Sharon's Reflection Room

Reflecting on my experience with the Online Networked Learning (ONL) course, I’ve gained invaluable insights that have significantly shaped my approach to teaching and learning. The most profound lessons involve the importance of active engagement, fostering inclusive environments, and the strategic use of technology in education.

One key realization is the transformative power of ice-breakers in every meeting. These simple activities dramatically improved group dynamics, fostering a sense of community and openness crucial for collaborative learning. This experience reinforced the notion that engagement is an active responsibility. By taking charge of our learning, both as individuals and as a group, we were able to tailor our educational journey to our specific needs and interests, leading to a more empowering experience. Creating inclusive spaces emerged as another vital lesson. Valuing diverse perspectives and experiences not only made everyone feel welcome but also enriched our discussions, leading to a deeper understanding of the subjects at hand.

These insights have reshaped my approach to both group work and curriculum design. I’ve learned the importance of being proactive in contributions, which makes group work more enjoyable and productive. Aligning curriculum design closely with learning objectives, possibly formulated as a group, ensures relevance and engagement for all students. Moreover, embracing new approaches and stepping out of my comfort zone has become a guiding principle in my teaching. Regarding technology’s role in education, it is a powerful tool, but it should be viewed as a means to an end, not an end in itself. Balancing pedagogical goals with technological tools is crucial for achieving desired learning outcomes.

After completing ONL, I plan to evolve beyond traditional lecture videos in e-learning. My strategy is to integrate these videos with interactive techniques, like virtual discussions and real-time quizzes. This approach will transform passive video watching into an engaging, practical learning experience, making the content more relevant and dynamic for students. For the future development of eLearning, I plan to focus more on social learning. Implementing collaborative projects, peer reviews, or discussion forums can foster a community spirit and mirror real-world collaborative scenarios.

In summary, the ONL course has not only enriched my understanding of effective teaching and learning practices but also inspired me to continuously seek innovative, inclusive ways to engage students in their learning journey.

Reflecting on self-directed learning within blended learning contexts, it’s clear that the key to its effectiveness lies in harmonizing students’ learning intentions with the established learning goals. Blended learning, a dynamic educational model that combines synchronous and asynchronous learning, requires a well-thought-out structure and transparent communication to be successful. The primary challenge lies in creating an environment where both individual and group learning are driven by a clear purpose and intention, tailored to the students’ needs.

As an educator, it is essential to recognize the significance of aligning every task, whether synchronous or asynchronous, with both the educational objectives and the students’ personal learning intentions. While the educator’s intentions regarding what students should learn remain vital, these intentions must also be learner-centric. This approach requires a shift from traditional teaching methods, where educator-driven objectives predominate, to a more balanced perspective that equally values the students’ viewpoints and aspirations.

It’s insufficient for educators to simply encourage students to allocate time for self-paced, self-directed learning. A more nuanced approach is required. The BL environment should be designed to offer students choices, paired with explicit instructions about the learning intentions. This should include an estimation of the time required and recommendations for each task. The concept is akin to ‘nudging’ in behavioral economics, where subtle design changes in the BL environment are intended to significantly influence the students’ decision-making processes and behaviors, guiding them towards more goal-aligned learning choices.

For example, in a BL course on environmental science, a task might involve researching the impact of plastic pollution. The explicit instruction here would not just be to “research and present findings” but to “explore the socio-economic factors influencing plastic pollution, dedicating approximately two hours to research, and aligning findings with the broader topic of sustainable development.”

This approach requires educators to adopt a more facilitative role, guiding students through their learning journey. It’s about creating a learning space that empowers students, giving them the autonomy to make informed choices while keeping them aligned with their learning objectives. The design of the BL environment should reflect this philosophy, incorporating elements that encourage exploration, critical thinking, and application of knowledge.

As educators, we need to evolve from being mere conveyors of knowledge to architects of learning environments that stimulate, engage, and nurture self-directed learners. By doing so, we not only enhance the learning experience but also equip students with the skills to navigate an increasingly complex and ever-changing world.

“When we are not dependent on each other, a learning community cannot exist.”

This profound insight resonated with me as I navigated the complexities of online learning communities. It highlighted a fundamental truth: the success of these communities relies heavily on interdependence, underpinned by a sense of belonging and shared purpose.

In my experiences building successful online learning communities, I’ve learned that fostering this sense of belonging and purpose is vital. Individuals who feel valued and integral to the community are more motivated to engage and learn. However, I also observed a trend within self-selected groups. Despite the expectation of natural cohesion and belonging, these groups often tended toward uniformity. This was clearly illustrated in Smart and Csapo’s (2003) study, which highlighted that self-selected groups frequently lack the diversity and varied resources essential for high productivity, especially in educational contexts.

To tackle this challenge, I plan to implement a new ‘Two Plus Two’ method for group formation in my future online courses. Here, students initially pair with a chosen peer, fostering comfort and initial belonging. Then, as an instructor, I’ll merge these pairs with another duo, enriching the group with diverse interactions and perspectives. I believe this method will blend the comfort of familiar relationships with the dynamic benefits of diverse group membership, enhancing the overall learning experience.

Reflecting on my online learning journey, I’ve recognized the importance of stepping out of our comfort zones, particularly in participating in learning communities. It’s in embracing the diverse and seemingly chaotic array of perspectives that profound learning emerges. This experience highlights that in the expansive world of online education, the most enriching experiences can arise from the diversity and interconnectedness of its participants.

References:

Smart, K. L., & Csapo, N. (2003). Team-based learning: Promoting classroom collaboration. Issues in Information Systems, 4(1), 316-322.