive outcomes in games and activities. They are a way to instigate changes in behavior and reinforce internal values such as motivation, positive thinking, self-efficacy, etc. But many times the behavior changes don't persist long beyond the arena of the game -- when a participant leaves the setting, they return to their home or school life where the dynamics seem to suck them back in to prior behavior and thinking patterns. Lasting change can often only happen with a change to the interpersonal dynamics of their "home base," so to speak. Building self efficacy can sometimes override negative home dynamics, but it is an uphill battle. The main weakness I see is that games are time consuming compared to the learning outcome of the game. For ins

I've been sitting listening to a discussion of the value of this synthesis process for each class. I've fallen behind in my syntheses simply because I find them time consuming and time is a precious commodity. There is always something demanding my time and I felt this was an easy place to cut back. Usually, that choice was made because synthesis is something that is open-ended and I never know whether I will sit down and end up considering and ruminating for an hour or two or 15 minutes. Without a clear endpoint, making the effort could devour more time than it's worth. I have a difficult time just slamming things out when there is so much information to process. But, maybe I need to be less self-critical and just share some thoughts rather than a finished, polished product.