Module 5 – Best Practices: Theory, Policy, and the DE Organization
Entry# 1
Our class was asked how we think theory informs policies in the DE organization. After taking this class, I say learning theories are a MUST in distance education because of the needed structure it provides online. It is similar to the laws we abide by as citizens of the world. I had described how I have conflicts with myself as an online learner and as a future online instructor. When I first entered the MDE program two years ago, I was pro hybrid learning despite the fact that my lifestyle as a wife, mother of three and as a professional does not allow me the flexibility. Two years later I still feel the same way about hybrid learning. Hybrid learning offers the best of the two worlds by providing knowledge along with human interaction and learning/using emerging technologies. I've embraced technology because of its innovativeness it brings to society and culture. The traditional side of me has also been cautious because I'm scared of what technology can do (e.g. eliminate jobs for humans, technology evolves and become humanistic, etc.).
Entry #2
In order for a higher education institution to stay relevant in the Knowledge Age, the following learning theories: Constructivist, Connectivism, and Online Collaborative Learning (OCL) should be applied in F2F and virtual classrooms. Constructivist is great to be applied for case-based and problem-based learning. Connectivism would be necessary to use for connecting to all of the emerging Web 2.0 technologies, such as Blogs, Wikis and discussion boards. OCL would be an excellent theoretical framework as new ideas go through the three phases: generating, organizing, and convergence.
Entry# 1
Our class was asked how we think theory informs policies in the DE organization. After taking this class, I say learning theories are a MUST in distance education because of the needed structure it provides online. It is similar to the laws we abide by as citizens of the world. I had described how I have conflicts with myself as an online learner and as a future online instructor. When I first entered the MDE program two years ago, I was pro hybrid learning despite the fact that my lifestyle as a wife, mother of three and as a professional does not allow me the flexibility. Two years later I still feel the same way about hybrid learning. Hybrid learning offers the best of the two worlds by providing knowledge along with human interaction and learning/using emerging technologies. I've embraced technology because of its innovativeness it brings to society and culture. The traditional side of me has also been cautious because I'm scared of what technology can do (e.g. eliminate jobs for humans, technology evolves and become humanistic, etc.).
Entry #2
In order for a higher education institution to stay relevant in the Knowledge Age, the following learning theories: Constructivist, Connectivism, and Online Collaborative Learning (OCL) should be applied in F2F and virtual classrooms. Constructivist is great to be applied for case-based and problem-based learning. Connectivism would be necessary to use for connecting to all of the emerging Web 2.0 technologies, such as Blogs, Wikis and discussion boards. OCL would be an excellent theoretical framework as new ideas go through the three phases: generating, organizing, and convergence.