The New Normal For e-Learning; The Situation, Design, and Coming Along...

Description:
This week I researched and studied the some of the key aspects of the design and delivery of content using an online platform.  The question presented is "what I forecast will become the new normal for e-learning in the in the next three years?"

Impact:
What I found, for fear of going "rogue" is the School of Nutrition and Dietetics has a lot of catching up to do. I was able to see the role on both sides.  As a student, I forecast that more and more course information will be presented in an online format.   I believe that additional resources will be provided in multiple learning platforms housed in one system that as a student I will now be responsible for obtaining.  As an instructor, I forecast that the students will prefer that most of the information that is not part of an "active" learning environment be presented in an online system where it can be accessed anytime, anywhere.  That being said this will now become a larger responsibility of mine to be sure that the information continues to stay accurate and relevant.  I see a big shift in responsibility in both roles.  

I see that while not all of the courses we offer in our undergraduate program will be able to be offered fully online our Master's program most certainly could.  That's not to say that changes are not on the horizon.  What I see becoming of my OLE is that many and most of the reinforcement activities will be offered fully online with the hopes of a lab course being able to also be offered online, potentially utilizing an OLE, although I am not sure which would accommodate this concept at the time. I will need time to really research this so to offer the student a quality experience.  

Intent:
Throughout the remainder of my course work, I will continue to research ideas to offer a quality Food Science course 100% online.  I will research other universities and technology formats introduced in the Strategies for Online Teaching and Learning and other courses as well.   When it comes time to breathe I can't wait to truly research all of the great resources that I'm now able to access.   This program overall has given me a great take away!  Now to put it to use!!

Collaboration in Online Learning

Description
This week we studied quite a bit of information regarding the elements of collaboration in an Online Learning Environment (OLE). Now I am left to determine whether or not  I will be including these elements in my OLE.

Impact
This week I have been considering the development of my OLE.  I believe that including the element of discussion will be an integral part of the OLE that I am planning to create.  My plan is to develop an OLE outside of Springboard that will provide the students an opportunity to engage and participate in activities relating to the Colombian Exchange.    This is a topic that is covered extensively in our Cultural Dimensions of Food course.  The age range of these learners are Juniors and Seniors, with some occasional Sophomores in the Food and Environmental Nutrition program at the University of Akron.  

Using the the element of active learning and discussion, I believe will allow students to truly learn from and engage with one another, rather than simply gaining information from lecture, articles, and textbooks.  Since this topic is a thread throughout the entire course it is important that students fully understand and are able to refer back to the impact that the Colombian Exchange has had on our food system.  I believe that sometimes information can be retained more easily when students can engage in peer discussions and activities.  

Intent
My plan at this time is to search out the most effective environment to facilitate what it is I am trying to accomplish.  I have looked into Google Classrooms, Zunal, WebQuest, Wiki, and a variety of other formats that will assist me in delivering and implementing the right OLE for the students to engage.  I will really need to get a grasp on the layout of information and activities that I will expect the students to accomplish before making the final choice concerning the online format.

Open Educational Resources

Description:
This week I was tasked to explore my stance on Online Learning Environments (OLE) and the use Open Educational Resources (OER).

Impact:
I had to think about this quite a bit.  Until I entered my Master's program I had very little experience with any real OLE.  After the initial intimidation wore off I found this alternative to traditional classroom learning to be quite valuable.   When considering the use of digital texts and resources I can appreciate why publishers would want to impose a cost.  Someone has to put the resources together right?

On the other hand I am largely in favor of an OLE where where resources and other pertinent information is provided all in one place.  I This type of learning environment lends itself well to my crazy busy life.  I appreciate the fact that all I need to have with me at any given time is my iPad or cell phone and I have access to all of the information and assignments no matter where I am.  Because of the flexibility I have been able to respond to discussions, submit assignments, and interact with instructors all while sitting on the sideline at a soccer game, backyard barbecue, and even TKD competitions.

I must admit this is this is the first semester that I decided to purchase a textbook in the digital format. Thus far it has been a great alternative lugging around all of my books and other class information.  I have access to it anywhere that I may be as long as there is access to the internet. It does add an element of nervousness for me though, as I am worried about internet access.  Usually this is of no concern to me since I have paper versions.  

Using an OER format can have it's major downsides as well.  What happens if the system goes down or internet access is lost.  For example, this week our LMS has taken a dive.  I have no access to course information.  This is unfortunate as I still have some work to submit and discussions to continue.  All I can do now is hope for the best and keep my fingers crosses that the technicians have the problem solved at some point today.

Intent:

I will most likely be using the same LMS when our courses are developed for the online format.  I plan to create some other OLE that students can access to retrieve assignments and other information in the event that the LMS goes down  While this will take a great deal of work on my part I feel it is important for students to be able to access information using an alternative measure.  I would also want to have a backup plan so that the class could just roll either using other forms like blogs to have classroom discussions.  I am going to slowly start working on collecting information and links that I would like students to be able to access through OER.