Chapter 31, Emerging Instructional Technologies: The Near Future, was for the most part an eye opener for me. I know that as a society we have become quite advanced over the years, and that much of that advancement has taken place over the most recent 30ish years, however the direction, and speed at which the author takes us into the future is unbelievable. Probably the two biggest, and most exciting part of this chapter for me was that if AI (artificial intelligence), and the bit on nanotechnology. I have to admit that I am a "trekie" at heart, and some of the things that were described (between the two areas) really painted the Star Trek picture for me. Now I know that anything of the sort is such a long way away, that I'll likely be long gone before we see anything of the sort, but it sure sounded cool. Door opening for you, wine chilling when your expected home, computers talking to you, and etc.
The other big one that really stuck me as neat, was the Artificial Intellegence with respect to instructional technology. I'm very hopeful that this type of technology will be very beneficial, not only in the educational setting, but in many trades/vocations, and industries. The idea of a platform itself learning how someone learns, and automatically adapting itself, and conforming information/material in a manner which best fits the learner would be an awesome feat.
Favorite activity of the semster:
I really enjoyed learning about the blogger, and its components. I pretty handy at web development (websites, etc.) so this blogger seemed pretty neat to use throughout the semester. I'm actually considering makeing another down the line for a journal type blog. I've never been too good at creative writing, however writing these reflections has sparked my interest a bit. The other activity that I really liked was creating the websites, as I have a nack for it anyway. I only wish that I knew HTML, and Java better. Maybe another course down the line!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Chapter 30
Although just slightly on the more difficult side to read, I really enjoyed this chapter, and found it for the most part easy to relate to my profession. It was somewhat interesting for me to learn more about how the human brain actually learns.
Simulations Can Add Value to an Instructional Program:
This one is pretty much a no brainer for Aviation, in fact I’ve already mentioned it in some of my previous posts with aircraft simulators which aid in training. The example that I wanted to bring out of this chapter is more of a classroom/group simulation. One of our professors in the college just returned from sabbatical last semester. Upon his return, he introduced to several of his class, an airline simulation program. This is where a group gets together, and builds a simulated airline, by setting up an initial structure (type of airplanes, leased or purchased, route structure, passenger costs, and many other items). After these items are set up in the computer simulation, the simulated airline goes live. Throughout the semester, the groups are able to change many things, including purchase, or sale of airplanes, change their cost structures, etc. While there are many things that they can change, there are also things that will frequently change that they cannot control. Several examples are fuel costs, passenger loads, maintenance costs, etc. All of this takes place in a simulated “real world environment”. I do believe that it isn’t quite real-time, but a bit faster.
I think that this type of simulation is an excellent example of a learning tool that is almost a real-world experiment. Kind of like being a simulated CEO of an airline.
Transfer of Learning:
This is an area that we too in aviation try to keep everything on the positive side. What I mean by this is that there are many occasions that may occur in flight training that can end up as a negative transfer of learining. I'll try to give an example. Typically after landing the airplane, we frown upon students reaching over to toggle the flaps lever, retracting the flaps prior to turning off the runway onto a taxiway. Many times a student will just reach over and flip the swich without thinking about it. We do not want them to get into this habbit pattern, because once the student advances in their flght training into a more comlex aircraft (one that has retractable landing gear); their can be a negative transfer of learning from the student reaching over to retract the flaps, and accidentally retract the landing gear instead. This is typically a bad thing if you are still on the ground, hence we would rather the students not do any actions with levers/buttons/switched/ etc, until after taxiing off the runway. (I hope this made some sense to everone).
Simulations Can Add Value to an Instructional Program:
This one is pretty much a no brainer for Aviation, in fact I’ve already mentioned it in some of my previous posts with aircraft simulators which aid in training. The example that I wanted to bring out of this chapter is more of a classroom/group simulation. One of our professors in the college just returned from sabbatical last semester. Upon his return, he introduced to several of his class, an airline simulation program. This is where a group gets together, and builds a simulated airline, by setting up an initial structure (type of airplanes, leased or purchased, route structure, passenger costs, and many other items). After these items are set up in the computer simulation, the simulated airline goes live. Throughout the semester, the groups are able to change many things, including purchase, or sale of airplanes, change their cost structures, etc. While there are many things that they can change, there are also things that will frequently change that they cannot control. Several examples are fuel costs, passenger loads, maintenance costs, etc. All of this takes place in a simulated “real world environment”. I do believe that it isn’t quite real-time, but a bit faster.
I think that this type of simulation is an excellent example of a learning tool that is almost a real-world experiment. Kind of like being a simulated CEO of an airline.
Transfer of Learning:
This is an area that we too in aviation try to keep everything on the positive side. What I mean by this is that there are many occasions that may occur in flight training that can end up as a negative transfer of learining. I'll try to give an example. Typically after landing the airplane, we frown upon students reaching over to toggle the flaps lever, retracting the flaps prior to turning off the runway onto a taxiway. Many times a student will just reach over and flip the swich without thinking about it. We do not want them to get into this habbit pattern, because once the student advances in their flght training into a more comlex aircraft (one that has retractable landing gear); their can be a negative transfer of learning from the student reaching over to retract the flaps, and accidentally retract the landing gear instead. This is typically a bad thing if you are still on the ground, hence we would rather the students not do any actions with levers/buttons/switched/ etc, until after taxiing off the runway. (I hope this made some sense to everone).
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Google Docs / Phixr, etc. -Applications Reviewed!
I have to admit, that as I write this, I am quite impressed. I had no idea that such online applications even existed. I'm testing out Google Docs as I write this, and will cut/paste it into Blogger. At first I was quite suspicious about the application, but after trying it out, printing from it, and even saving/downloading my text document as a word document worked qutie well. One thing that I did notice that this application doesn't do it spell check while you are typing. There is a button that needs to be used once you would like the spell check. As I surf through the menus, it looks like this application offers much of the same options, with some limitations. I believe that this app. could offer a great deal to co-workers, and students. I think that it could definately make a good replacement for students that don't have the office suite on their personal computers, but do have web access. I would definately recommend it!
As far as the Image editing software, I think that this is a great idea, infact I've already used other similar web apps that will do the same thing, but they were on a trial offer. I didn't know that there were actually free services that would allow you to do this. One of the really cool function that I saw is the ability to simultaneously connect your Picnik/Phixr account to others like Facebook/Myspace, etc. I can really see how this type of function would be very adventageous for students who keep a lot of photos stored with such sites. I would also definately recommend these type of web apps to my friends/students/and colleagues. Usually these type of software programs can cost a ton of money, which most students simply cannot afford. For that matter, neither can I! This is a great alternative, with very functionality that tries to come close to actual software that exists on the market. I'm sold!
As far as the Image editing software, I think that this is a great idea, infact I've already used other similar web apps that will do the same thing, but they were on a trial offer. I didn't know that there were actually free services that would allow you to do this. One of the really cool function that I saw is the ability to simultaneously connect your Picnik/Phixr account to others like Facebook/Myspace, etc. I can really see how this type of function would be very adventageous for students who keep a lot of photos stored with such sites. I would also definately recommend these type of web apps to my friends/students/and colleagues. Usually these type of software programs can cost a ton of money, which most students simply cannot afford. For that matter, neither can I! This is a great alternative, with very functionality that tries to come close to actual software that exists on the market. I'm sold!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Week 11 Technology Project
For this week, I have created a website @ the following address www.wmuskybroncos-alumni.com
I created this site as a members only/Alumni website for the WMU Skybroncos (both current, and former Alumni members). Ideally I'd like to start some sort of Alumni association for the flight team. Over the years there have been so many team members that we have lost track of as they move into their careers. I'm hoping the gain contact with as many as possible. THis website is a means of doing so, along with helping them keep up with the current teams events, and up to date information. There is a secure login, however I've setup a temporary login for guests to check out the site for this class.
Please use the folling to log in if you would like to check out the website.
username: Guest
password: Guest
I created this site as a members only/Alumni website for the WMU Skybroncos (both current, and former Alumni members). Ideally I'd like to start some sort of Alumni association for the flight team. Over the years there have been so many team members that we have lost track of as they move into their careers. I'm hoping the gain contact with as many as possible. THis website is a means of doing so, along with helping them keep up with the current teams events, and up to date information. There is a secure login, however I've setup a temporary login for guests to check out the site for this class.
Please use the folling to log in if you would like to check out the website.
username: Guest
password: Guest
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Week 11 Reflection - Chapter 27
After reading Chapter 27 (Competencies for Instructional Design and Technology Professionals), I have come to realize that although I’ve now been teaching in my field for almost eight years, there are many hidden areas that I have a lot more to learn about. It seems that each week after reading another chapter, I just keep finding more information that I didn’t know (and didn’t even know that I should have known before I read it—if that makes any sense).
I’d like to think that having grown up with technology that I have a pretty good grasp at what is going on in the technology world. When it comes to Competency, I think that we all have our strengths, and weaknesses. Chapter 27 discusses many. I found that the Instructor role fits my profession the best. In my mind there are so many of the competencies that apply to what I do that I really had a hard time choosing which to discuss. I’ll try to pick a few.
1. Communicate effectively / Promote Clarification and Feedback / Promote retention of knowledge and skill / Assess learning and performance: These areas are so important within my field, and are pretty much meshed together on a daily basis with each student. I primarily teach one-on-one in an aircraft cockpit setting. During a typical training session, we have a pre-flight brief, then we go fly a lesson, followed by a post flight brief. During these briefs, it is important that we are able to effectively communicate the lesson material, pose and answer questions. During the flight, this is equally imperative, although now multi-tasking and hands-on performance now come in to play. Finally, a thorough post-flight briefing in important to discuss the elements of the flight.
2. Update and improve one’s professional: As an education professional, this is one area that is imperative in the aviation field. Technologies frequently change and we must keep up with up-to-date material and equipment in order for the training we provide to be top notch. Along this train of thought, we must continue our own education, and strive to keep ourselves in the learning process.
I think that on a daily basis, we all strive to be as competent as possible in all of the areas which pertain to our area of expertise, however since most areas encompass so much, I don’t think it is quite possibly to know, and do it all…..but I’ll keep trying, like the rest!
I’d like to think that having grown up with technology that I have a pretty good grasp at what is going on in the technology world. When it comes to Competency, I think that we all have our strengths, and weaknesses. Chapter 27 discusses many. I found that the Instructor role fits my profession the best. In my mind there are so many of the competencies that apply to what I do that I really had a hard time choosing which to discuss. I’ll try to pick a few.
1. Communicate effectively / Promote Clarification and Feedback / Promote retention of knowledge and skill / Assess learning and performance: These areas are so important within my field, and are pretty much meshed together on a daily basis with each student. I primarily teach one-on-one in an aircraft cockpit setting. During a typical training session, we have a pre-flight brief, then we go fly a lesson, followed by a post flight brief. During these briefs, it is important that we are able to effectively communicate the lesson material, pose and answer questions. During the flight, this is equally imperative, although now multi-tasking and hands-on performance now come in to play. Finally, a thorough post-flight briefing in important to discuss the elements of the flight.
2. Update and improve one’s professional: As an education professional, this is one area that is imperative in the aviation field. Technologies frequently change and we must keep up with up-to-date material and equipment in order for the training we provide to be top notch. Along this train of thought, we must continue our own education, and strive to keep ourselves in the learning process.
I think that on a daily basis, we all strive to be as competent as possible in all of the areas which pertain to our area of expertise, however since most areas encompass so much, I don’t think it is quite possibly to know, and do it all…..but I’ll keep trying, like the rest!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Week 10 Chapter 22 Reflection
At this point in my life, I have had very little experience outside of the Collegiate / University setting in Higher education, thus Chapter 22 was quite a bit easier for me to relate to in terms of Instructional Design.
One of the biggest themes that I have noticed over the past three chapters is the vast complexity in the world of Instructional Design when it comes to change. Whether changing or adding a curriculum in higher education, making a piecemeal , or systemic change in a P-12 setting, or changing a training strategy in the business world, these type of ID projects are very complex, and require a critical need for collaboration, teamwork, and solid communication.
Although complexity is one of the common themes that I see in the chapters, I think that the context of Instructional design is really quite different in the Business and Industry sectors, or at least compared to Higher education, and P-12 settings.
One of the biggest themes that I have noticed over the past three chapters is the vast complexity in the world of Instructional Design when it comes to change. Whether changing or adding a curriculum in higher education, making a piecemeal , or systemic change in a P-12 setting, or changing a training strategy in the business world, these type of ID projects are very complex, and require a critical need for collaboration, teamwork, and solid communication.
Although complexity is one of the common themes that I see in the chapters, I think that the context of Instructional design is really quite different in the Business and Industry sectors, or at least compared to Higher education, and P-12 settings.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Week 10 - Screencasting
This is my 1st try at making a Video tutorial. It basically begins by walking someone through Loging in to a website that we use at the college of aviation for multiple purposes, guiding the student to change his/her password, and a brief intro to a home-page within the software. I also tried to encorporate a bit of Powerpoint to help guide my narration (how embarraring once you hear yourself).
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