EDUC639 Most Important Theory Blog

After reviewing several theories regarding educational technology and distance education, I chose the adult learning theory.  Tucker (2003) conducted research regarding the demographics of distance educators and the study revealed that the average age of the students is 25.  This study demonstrates that the majority of students participating in distance education courses are adults.  As more universities develop a distance education program, we are likely to see an even larger increase in adult interest and enrollment.  If this assumption is accurate, it is then important to evaluate, analyze, and research adult learning in a distance education environment.  Further, we need to address the implications regarding adult learning in distance education.

The adult learning theory is important with respect to distance education for two primary reasons – adults are the largest customers of distance education and distance education curriculum should be tailored to its audience.  As I analyzed the literature regarding the adult learning theory in distance education there were several constant themes that emerged.  Adults are more apt to enroll in distance education because they feel they have the maturity, independence, and discipline to complete coursework outside of the standard resident classroom.  On the contrary, while adults may exhibit the aforementioned traits, adult learners can and do feel anxiety, pressure, and frustration with distance education.  One example on how to tailor a curriculum that defeats the negative traits is to target the student’s experiences.  Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, Zvacek (2009) indicated that adult learners bring a world of life experiences that positively contributes to the confidence and learning of the student.  Further, adult learners thrive in discussion board forum setting because they are able to freely express their opinions/views/backgrounds.

The adult learning theory did not change my views towards distance education however, it did open my eyes to the reality of adult learning in a distance education environment.  Since the majority of students enrolled in distance education are adults, continued research needs to be constantly reviewed and analyzed in order to provide the correct program of learning for adults.  This is not to say that research in distance education for other age demographics should be overlooked – it is equally important that all students regardless of age receive a top-notch education that targets their strengths/traits.

As a Marine officer, it is our duty to promote life-long learning among our subordinate unit leaders.  The majority of Marines are  adults aged 18-22.  The adult learning theory is a perfect example of a theory that needs to be addressed and researched in the Marine Corps because our audience are adults.  With our growing distance education program, research in how we operate our program and our audience should be a priority.   

References:

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2009). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education. (4th ed.) New York City, NY: Allyn & Bacon.   

Tucker, S. (2003). A portrait of distance learners in higher education. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 4(3), 1.  

Social networking for teachers and personal use

Social networking has proven to become a popular past time for anyone who has participated in one of the several websites that offer this capability.  Social networking for personal use has revolutionized how people interact and connect to the outside world.  Without question, Facebook is arguably the most iconic social networking site with millions of people interacting on a daily basis.  Using sites such as Facebook for personal use in my opinion is an excellent way to use technology.  There are concerns with social networking sites/media for personal use and most of the concern centers around privacy issues.  While the majority of social networking sites have privacy options for the user to set in place, it is still difficult to control what people post and write on your own site.  This unfortunately can lead to embarrassing moments for users and sometimes can even lead to criminal chargers depending on the circumstance.  By and large, if users browse, interact, and connect in a responsible manner, social networking for personal use is outstanding.

On the educational side, social networking sites/media have provided an extra resource/option for distance education.  Students can setup their own personal blogs and share their blogs with fellow students/teachers.  As evident in this course, using blogs is an efficient means to assign a topic where students can informally post and reply to other students.  The blog sites bring the interactivity from a resident classroom course to an online distance education course.  The gap that is bridged demonstrates one of the benefits of social networking in an educational setting.  To go along with some of the discussion regarding social networking sites in the classroom, I believe teachers have to be cautious with sites such as Facebook because of the privacy issues.  Teachers can be innovative with social networking sites/media in the classroom however, it is important to understand the risks that are involved.

Technology that I use

It took me a few years but I upgraded my flip phone to the HTC Incredible.  It was a great decision.  I am a big fan of the Android operating system.  I also purchased the Motorola Xoom for my wife however, she would tell you that I really bought it for me!  I would say that primarily use the Incredible and Xoom for keeping up to date on my favorite sports teams.  I also like the Xoom because of the Google Chat capability.  Due to my profession, I am constantly in the field or deployed.  As long as I have access to Wi-Fi I am able to video chat with my wife.  It definitely breaks up the monotony of text messaging and traditional phone calls.  I have also used the Xoom for accessing my Liberty Online courses.  I bought the Bluetooth keyboard which allows me to type quicker rather than pressing the touch screen.  This flexibility has really enabled me to access courseware “anytime, anywhere.”  Both the Xoom and Incredible have both benefited my family.  There have been situations where I have had to access my bank accounts, and both technologies have afforded me that opportunity.  Further, my wife and I on road trips can use the Xoom on the 3G network to knock out some family tasks.  Examples like the above have really been huge for our family.

Social Networking Technologies

I have used Skype extensively in both classes and for personal use.  Skype is extremely popular among deployed servicemen and women because of the video chat capability.  I have used Skype as a synchronous technology for two Liberty online classes.  If you only have to communicate with one other person via Skype there are really no connectivity issues.  The last class I took, we tried to synch three of us total and the connectivity was degraded.  It was tough to collaborate and accomplish assigned tasks because of the loss of connection with a group member.  Skype for educational purposes is great because you are able to visually communicate with a partner.  The connectivity is the only concern with Skype as a synchronous technology.  Skype partnered with Facebook to enable users to video chat through Facebook.  This added bonus on Facebook reaches out to a broader audience which provides even more flexibility for students to use the synchronous video chat capability.

Blogs are another solid social networking resource that can be tailored to fit an educational purpose.  Blogs provide a forum where students can respond to a posed question and exchange ideas/opinions.  In a lot of ways – Blogs are similar to discussion board forums.  Teachers can use blogs as an educational site, where they post informal content on a specific lesson that students can access and read on their own time.  As seen through our current course – You Tube videos is another social networking technology that can be used for educational purposes.  Teachers and students can post videos about a specific topic and view them for content.    

asynchronous and synchronous colloboration

I frequently collaborate in asynchronous and synchronous online environments.  As a Marine officer, I am student through the USMC online distance education program.  We use Elluminate Live as our primary method of synchronous collaboration.  In one particular class, we used Elluminate Live once a week for 10 weeks.  I have found that collaboration via Elluminate Live can be effective as long as everyone understands the capabilities and limitations of the software prior to the class.  The USMC online distance education program also uses discussion board forums to promote asynchronous collaboration.  While I prefer immediate feedback and communication via synchronous learning, I do respond well to discussion board forums.  I enjoy the flexibility of asynchronous learning and tend to thrive in that environment.

As a Liberty University student, I also collaborate in asynchronous and synchronous environments.  Until recently, the majority of my online education was through asynchronous learning.  The educational technology concentration has opened the door to synchronous learning.  I have participated in Elluminate Live, Skype, and Second Life.  Each synchronous software brings its positives and negatives and all generally break up the monotony of asynchronous learning.  I am confident in operating in Elluminate Live and Skype.  Second Life is new to me and I am not well versed in the capabilities to truly collaborate.  Regardless, I feel that I have the ability to operate in both asynchronous and synchronous learning environments.

Web Based Resources

Here are some of the web resources that I have used:

1. The Smithsonian Education

The goal of the Smithsonian Education website is to have an impact as “the national education organization.”  The website offers a multitude of journals for teachers and students to reference. The website browser for finding resources is user friendly and there is little to no issue with finding a particular subject.  The unique item about the website is that it offers a browser to find each state’s standards of learning (SOL) by course subject.  The SOL browser makes life easier for educators and students who are looking for a particular SOL for their respective state.  The website also offers information on field trips, specifically, field trip work sheets and planning for a field trip.

http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/index.html

2. PBS Teachers

The PBS Teachers website offers lesson plans, activities, videos, and interactive games for educators to reference and implement within their classrooms. PBS Teachers has information and materials for Kindergarten through 12^th grade. The website browser is broken down by age group and you can filter through subject which makes finding material very simple.  The website also offers teacher discussions where teachers can collaborate and discuss about material.

http://www.pbs.org/teachers/

3. The National Education Association

The National Education Association (NEA) website offers lesson plans, current issues regarding education, and discussion/information about classroom management.  The website’s browser is not as user friendly as the other websites that I have listed.  The NEA was created to promote a better public school education system across all states and the majority of the site describes the road ahead to get to quality education for everyone.

http://www.nea.org/home

4. The History Classroom

The History Classroom provides study guide materials to the many different history specials they offer.  Teachers can show videos to their class with the corresponding study guides, such as,Jefferson.  The students can refer to the discussion ideas listed in the study guide and reflect on the discussion questions throughout the series.  The website browser is user friendly and it easy to find material.

http://www.history.com/shows/classroom

5. The Federal Resources for Educational Excellence

The Federal Resources for Educational Excellence provides information all courses that are taught in public schools.  Teachers and students can reference the website to find facts about a particular subject.  The website does have a browser but it is not user friendly.  It is best to use the drop down window for the subject you are looking for information rather than using the browser.

http://www.free.ed.gov/index.cfm

Benefits from presentations

As a visual learner, I benefit from presentations that include lots of images, videos, and anything interactive that keeps my attention.  I do not benefit from too much wording from the presentation.  I also learn from repetition, so taking notes throughout the presentation significantly increase my learning of the topic.  Interaction also aids my learning from a presentation.   I thrive on peer and instructor interaction through a period of instruction.  It forces me to stay alert and exchange ideas/opinions on the topic being discussed.  Some of the best presentations that I have sat on, deviated from the presentation and forced the class to critically analyze a topic and discuss.  Unfortunately, I do not benefit from a monotonous presentation where the instructor talks the entire time.  If the teacher is using a Power Point presentation, having the copy of the brief/presentations also aids me in staying focused because I can follow the presentation and take notes on the paper copy.  I am a big fan of online education however, I enjoy and learn more from a resident classroom presentation vice an online presentation.  I think that sitting in a classroom forces you to listen to the period of instruction whereas an online presentation you have to battle distractions.