Blog Exercise Summary

This was the first time creating a blog. I found the experience very challenging and initially, somewhat disconcerting. First, I consider myself somewhat of an introvert. That being the case, I think that I am very uncomfortable with putting my thoughts, even educational ones, out for public consumption. I know that sounds strange since I post to the discussion threads, but I view that a little differently. Besides, I have been doing online classes for the past ten years and have become very comfortable with that controlled environment. Publishing for the entire world to view, to me, seemed somehow strange. Hopefully with more experience in this area, that feeling will go away.

The challenge of this assignment, and class, had to do with the timing. Prior to beginning this degree program, my professional responsibilities were manageable and their associated deadlines minimal. With the passing of the stimulus plan, or its official title, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, our state agency as probably other state agencies, have become inundated with several initiatives, all having to be completed, right now. The next thing I knew I had more deadlines than there were hours in the day. Although very grateful that I have a job, I’m not necessarily happy with the amount of work that has come my way in the past month. The challenge now is managing this extensive increase in work and staying on top of my course work. I am also somewhat frustrated that I don’t have as much time as I would like to become more familiar with the new technology that I have been introduced to during the class but this blogging exercise is a step in the right direction for gaining the desired new knowledge.

Cheryl

Instructor Roles

When I was working on my bachelor degree, I attended a traditional class of sorts in that we had to physically go to the classroom and it was face-to-face instruction. However, since it was on a military installation, the class size was smaller than those large university campuses. So I was completely taken by surprise when I read that graduate teaching assistants taught without the supervision of their professors (Bates & Poole, 2003, p.155). This was definitely new information to me, but obvious the normal course of doing business at universities. I wonder, then, would it be difficult to get a teaching position at a community college with a graduate degree; although my interest actually lies towards corporate training.

Another statement in the text had to do with instructional designers being capable of being project managers but managers cannot be instructional designers without extensive training (Bates & Poole, p. 158). I beg to differ. I have had the unfortunate luck of holding the position within my organization of Software Quality Assurance (SQA). In this role, one of my primary responsibilities is to evaluate IT projects throughout their development life cycle. This may not always be the case, but I have watched a great deal of IT professionals fail miserably at being project managers simply because they were not trained to be project managers. My opinion here is that it is an advantage to have Instructional Designers involved with training design projects, but unless they are trained project managers, it would be more beneficial if the project manager of the design project actually have project manager experience.

Cheryl

Module 2b Web 2.0 Technology

In module 2 I had a question I wanted to pose to the class but the events within my professional life overwhelmed me and I let the opportunity slip by. Nonetheless, the question still exists. I am curious to find out who uses radio as a delivery method for distance education and what are they teaching with it? Okay onto my discussion of web 2.0 technology.

Module 2a

I really enjoyed this module. This module validated for me the selection of the MDE program as a compliment to my bachelor and prior master degree which are in Information Systems (CIS/MIS). It allowed me to blend my love for Information Technology into what is becoming my second passion; education. I actually got a chance to experience two of the applications used to develop and deliver distance education classes. I chose WebEx and Moodle as the two applications to explore. I have had a great deal of actual practical experience with WebEx because it is what my agency uses to hold meetings, conferences, and training. I have hosted several past WebEx meeting and events. It was only after doing the comparative analysis of the two applications did I consider that there were just as many cons as there were pros for WebEx. When compared to Moodle, WebEx can be somewhat limiting in terms of how flexible the application can be; but WebEx does has some advantages as well. The key advantage of using WebEx is that of convenience. With WebEx there is very little preparation required to get up and running. Moodle on the other hand requires a great deal of preliminary work to get up and running to include installation and configuration of the application. However Moodle was the application that held my interest the most. I would really like to become more familiar with this application. I like the possibility of developing my own course. Moodle, with its open source code offers unlimited potentials in this area.

The only drawback I had with this module was that of time. There was just not enough time for me to really learn the application the way that I wanted to. I also wanted to try Second City but again, there was just not enough time. I can only hope that I will somehow be able to get back to both of these applications sometime in the future. Unfortunately it may have to be after I have finished my degree.

Cheryl

Synchronous and Asynchronous Technology

It has been quite awhile. I will never understand why everything has to always happen at once but that seems to be the story of my life these past few weeks. Well on to my discussion of synchronous and asynchronous technology.

Face to face teaching is the most common approach that comes to mind when I think about synchronous teaching. This course, however, reminded me that audio, video, and internet delivery methods can also offer synchronous approaches in distance education. I have been introduced to several technological products to enable synchronous distance education communication. These tools offer, among other things, the potential for online collaboration and video presentation of course material to their intended students. I have not pursued many synchronous courses in several years, however, synchronous courses do offer several benefits including motivation through group interaction and competition; a feeling of belonging to a group; and instant feedback. The disadvantage of synchronous technology is the requirement to be present at a specific time to participate in the delivery of the information which takes away the flexibility I have identified as being necessary in order for me to continue my education.

Asynchronous technology is the reverse of synchronous. Asynchronous technology provides delayed transmission of communication. There are several common technologies that use asynchronous methods of communication. These examples include email and written documentation. Asynchronous technology may also use some of the same methods as those used by synchronous technologies, as well. The most obvious are the internet and audio. The key advantage that I have found with asynchronous technology is that of flexibility. These last three weeks are prime examples of the advantages afforded me by asynchronous technology. Between my job and my problematic satellite connection, I had to work on my class assignments as some very odd times of the day and night. Asynchronous technologies makes situation such as this possible. Asynchronous technologies offer other advantages as well. The opportunity to think through what I want to write is a luxury not offered during synchronous communication. This is truly my preferred method of education communications. I need this flexibility.