My Learning Journey-->

Author: Brittany (Page 3 of 10)

Initial Thoughts

I am looking forward to starting my learning journey in the Masters of Educational Technology. We began our journey as a cohort on Tuesday September 12th 2023. This process will be one of curiosity and collaboration that will span over 2 years. I feel as though we have already started to establish a wonderful learning community where we are able to learn and support each other along the way. I think the diversity of the group will help us create some interesting and inclusive research studies.

Since graduating from by Bachelor’s degree, I have always had an interest in technology and therefore completed a Certificate in Communication and Informational Technology. As a result, my interests and curiosity blossomed from there. My current jobs, have also been an asset to gaining experience and finding my passion for research. I believe that research is important as it helps us as educators learn and grow, while understanding why things work. It is one thing to teach and it is another to continue to learn, understand and discover new techniques. As a new teacher, I value that I am constantly learning and collaborating.

My work

I am currently teaching part time Gr 1/2 French Immersion, working for the Digital Scholarship Commons and working on the new French Education Program. These three jobs outline some of my key interests I wish to dive into throughout this program. As of right now, if I were to answer the following question I would have two overlapping themes: Generally speaking I am interested in technology and French Immersion.

What education technology issue, topic, or theme are you most interested in?

Below are some more specific examples of my interest related to these larger topics. As of right now, I am most interested in the benefits of digital badging specifically related to French Immersion programming and language acquisition in Higher Education. Feel free to link to some of my personal digital badges here or outlined on my About Me section of this WordPress.

Some other key elements of interests include

  • The benefits of technology related to language support, accessibility and diversity and more generally what are the benefits of technology for French Immersion language learners.

Here is an example of some of the potential of this project based on a new Francopass program at the University of Alberta (I could only find the video in French, so if you are interested feel free to watch with English subtitles).

This idea also goes alongside one of the projects I am currently working on for the Faculty and aligns with a previous article I co-wrote.

See link to an article, I co-wrote with Rich McCue regarding digital badges Makerspace Workshop Badges: Student Perceptions & Uses of Informal Credentialing

Overall throughout this program, I know I will gain new skills and experiences that will help guide my research. I am excited to start this process and eventually share my key findings. Education and Technology is a long term commitment, there is never one method and thus it is a never ending journey that is constantly evolving.

Final Activity: Create

For this activity I wanted to try something new while including a learning journey of this course! I decided to make videos since it is a multimedia principle of learning , which aligns with the UDL guidelines and diverse learners. Thus the key outcome it reflected was “examine and reflect upon the potential for equitable access for all learners in online and open learning contexts” .

https://www.powtoon.com/s/gqwgGH2tqxD/1/m

https://app.animaker.com/video?e=HOEXF5NGX1ACNIKR 

Resources 

  • Powtoon
  • Animaker

Week 2: Padlet

I learned how Padlet allows students to feel empowered (outcome: “Develop an awareness of the potential of human-centered learning in online and open learning contexts”) and inclined to learn (anonymous questions). It also helps foster peer learning as students can respond to questions as well!

Here is the Padlet I created based on the response! https://padlet.com/brittanyjohnson2/ 

Created using TechSmith Capture

I found this video very interesting and it also supported my question!

Week 1: Webinar with Dr Barb Brown

Dr Brown’s webinar followed the outcome of “Exploring and engaging with current literature on the distributed and open education movement”. This was attained by the multiple resources she shared (Jamboard and Padlet for example). I learned how relationship building and ice breakers can be done in open and distributed environments. 

Twitter -Build a PLN Through Social Media -Ongoing

Overall, Twitter has helped me develop a long-term open learning community that extends beyond my classmates (through retweets, followers, resources…). The outcome reflected is “Practice digital networked and open literacies in support of learning about distributed and open learning” as it allows us to learn and openly share ideas.

Created using Canva

Topic 3: Community Contributions (Amanda)

Hi Amanda,

Amazing blog post and connection to UDL and inclusive education!

That’s super cool that you got to take a course around inclusion! I also learned from the readings on how to teach using these guidelines to create an online learning environment. I personally believe that these have helped me consider ways to further support learners and really think about design and it sounds like you did as well. I never really fully considered how learner equity can change based on educational delivery and lens, but your blog post made me further reflect on these ideas.

Yes, I agree that considering the disproportional results of students who have challenges is shocking and it just makes me think of how important it is to teach to diversity and adapt accordingly!

Great points and quotes around design and the importance of design especially in online learning! Before the readings I never realized how much of an impact design has online but I totally agree and thus think that it is crucial to adapt and work with the UDL guidelines as you suggested instead of looking and creating an imaginary “average learner”. I wonder if design in a classroom seems easier because you can adapt easier on the spot/ you are more familiar with this mode of teaching as online teachers who had to transition due to Covid were learning all at once….

Great Infographic I love this diagram and I will definitely use it and be thinking about it in the near future! Great visual!

I totally agree that choice in activity, expression and learning in general is key to success as it promotes student centered learning. Great cross-cultural connection of diverse identities and multimedia. It also suggests relationship building and collaboration all in one which is powerful.

Awesome work and great connections! You can really tell that you are thinking and considering all students and circumstances!

Topic 3: Community Contributions (Clara)

Hi Clara,

Very powerful and interesting blog post!

I really enjoyed how you opened up with acknowledging that it is harder to recognize different learning styles and abilities in open and online learning. I wonder what we can do to get to know more about our students learning styles… I totally agree we need to provide means for students to meet their needs and space for growth and mistakes!

I definitely agree with what regarding a group effort versus in the classroom where it is the teacher and students who create the meaningful environment. This statement acknowledges diversity and students various learning environments when online, which goes well with the quote you chose in the previous paragraph. Great pick! This made me think of how teachers can design the lesson but cannot control the environment which parallels your idea of open and distributed learning being more difficult to address authentic environments.

I think it is super powerful that you included multiple viewpoints in your blog. As well as you made a really great reference to topic one and the importance of relationships! The part you included from Selwyn is so relatable and such a good aspect to consider. I personally have found that I thrive in asynchronous learning environments when online and so I also can relate to what you are feeling going into September. At least we will be in the same boat!

Great ending paragraph, it is so crucial to teach to diversity in all learning environments and as such UDL guidelines can help us do that as you mentioned. I think it would be super beneficial to include a diagram or something from the UDL website (I remember you sharing one in our group project) would be a great visual to include near your UDL paragraph!

Your final sentence of considering how to support these groups is very important. It reminds me of a Shelley Moore video of teaching to diversity but specifically her analogy of bowling and hitting the pins on the outside as those are hardest to reach. Same concept!

Overall great blog post love how you included multiple perspectives as well as personal experience. The asynchronous and synchronous learning I think is a key aspect that should be considered, and I love how you brought that up in relation to our reading.

Topic 3: Community Contributions (Stephanie)

Hi Stephanie!

This is such a terrific blog post and great way to address the question!

I totally agree with your point around accessibility in relation to family’s financial situation. As you mentioned it is important to meet their needs by providing them with these technologies and resources. It was great to see this being done within our local school districts when everything switched to online learning due to Covid.

I really like the way you structured your blog post; it is almost as if it is steps of what to do to meet the needs of the children. UDL guidelines stresses the idea of choice and fosters that we all learn differently.

In your third paragraph I really enjoyed how you recognized the need for different spaces and how that can create a safe and give students choice as to what environment best suits their needs. The final sentence in that paragraph is so powerful and truly speaks to how education is more than just grades and assignments. Thus, it brings back the whole idea of student-centered learning as well as relationship building that extends beyond the classroom. One of my favourite quotes is “When one teaches, two learn.” (Robert Half). This just describes the collaboration and dynamics that are intended!

Adapting is so key to teaching and learning and I love how you included it and connected it to face to face vs online and that transition. Sometimes you have to change and be creative and what you shared is so true!

Great Info-graph I like the concluding thoughts as I definitely resonate with the idea that learning happens everywhere. As such it stresses that learning is a process and not just outcome based nor within the walls of a building (classroom). It is much much more!

Loved this post, all in all, I really liked the breakdown and structure related to 1. Accessibility, 2, UDL principles, 3. Learning spaces and 4. Adapting accordingly, as well as the great use of diagrams.

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