2009 Fall ETC647

Common Question I: Aligned Connectivism Principles Please discuss three most important strategies of NLE/PLE in your unit, identify what aligned Connectivism principle(s) are, and discuss the assessments you integrate. Remember NLE/PLE strategies are not your contents or "technologies," such as wiki, discussion board etc. It is the integrated soft technologies. If you don't remember Connectivism principles, please review our Lesson 1 readings. Hint: be sure to include four components of technology integrations: Content; Technology; Instructional Strategies; Assessment.

My unit centers around Connectivism principles that include diversity of opinions, nurturing and maintaining connections, currency, and the importance of decision making. This is accomplished around three main strategies, which include group collaboration and discussion, independent research and sharing of resources, and implementation and use of web 2.0 technologies. Content is designed to create an environment for learners to share experiences, resources and best practice methods. Group discussion and sharing of resources allows for expansion of content and also supports the Connectivism priniples of the unit. A variety of technology is used to address objectives and principles. Class is delivered through a wiki, which based on evaluation done earlier this semester supports most connectivism principles. Also a variety of Web 2.0 technologies are used including Social Bookmarking to provide for resources as well as expand resources through student use. Assessment is done through peer evaluation as well as submission of products to instructor for instructor evaluation.

Matt It was a great pleasure going through your unit. The introduction and use of a consistent structure for all the lessons is great. The links and directions to activities and assignments is well though out and focused. The content is delivered such that connectivism theory forms a base which informs unit goal and objectives. The learners connect with one another, use platforms which afford them opportunity to connect and interact with resources in a connective nature. Wiki, diigo and facebook are the platforms that you have cleverly woven together to create a rich learning environment which is not only connective but also collaborative; a hallmark of constructivism. Assessment is both instructor and peer-to-peer. Great job!

Thank you for your comments Josh!

Common Question II: Weaknesses Please discuss three weaknesses of your unit. Please specific. Hint: focus on technology, instructional strategies, and assessments.

One weakness I think of the unit is in Lesson 2 where students create their own wiki. I think that this area might have been stronger had I included more examples of wikis to go from as well as a stronger explanation of wikis and their benefits rather than have the learners pull this information from outside sources. A second weakness comes out of this unit as well and that is on assessment. I think that the assignemnt would be easier to understand and to develop had I created a rubric with stronger guidelines for the learners to follow that would be the basis of my assessment. I always provide rubrics for my students ahead of time in my classes and I don't know why I didn't think to add one here. It would go a long way in clarifying the assignment and providing a guideline from which to work with. Finally, I feel the facebook lesson is a little weak in terms of how I want the students to be involved and interacted. I had this really good idea in my head on how I wanted it to look. Almost like an alternate support site for the unit that is overseen and run by the learners. For some reason I had a difficult time translating that from my idea to my lesson. This is an area where I would spend sometime reassessing how I organize and present, before implementing the lesson in the future.

Common Question I: Aligned Connectivism Principles Please discuss three most important strategies of NLE/PLE in your unit, identify what aligned Connectivism principle(s) are, and discuss the assessments you integrate. Remember NLE/PLE strategies are not your contents or "technologies," such as wiki, discussion board etc. It is the integrated soft technologies. If you don't remember Connectivism principles, please review our Lesson 1 readings. Hint: be sure to include four components of technology integrations: Content; Technology; Instructional Strategies; Assessment.

Common Question II: Weaknesses Please discuss three weaknesses of your unit. Please specific. Hint: focus on technology, instructional strategies, and assessments.

Common Question I: Aligned Connectivism Principles Please discuss three most important strategies of NLE/PLE in your unit, identify what aligned Connectivism principle(s) are, and discuss the assessments you integrate. Remember NLE/PLE strategies are not your contents or "technologies," such as wiki, discussion board etc. It is the integrated soft technologies. If you don't remember Connectivism principles, please review our Lesson 1 readings. Hint: be sure to include four components of technology integrations: Content; Technology; Instructional Strategies; Assessment.

Okay, thank you for the opportunity to answer the questions now. My three main NLE PLE strategies are: 1. Teamwork - using Elluminate to meet as a team in real time, using blog and voicethread for feedback, and using wiki page sites for team creation of product and presentation 2. Research - using Diigo and Delicious to share relevant discoveries and share information- at the same time creating PLE for study 3. Over-all strategy is to teach the principles by demonstrating how within the study and classwork so that they have an effective and powerful model and know how to integrate the technologies into their own lesson developments. The asessments are collaborative in nature and include self and peer assessments with an opportunity to revise work throughout. This allows for maximum learning.

as you can see, I like your style Chih =)

Common Question II: Weaknesses Please discuss three weaknesses of your unit. Please specific. Hint: focus on technology, instructional strategies, and assessments.

Three weaknesses: 1. Some data cannot be stored on the class wiki and will have to be housed separately and shared with students by email, like grades, contact information and so on. An advantage of a CMS is that you can track your personal progress a little easier because not everything is public information. Also the class wiki site could be altered by students or information possibly lost. 2. I needed to develop more evaluation rubrics - some for peer evaluation and map out how that would work a little more clearly. 3. I think 3 general synchronous class meetings would be helpful to clear up questions and demonstrate how to use technologies for those who need a visual example and the opportunity to ask questions in the learning process. (I only developed an example of the first meeting). These would be required (points given for attendance) but recorded for those who miss for unavoidable reasons.

Common Question I: Aligned Connectivism Principles Please discuss three most important strategies of NLE/PLE in your unit, identify what aligned Connectivism principle(s) are, and discuss the assessments you integrate. Remember NLE/PLE strategies are not your contents or "technologies," such as wiki, discussion board etc. It is the integrated soft technologies. If you don't remember Connectivism principles, please review our Lesson 1 readings. Hint: be sure to include four components of technology integrations: Content; Technology; Instructional Strategies; Assessment.

|ulie, here's my peer review. Have a great holiday season. Content: Introduction explains Networked Learning Environments and does an excellent job of setting the foundation for the unit. When you state, "It is about the learning that takes place in a vibrant community of people and resources." it sets up the entire unit. The collaboration based learning supports connectivism concepts on several levels. For example, diversity of opinions, learning process of pulling together different Web 2.0 tools, identifying the relationships/connections between the tools, all relate to connectivisim. Good use of graphics and the embedding of YouTube video. It sets the example of using the various tools provided by Web2.0, and the multimedia helps keep the learners awake too. Technology: Wiki, Bloggers, Delicious, Facebook, iGoogle. An excellent diversity in tools showing the unit results in a sound PLE. Instructional Strategies: I tend to think the use of teamwork (collaboration in education) always results in a stronger solution than individual works. The unit is strong on collaboration and communication, including the reflection and sharing. Assessment: Not strong on assessment (I don't think any of us where) . The strongest assessment is from the peer reviews, informal and formal. What others think and share about our work is a great learning process. The unit has this in many locations. Unfortunately, it is difficult to measure and put on a rubric. The reflection goal is a great way for learner to realize how much they have learned - and what they have learned. In teaching computers for several years I have found the students get strength in self confidence if they know what they know. The reflection goal will do that, or rather it will have them do it for themselves (hey, another connectivism and constructivism concept!) Reflection: Great job of pulling together what this course ta

Hi Julie, I love your unit on Teacher Collaboration. It is well organized; your objectives, activities and assessment align well. I really enjoyed your flow charts and models and will refer to these again for my own learning. In addition I love the article about network learning, Thomas Jefferson's description of his dream of the Univ of Virginia as a collection of connected villages. For those of us who are visual, this is a perfect metaphor for network learning. Excellent! I will give you feedback on the 4 areas -- content, integrated tools, strategies and evaluation -- in a separate posting. All the Best, Betsy.

* Learning and knowledge rests in diversity of opinions. Process: Discussion, research, and group work. * Learning may reside in non-human appliances. Process: Computers, internet, Web 2.0 Tools. * Nurturing and maintaining connections is needed to facilitate continual learning. Process: Reflection blog, discussion forum, group work, exploring Web 2.0 tools. * Ability to see connections between fields, ideas, and concepts is a core skill. Process: Groups working together to create a Web 2.0 integrated lesson plan. Researching information on Web 2.0 tools and utilizing those tools. * Currency (accurate, up-to-date knowledge) is the intent of all connectivist learning activities. Process: Research conducted on Connectivism and network learning environments. Exploring current Web 2.0 tools for integration, collaboration, and communication. * Decision-making is itself a learning process. Choosing what to learn and the meaning of incoming information is seen through the lens of a shifting reality. While there is a right answer now, it may be wrong tomorrow due to alterations in the information climate affecting the decision. Process: Researching information on a new learning theory and new Web 2.0 tools. Choosing Web 2.0 tools for integration in a lesson plan.

Common Question II: Weaknesses Please discuss three weaknesses of your unit. Please specific. Hint: focus on technology, instructional strategies, and assessments.

I should have added more Web 2.0 tools. I didn't because the teachers tend to complain about spending any extra time on workshops. I wanted it to be more relaxed and not so much like a course. I didn't have a rubric for assessing all the elements involved in the webquest. I just made a generic format for each assignment.

* Learning and knowledge rests in diversity of opinions. Process: Discussion, research, and group work. * Learning may reside in non-human appliances. Process: Computers, internet, Web 2.0 Tools. * Nurturing and maintaining connections is needed to facilitate continual learning. Process: Reflection blog, discussion forum, group work, exploring Web 2.0 tools. * Ability to see connections between fields, ideas, and concepts is a core skill. Process: Groups working together to create a Web 2.0 integrated lesson plan. Researching information on Web 2.0 tools and utilizing those tools. * Currency (accurate, up-to-date knowledge) is the intent of all connectivist learning activities. Process: Research conducted on Connectivism and network learning environments. Exploring current Web 2.0 tools for integration, collaboration, and communication. * Decision-making is itself a learning process. Choosing what to learn and the meaning of incoming information is seen through the lens of a shifting reality. While there is a right answer now, it may be wrong tomorrow due to alterations in the information climate affecting the decision. Process: Researching information on a new learning theory and new Web 2.0 tools. Choosing Web 2.0 tools for integration in a lesson plan.

I should have added more Web 2.0 tools. I didn't because the teachers tend to complain about spending any extra time on workshops. I wanted it to be more relaxed and not so much like a course. I didn't have a rubric for assessing all the elements involved in the webquest. I just made a generic format for each assignment.

Common Question I: Aligned Connectivism Principles Please discuss three most important strategies of NLE/PLE in your unit, identify what aligned Connectivism principle(s) are, and discuss the assessments you integrate. Remember NLE/PLE strategies are not your contents or "technologies," such as wiki, discussion board etc. It is the integrated soft technologies. If you don't remember Connectivism principles, please review our Lesson 1 readings. Hint: be sure to include four components of technology integrations: Content; Technology; Instructional Strategies; Assessment.

Some of the important strategies for my unit were making sure that the students were able to learn the concepts through researching information on a certain topic, and then posting what has been learned. These kinds of exercises allow students to interact with each other, forming new connections and new information. Students can learn alot from others and especially when allowed to interact in small groups, they can analyze other's opinions and come up with new and interesting ideas. As an example of this, I used the Twitter activity to get them to research, discuss among peers and post their feedback for others to learn from.For the last lesson I should have incorporated a peer review of the research paper and a reflection since only one rubric was used.

Common Question II: Weaknesses Please discuss three weaknesses of your unit. Please specific. Hint: focus on technology, instructional strategies, and assessments.

Looking back on my unit, I think I should have taken a different angle in order to really cover connectivism theory and the instructional strategies for a network learning environment. I could have possibly made it a course for teaching instructors how to teach and create an NLE. I also should have added peer reviews, a few more web 2.0 or social networking tools, and more rubrics for evaluation.

Common Question I: Aligned Connectivism Principles Please discuss three most important strategies of NLE/PLE in your unit, identify what aligned Connectivism principle(s) are, and discuss the assessments you integrate. Remember NLE/PLE strategies are not your contents or "technologies," such as wiki, discussion board etc. It is the integrated soft technologies. If you don't remember Connectivism principles, please review our Lesson 1 readings. Hint: be sure to include four components of technology integrations: Content; Technology; Instructional Strategies; Assessment.

Common Question I: Aligned Connectivism Principles. The principles I integrated into my unit are: - Learning and knowledge emerges from diverse opinions: The community who is the target audience of my unit are recent graduates of our year-long supervisory core series. The focus of the community will be to identify their diverse needs for lifelong learning (continued learning beyond recent graduation), and finding common ground to explore together. Because they represent a wide range of occupations in the organization, their diverse perspectives in building solutions to supervisory challenges will be harnessed, their ideas improved by one another, and captured for others to refer to. This will be accomplished by exploration of articles through Google Reader, sharing of perspectives in relation to specific needs with the group through Blogger and Go-To-Meeting and bookmarking common interests. - Learning resides in and is accessed in non-human appliances: This target audience for my unit is well-exercised in sharing knowledge, and creating new solutions in a F2F environment (situated learning using constructivist strategies). With the creation of the network learning environment, using Google Reader, Delicious, Blogger and Go-To-Meeting to begin will lead them to discover knowledge in the digital environment, and mash it up with their own knowledge/experience to create a broader, more sophisticated, workable skill set for meeting the challenges of our workplace. - Nurturing connections to facilitate learning: As mentioned the community for whom my unit is designed are a bonded group. However, they have now graduated from their year-long program, and will not interact with one another as frequently as they did while in the program. The network community of graduates in my unit will have the opportunity to continue to expand their personal/professional relationships and continue to meet and learn together. As others graduate from the Supervisory Core Series, they will

Common Question II: Weaknesses Please discuss three weaknesses of your unit. Please specific. Hint: focus on technology, instructional strategies, and assessments.

Common Question II: Weaknesses. 1. The primary weaknesses of my unit is that it is perhaps more structured than true network learning. This weakness is also a strength. I am using the structure to transition a community formed in the classroom to a community outside the classroom (group graduated from year-long supervisory training program at the end of November). My unit creates a network community by introducing the learners to tools for continued learning and networking. Structure was needed to catalyze the transition. 2. There is not forum for a more personalized level of social networking. I feel this is a real weakness, however, it is a planned weakness. In order to transition the community from F2F learning in the workplace environment to network learning, it is important to step them up to network learning (scaffold) gradually. To introduce Facebook or Diigo gadgets in the unit/site in the intial lessons would be distract them from the purpose of network LEARNING and lead them to think it is just SOCIAL networking. As they begin to use the unit/site to learn, I will introduce Diigo, Facebook and Twitter to create a more 'connected' group. The idea is that they will then be ready to use these tools for learning, and not abuse them in a way not allowed by our network policy (i.e., killing time aimlessly surfing and not learning/working). 3. The gadgets are not as robust as similar gadgets on iGoogle. This is a design flaw on my part. I assumed the gadgets available would be the same, and they are not. For instance, the Blogger gadget, doesn't allow one to make a blog post right from the window as the iGoogle Blogger gadget does. Similarly, there was no gadget available for Google Reader; I need to use an RSS Reader gadget built for news and adapt it for the feeds I wanted to include. By contrast the iGoogle gadet for Google Reader is very robust allowing users to go to Google Reader and update, edit, track, and bookmark feeds. Betsy

Common Question I: Aligned Connectivism Principles Please discuss three most important strategies of NLE/PLE in your unit, identify what aligned Connectivism principle(s) are, and discuss the assessments you integrate. Remember NLE/PLE strategies are not your contents or "technologies," such as wiki, discussion board etc. It is the integrated soft technologies. If you don't remember Connectivism principles, please review our Lesson 1 readings. Hint: be sure to include four components of technology integrations: Content; Technology; Instructional Strategies; Assessment.

My unit is developed to enable teachers to integrate technology in learning, especially the new technologies - the web 2.0 - in the online teaching. Therefore, to demonstrate this factor the learners are engaged in learning content which is basically technology, the web 2.0 technology they will be learning to use. Some of these technologies include Diigo, Mywebspiration, Zotero, Google-documents, Delicious, iGoogle among others. Connectivism theory is a major ingredient of the unit. The learners connect and learn from one another in groups; each learner brings his or her understanding of the assignment tasks to share with other group members as well as the resources. Secondly, the learners are engaged in the pursuit of the "the wisdom of the crowds" (though limited to course mates) to advance their learning. To harness the goal of "the wisdom of the crowd" the learners are engaged in "user content generation" to develop their assignments. In fact that that is why there are no specific rubrics for each lesson. Constructivist theory is embedded in the unit in the form collaborative tasks that allow learners to bring their understanding of unit tasks to "the table" for sharing. The learner are not tabila rasa (empty slates) when they begin this unit and as such their understanding and knowledge on the tasks is crucial to successful implementation of the unit goal and lesson objectives. Instructional strategies are directed by unit goal and lesson objectives. The most important strategy in the unit is the implicit understanding that learning is about learner participation, exploration, discovery and creating meaning of their learning process. Assessment in this unit is based on the pretest and post-test of learners based on the unit goal and lesson objectives which can be viewed at the beginning and the end the end of the unit respectively. However, the instructor will review group and individual assignments to offer guidance to the learners (who

Chih, Melissa was unable to post her responses so she asked me to do it for her. My unit is developed to help teachers learn proper ways to instruct students on internet research. To do this, I incorporate many web 2.0 tools, such as GoogleSites, GoogleGroups, GoogleSidewiki, Delicious, Wordle, and more to engage students in learning the content. My content and instruction is developed based on connectivist theory where students must work in groups, or as a team to construct knew knowledge from within themselves, rather than simply reading facts on a page. Each person will bring a unique perspective to the topic at hand, and will learn through discussion. Assessment is not explicitly stated, but is conducted through learner interaction. If students are present and participating, they have completed the requirements for the lesson. Due to the fact this is a professional development workshop, it is up to the participant to formulate their own understandings and seek help if they are confused.

My unit is developed to help teachers learn proper ways to instruct students on internet research. To do this, I incorporate many web 2.0 tools, such as GoogleSites, GoogleGroups, GoogleSidewiki, Delicious, Wordle, and more to engage students in learning the content. My content and instruction is developed based on connectivist theory where students must work in groups, or as a team to construct knew knowledge from within themselves, rather than simply reading facts on a page. Each person will bring a unique perspective to the topic at hand, and will learn through discussion. Assessment is not explicitly stated, but is conducted through learner interaction. If students are present and participating, they have completed the requirements for the lesson. Due to the fact this is a professional development workshop, it is up to the participant to formulate their own understandings and seek help if they are confused.

Common Question II: Weaknesses Please discuss three weaknesses of your unit. Please specific. Hint: focus on technology, instructional strategies, and assessments.

Posted on behalf of Melissa: My weakness is definitely in assessment. I formulated rubrics, but for some reason forgot to include them in my unit. I feel I incorporated successful instructional strategies and technology, but I failed to incorporate assessment other than reading the conclusions participants formulate as a team on the discussion boards.

My weakness is definitely in assessment. I formulated rubrics, but for some reason forgot to include them in my unit. I feel I incorporated successful instructional strategies and technology, but I failed to incorporate assessment other than reading the conclusions participants formulate as a team on the discussion boards.

Common Question I: Aligned Connectivism Principles Please discuss three most important strategies of NLE/PLE in your unit, identify what aligned Connectivism principle(s) are, and discuss the assessments you integrate. Remember NLE/PLE strategies are not your contents or "technologies," such as wiki, discussion board etc. It is the integrated soft technologies. If you don't remember Connectivism principles, please review our Lesson 1 readings. Hint: be sure to include four components of technology integrations: Content; Technology; Instructional Strategies; Assessment.

Learning and knowledge rests in diversity of opinions. While the students are all third graders, these students have had a variety of experiences which makes their prior knowledge experiences unique and diverse. Students are working in cooperative groups to generate knowledge together for a common purpose. Sharing their knowledge with one another will result in a more comprehensive and complete prewriting, drafting, and revising experience. The activities incorporate using Google Docs and Webspiration. Capacity to know more is more critical than what is currently known. This unit focuses on students gaining more knowledge about the elements and processes of writing. The focus is not on what they currently know about writing. The web 2.0 tools utilized in this unit are designed to help the students reflect more on the idea generation and revisions to create a clear and original work. Students will use Google Docs, Webspiration, and Glogster to help facilitate the learning process. The knowledge gained can be through collaboration or individual learning tasks. Learning resides in and is accessed in non-human appliances. This will be a new experience for the learners in this unit as most will be 8 and 9 years old. Sharing and creating knowledge in a network learning environment such as Google Docs will lead them to discover a new way to collaborate. They will begin to use their unique knowledge base to expand and develop new understanding.

Common Question II: Weaknesses Please discuss three weaknesses of your unit. Please specific. Hint: focus on technology, instructional strategies, and assessments.

First weakness is perhaps the order of the lessons. After reflecting on the flow of the activities, I think the poster in glogster might be more effective in creating a visual organization of the prewriting instead of summarizing the personal narrative.

Second weakness is that Google Docs requires users to be 13 and older to have an account. I have made this lesson for 9 and 10 year olds. Using another tool that allows students to collaborate legally at that age would be optimal. Also the availability of computers might be an issue. So creating an option for this lesson to be utlized in a center type situation would offer some flexibility in the lessons.

Third weakness could be the assessments. With each particular task, the learner is assessed with a rubric or slef-evaluation. A better explanation of how to use the assessments would help those unfamiliar with those particular assessments.

Common Question I: Aligned Connectivism Principles Please discuss three most important strategies of NLE/PLE in your unit, identify what aligned Connectivism principle(s) are, and discuss the assessments you integrate. Remember NLE/PLE strategies are not your contents or "technologies," such as wiki, discussion board etc. It is the integrated soft technologies. If you don't remember Connectivism principles, please review our Lesson 1 readings. Hint: be sure to include four components of technology integrations: Content; Technology; Instructional Strategies; Assessment.

* Knowing where to find information; the links provided to learners to engage in unit content were informative and facilitated learning. * Diversity of opinions: Group collaboration within the unit lesson plans supported social networking and enabled learners to share ideas and personal knowledge. * A variety of learning tools; Web 2.0 tools provided allowed learners to collaborate in different forms. Having different approaches to communicate and share information facilitates learning since we all have different learning styles.

Common Question II: Weaknesses Please discuss three weaknesses of your unit. Please specific. Hint: focus on technology, instructional strategies, and assessments.

* More than four components of technology integration; may be overwhelming to those learners who are not technology savvy. * Rubric for essay assignment should have included more content; more specific on expectations of assignment. * Video embedded for instructional strategies instead of links to video.

Adrianna, It was a distinct pleasure reviewing your unit. Overall you unit is well organized, easy to follow, contains great instructions and graphics. I do not know anything about dentistry, but I think if I participated in your unit I would learn a great deal. I will comment in individual sticky notes by the 4 categories suggested for giving feedback. Excellent job!!

Common Question I: Aligned Connectivism Principles Please discuss three most important strategies of NLE/PLE in your unit, identify what aligned Connectivism principle(s) are, and discuss the assessments you integrate. Remember NLE/PLE strategies are not your contents or "technologies," such as wiki, discussion board etc. It is the integrated soft technologies. If you don't remember Connectivism principles, please review our Lesson 1 readings. Hint: be sure to include four components of technology integrations: Content; Technology; Instructional Strategies; Assessment.

The strategy I used had to do with training the school on these tools before we could begin talking and demonstarting NLE and PLE. However, I felt that I was able to provide activities that engeged them in connectivist learning principles by having the discover by the process of clicking and trying out.

Common Question II: Weaknesses Please discuss three weaknesses of your unit. Please specific. Hint: focus on technology, instructional strategies, and assessments.

One weakness in developing my unit properly was time. But the major weakness has to do with the environment I creted this unit for. Essentially, I am helping a school incorporate Google Apps. They have never used these web 2.0 features so the first part realy had to do with training. My presentation on NLE and PLE could have been developed further and alligned them better with connectivist principles.

One ore thing, my assessment and evaluation tool could be a bit more somprehevensive. This too is weakness.