Example Of One Of My Videos
Distance Learning in My Classroom
In all my classes I use instructional videos to show the learners the many steps that are required to complete their projects (2.5). This process allows the students to work “at their own pace …independent of other students” (http://teorije-ucenja.zesoi.fer.hr/doku.php?id=learning_theories:the_keller_plan). This usually happens with my grade eight and nine students and in the later half of the semester with my grade sevens. By slowly introducing them to the videos they are able to continue to ask questions of myself and of their peers to better understand the steps they are required to learn (2.7).
Distance education learning theories are now more dominant in my F-2-F classrooms. For example when teaching my grade seven students to create their first project using a blanket stitch, I used to start by teaching the whole class using only live demonstrations and now I have added many different mediums together. These mediums include; video, live demonstrations, pictures alongside written instructions. Using different types of instruction will benefit all types of learners; the verbal instructions are done with a demonstration that also coincides with a video and instruction sheet. The video and instruction sheet are made to follow the exact steps that I talk about in the exact order. If the learner is having difficulty, they are asked to watch the video and try to do each step along with the video. If that process does not work, they are then asked to talk with a peer and then come to the teacher. This process is hard for them to learn, however, once they have done a few projects they are able to follow the videos from the start of their project all the way to the finishing steps. This shows the learner that the material that they have learned previously was meaningful and relevant to this and future projects (2.7).
With these videos in place I was starting to become interested in learning a language. This brought me to researching the different applications one could use to learn how to speak Punjabi. By learning this language it would open up the possibility of voicing over the videos I had already created with simple instructions using as many Punjabi words as possible creating a better understanding of what was required. I was looking to see if they were free, easy to use, and had correct pronunciations of words.
Reflection of the Application Assignment
My goal for this assignment was to learn some basic words and phrases to communicate with my students in Punjab. I teach in a school located in the North East quadrant of Calgary, Alberta. The school is mostly populated with students who have immigrated, or are first generation Canadians, from India and Pakistan. By learning Punjabi I would be better able to instruct the students both one-on-one, through videos, communicating with the parents during F-2-F meetings, and telephone conversations (1.11). In order to be successful I will have to use applications that are accessible at all times and on many interfaces.
I was impacted by a language learning application that taught Punjabi through video, audio and visual prompting. For this assignment I was required to evaluate my application of choice in terms of; time, activities for learning, feedback on learning, motivation, mobility and usability. The application fit well into all the areas I was evaluating and allowed the learner to move at their own pace, offering quizzes and activities that made learning enjoyable. As it was an application that I could have on my mobile device I was able to take it with me and learn when I had free moments.
I asked my students if the words I was learning were pronounced properly on the application and they told me they were very close and that no one would misunderstand if I were to pronounce the ones that were not completely correct (5.9). This has impacted both my teaching and my learning because I am able to speak with my students parents, not fully fluent but better than before where I knew nothing. It has impacted my learning because I was able to understand more about another language and found that learning a language online was easier than I originally anticipated.
Technology Review PDF
Learning Motivations
In this course we talked about how the theories could benefit our students in both F-2-F and DL classrooms. I talked about how having the learners reflect on a week's readings would benefit the learners. This is a benefit to them because they would be given on going feedback on their writing. Having constant feedback will “emphasize the [positive] consequences of behavior… resulting in satisfying” (Schunk, 2012, p. 74) responses from the learner, increasing their learning of the materials and expectations of the course ultimately affecting their grades on larger assignments (2.2).
I also explored Thorndike’s first theory stating “learning occurs gradually… as successful responses are established” (Schunk, 2012, p.73) brings to light another recommendation. The more learners have the ability to state their own opinions early in the course, before having to make too many comments on others, will allow them to get their thoughts out. This will then increase their knowledge of the topics slowly making each new topic easier to learn and apply to the learners everyday lives (2.2).
These theories would be useful in both a face-to-face situation and in Distance Learning situations. Having the students write reflections and submit them on a regular basis would give the teacher a clear understanding of where the students are with their levels of writing, as well as, where the course needs to progress in terms of teaching punctuation and grammar. It would also help with determining reading level, based on the book choices the students are reflecting on (2.2).
In the application all of the videos that are included to help the learners learn are separated into different areas. Each area is laid out in places that are easily accessible and are in the order the learner needs to watch them for the easiest possible way to learn Punjabi. The fact that the videos are linked at on the main page of the application, for the course, allows the learners to access them at their own pace, giving time for the “trial-and-error learning” (Schunk, 2012, p73) (2.3).
Allowing the learners to re-do any of the lessons allows them to achieve a higher understanding in regards to their speaking and pronunciation. If they only ever receive unsuccessful responses, towards their language test results, they will learn the “annoying (punishing) consequence” (Schunk, 2012, p74) making it either more motivating or harder for them to continue learning.
Thorndike’s first theory stating “learning occurs gradually… as successful responses are established” (Schunk, 2012, p.73) brings me to recommend that the application allow the learner to speak directly into the device and receive feedback on their pronunciation.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Application
As programs and courses are developed the instructors try to determine the easiest and most effective way to communicate the information. My professor explained that many of the learning materials being developed are not brand new and most commonly taken from existing digital resources. This method is known as the "wrap around method" which saves time and money for the program (2.4).
Some advantages of using applications that are already developed saves the new program/course money and intern allows them to charge less for the course helping the students who are enrolled in it. The program can use current and up to date information to educate their students and allow the program to grow and change with the times.
Some disadvantages of using applications that are already developed is that the instructor has no control over the content within the application and how up to date it is.
The ability to determine, as the instructor, what is up to date and relevant is up to the instructor to double check the applications linked to the courses. It is also important to ensure that all the links work when posting them in a course. There have been a few times when video links did not open and so questions related to those posts in the forums were unable to be answered until the new links were posted (2.4).