Program Learning Outcome 5 to “Exemplify ethical practices of technology usage" PLO 1 "Demonstrate knowledge and skills related to learning using technology"

            The prior MATLT activity I choose to revise is from Promoting student Success in the Online Learning EDU 601. It was a group wiki assignment. I added some new information relating to theories and design.

Original MATLT activity

            Consisted on two learning activities in a group setting. The group setting was established on a wiki site in the first learning activity students were required to gather information on a renewable resource of their choice and asked to write a paper and post it to the wiki page. Each student had to write on a different topic. Students were then required in Learning activity two included students creating a document on which renewable resource would work best in their region and posting it for peer review.

Redesigned MATLT activity

            The prior MATLT activity that I revised was a group wiki assignment that consisted of three different learning activities. The group was assigned to create a wiki page and start gathering resources pertaining to several different forms of renewable energy. For this activity I revised the instructions to become better understandable to the student. I also revised the information that was needed from the students for the activity. The first learning activity I revised so that it would encourage collaboration and bonding among the group of students. They are all required to share information on all the topics presented and share what they have learned. This activity should give students the opportunity to interact and collaborate with one another while sharing needed information. The second learning activity will require students to choose a topic and share their new knowledge with their peers in a word document. Students are required to read their peers work and respond appropriately. They can add comments and ask questions to help their peers with future projects. This will help to further the bond between the students as well. Communication among students make them feel like part of a community and often participate more. The third activity will require students to show off their creative side with one another. They will present a slide presentation to their peers relating to what form of renewable resource works the best in their region and why. Students will be required to collaborate with their peers use the technology appropriately.

Theories

            I tried to include different learning theories into the assignment. I tried to use information that students previously knew such as wikis, renewable energy, word documents and slide presentations. Most students have used or seen most of the topics seen here and the programs used are familiar as well. I was trying to reach their cognitive skills here and expand on those skills. I had the students create an online group environment to enhance collaboration. Berkley indicates that implications for teaching social learning should include, Collaborative learning that is facilitated and guided by the teacher. Social learners like group work.

            This revision was difficult at times trying to make the projects possible with technology and in a group setting. The group setting did not pose much of a problem but finding different ways to incorporate technology into the different learning activities was challenging. I wanted to create a different learning outcome for the learning activities. This is what helped me decide on which technology to use. Adding the right text to the assignment was also another problem that I had. I had to reread the instruction over and over and then had to take a break to make sure that I could read again with a new view.

            I found a very interesting blog titled, A dozen ways to teach ethical and safe technology use. This blog has some great ideas on how to incorporate ethics and technology use in the classroom. One of the main focuses here is to lead by example. Talk to the students in an ethical and respectful manner. This blog states to, Reinforce ethical behaviors and react to the misuse of technology, A comparison with this topic in mind is, If you catch a child reading a comic book in school you would not take away his reading privileges. Make the student understand what they did that was inappropriate and they will learn from their mistakes.

Conclusion

            The project revision from Promoting Student Success in the Online Learning EDU 601, was a bit a challenge in deciding which technology to use and how to incorporate students in a group setting. Once I figured out how to incorporate technology and what students should do it became a smoother process and the information came together for the revision. 
Document Link

           

Resources

A dozen ways to teach ethical and safe technology use (2010, December 26) http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/2010/12/26/a-dozen-ways-to-teach-ethical-and-safe-technology-use.html

Overview of Learning Theories (2015) http://gsi.berkeley.edu/gsi-guide-contents/learning-theory-research/learning-overview/

Teaching Implications of Learning Theories (2015) http://cte.illinois.edu/resources/topics/theories.html