Reflections on EDLD 5318

I designed an online based distance learning course for our Pre-K students. The course was designed with the purpose of meeting the needs of Pre=K students during this Covid 19 pandemic. An essential part of the course’s success is parental involvement that ensures students success in accessing technology and completing assignments.

Instructional Design Theories I believe all learning theories can have a place in in development of online learning environments. I do not think you can teach without objectivism as the theory of facts that must be learned. Behaviorism and our responses to stimuli through emotions, feelings, and attitudes (Bates, 2019). Cognitivism and levels of deeper more critical thinking. Constructivism and the continuous dynamic process (Bates, 2019). Connectivism and the view that connections are formed in a natural process (Bates, 2019). However, I do believe certain theories will dominate others in the process of developing an online learning environment. The theory or theories I believe I leaned to or chose are Behaviorism, constructivism, and cognitivism.

UbD Plan Implementation In creating a learning environment and learning opportunities I followed the three-stage backward design framework of the understanding by design framework. I started with stage one by identifying desired results. My desired results are for students to create their own music composition in a digital online open education resource using a three-color code system for pitches and a rhythmic pattern accompaniment. Then I determined what ways I could assess students to gather evidence of learning. Finally, I planned out the learning experiences students would be involved in throughout the course to provide opportunities for connections to be made and the new knowledge to be used in a meaningful way.

Importance of Online Learning Technology is an inescapable future. It continues to rapidly grow and change our interactions with each other and the world around us. It is extremely important that students are given the opportunity to interact and learn to use technology in meaningful ways, so they do not find themselves left out of opportunities for work and growth in the future. Online learning also reaches students that may have disabilities or other issues with making it to traditional learning environments. Online learning and the development of MOOC’s and other open learning formats online are expanding education to the world.

Enduring Understanding The enduring understanding I take from this course is understanding effective techniques for planning a learning environment and designing an online based course. My new understanding of learning and best practices to follow when designing an online course. How online distance learning is evolving and impacting education today and the opportunities it is creating.

Resources

Bates. A.W. Tony. (2019, Oct. 10) Teaching in a Digital Age. BCcampus. http://opentextbc.ca/teachinginadigitalage/