Final Reflections
Throughout the instructional design course this semester, I have had the opportunity to continually review my current instructional practices and abilities in order to provide students with a more effective online course experience. As an instructional designer I believe that course design is a continual process and that there is always room for improvement. In the following essay, I will discuss my growth as an instructional designer during this semester’s course – EDUC 763 Instructional Design for E-Learning.
One of the key concepts that I have extracted from this course was William Horton’s online design model that proposes that educators should provide learners with “absorb, do, and connect” activities. I have provided all three of these activities previously in my online course, but I did not realize there was a name or theory behind this type of organizational method. I also did not realize the “connection” between all three elements. I had witnessed other instructors using this design and had simply adopted it without much regard or understanding. Now that I truly understand the philosophy, I have been able to revise my modules to be more effective and interconnected! Yahoo!
By compiling an alignment chart this semester; I have been able to improve my course curriculum by taking the time and reflective energy to more closely align the modules with WTCS course competencies. In addition, constructing learning guides also assisted in making clear the connections between course competencies, activities and assessments. Completing the alignment chart enabled me to look at my oral/interpersonal communication course from a macro level perspective and completing the learning guides allowed me to view my course design from a micro level perspective. Both exercises were needed to properly structure and polish my course. I believe that my modules are now more solid, well rounded and unified. I could not have accomplished this goal and/or task without the knowledge I learned during this graduate course.
During the course I also assessed my strengths and weaknesses as an instructor. Assessing these elements has assisted me in compiling a list of professional goals to work on throughout the upcoming school year. I will be integrating and implementing these goals into my professional development plan for 2013-2014.
Finally, I can honestly say that I have truly enjoyed the professional atmosphere of the community of learners that my fellow classmates and instructor created during the semester. I am looking forward to incorporating the revisions that appear under this project’s “Course Revisions” tab in the following two weeks before the fall semester begins. I am very excited to hit the ground running in order to revamp and update my online course with all of the wonderful things I learned!
One of the key concepts that I have extracted from this course was William Horton’s online design model that proposes that educators should provide learners with “absorb, do, and connect” activities. I have provided all three of these activities previously in my online course, but I did not realize there was a name or theory behind this type of organizational method. I also did not realize the “connection” between all three elements. I had witnessed other instructors using this design and had simply adopted it without much regard or understanding. Now that I truly understand the philosophy, I have been able to revise my modules to be more effective and interconnected! Yahoo!
By compiling an alignment chart this semester; I have been able to improve my course curriculum by taking the time and reflective energy to more closely align the modules with WTCS course competencies. In addition, constructing learning guides also assisted in making clear the connections between course competencies, activities and assessments. Completing the alignment chart enabled me to look at my oral/interpersonal communication course from a macro level perspective and completing the learning guides allowed me to view my course design from a micro level perspective. Both exercises were needed to properly structure and polish my course. I believe that my modules are now more solid, well rounded and unified. I could not have accomplished this goal and/or task without the knowledge I learned during this graduate course.
During the course I also assessed my strengths and weaknesses as an instructor. Assessing these elements has assisted me in compiling a list of professional goals to work on throughout the upcoming school year. I will be integrating and implementing these goals into my professional development plan for 2013-2014.
Finally, I can honestly say that I have truly enjoyed the professional atmosphere of the community of learners that my fellow classmates and instructor created during the semester. I am looking forward to incorporating the revisions that appear under this project’s “Course Revisions” tab in the following two weeks before the fall semester begins. I am very excited to hit the ground running in order to revamp and update my online course with all of the wonderful things I learned!