Learning Management
#digped Storify: the Course as Container
January 14, 2013 | Filed in: #digped
by Sean Michael Morris and Jesse Stommel
During our January 11th #digped discussion, we took a close look at what a course is, and what happens when we consider altering -- or entirely abandoning -- this format for learning. Right off the bat, the nature of the "course" came into question. Every definition offered both made sense, and felt vaguely objectionable. The idea of courses as Lego structures that could be dismantled led us into the idea that a course needs to "go" somewhere; that it takes its participants on a kind of road trip, leading toward a predictable outcome or goal.
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During our January 11th #digped discussion, we took a close look at what a course is, and what happens when we consider altering -- or entirely abandoning -- this format for learning. Right off the bat, the nature of the "course" came into question. Every definition offered both made sense, and felt vaguely objectionable. The idea of courses as Lego structures that could be dismantled led us into the idea that a course needs to "go" somewhere; that it takes its participants on a kind of road trip, leading toward a predictable outcome or goal.
Read More...Comments
We Are All Made of Web Sites
April 09, 2012 | Filed in: Digital Pedagogy
by Sean Michael Morris
To be certain, I feel no discomfort at the notion that “Encouraging learning is an act of subtle manipulation.” Rather, I admire the honesty of that. Being a teacher has always reminded me of the character Columbo, the bumbling -- yet genius -- private investigator of TV legend. In front of the classroom, one appears the way one appears in order to evoke a specific response from students, whether that be awe, wonder, fear, self-authority, curiosity, &c. When I write a lesson plan, it is like writing a drama: here are the characters, here is the plot, here is how we shall use the setting to illuminate the drama, and this -- this part here -- is the climax. I believe it’s important to bring a sense of theatre to the classroom. “The play’s the thing”, after all.
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To be certain, I feel no discomfort at the notion that “Encouraging learning is an act of subtle manipulation.” Rather, I admire the honesty of that. Being a teacher has always reminded me of the character Columbo, the bumbling -- yet genius -- private investigator of TV legend. In front of the classroom, one appears the way one appears in order to evoke a specific response from students, whether that be awe, wonder, fear, self-authority, curiosity, &c. When I write a lesson plan, it is like writing a drama: here are the characters, here is the plot, here is how we shall use the setting to illuminate the drama, and this -- this part here -- is the climax. I believe it’s important to bring a sense of theatre to the classroom. “The play’s the thing”, after all.
Read More...Hack the LMS: Getting Progressive
January 05, 2012 | Filed in: Tools
by Pete Rorabaugh
On the simplest level, a learning management system is any organizational pattern that assists teaching and learning. A grade book can also serve this function; so can a journal or a 3-ring-binder. The LMS (or CMS, for course management system) exists as a method for delivering content to students in a given class. What the classroom is to the traditional course, the LMS is to the online or hybrid course. The point of an LMS is to create learning opportunities for students outside the traditional classroom and on a different schedule. It enables synchronous (at the same time) and asynchronous (not at the same time) interaction between members of a class. It overcomes obstacles that traditional college campuses have: proximity to student populations, limited classroom space, and limited scheduling capabilities. In short, the LMS and the online class solve logistical problems for institutions and for students.
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On the simplest level, a learning management system is any organizational pattern that assists teaching and learning. A grade book can also serve this function; so can a journal or a 3-ring-binder. The LMS (or CMS, for course management system) exists as a method for delivering content to students in a given class. What the classroom is to the traditional course, the LMS is to the online or hybrid course. The point of an LMS is to create learning opportunities for students outside the traditional classroom and on a different schedule. It enables synchronous (at the same time) and asynchronous (not at the same time) interaction between members of a class. It overcomes obstacles that traditional college campuses have: proximity to student populations, limited classroom space, and limited scheduling capabilities. In short, the LMS and the online class solve logistical problems for institutions and for students.
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