Design Experiment 2

After reading the supplemental instruction handout on Affordances, I have learned I am the primary voice in this Blog.  And, I hope to convey the learning that is taking place in using this new learning tool. 

As I experienced the features of Edmodo, I noted several advantages when comparing it to eCollege (due to access issues, I was not able to use Google Classroom). 

The following were immediate observations that involved learning in Edmodo:

The company website was fairly easy to navigate.  Thus, I am taking everything I do as a teachable moment.  And, each time we are required to complete a digital experiment assignment, I view every key stroke as a ‘teachable moment’.  This week as I noted thoughts, I found Edmodo’s website easy to navigate and this allowed me to be engaged and interested enough to proceed to the next step: registration.

The registration process to set up an Instructor webpage was simple.  Three easy steps and I had a classroom to manage.  Another observation noted was when I compared Edmodo to eCollege; Edmodo is clutter free.  The icons used in the website are easy to read and understand.  This is greatly appreciated.   

I also liked the fact that it resembled Facebook in some ways.  It was comforting to learn how to navigate within the system; my classroom webpage.  On the right side of the screen, I as a learner I viewed five large icons; with one looking familiar, Office Online…I clicked on the icon to learn what features would sync up to my Microsoft account.  I also liked exploring the various other featured icons, Planner and Snapshot, which stated that one could “discover how you can instantly assign Common Core-aligned quizzes to all of your Edmodo Groups.”

And, who doesn’t like to shop?  I do.  With the Store icon, one has the ability to shop for free apps.  I took interest in the professional development apps for instructors; when I have more time I’m going to explore more that are cost free.

How would I use this free course management system (CMS) to assist with teaching?  I am going to use the example I mentioned in my first blog post; I want to teach my young nephew how to type; I hope to follow through with the goal this summer (so I have a timeline set).  I thought that as he is asked to do more with technology in his academy/school, I want him to be prepared to research and type what he and his classmates have learned. 

If I am reading about pedagogy and learning theories correctly, I am processing that as a teacher (and in this case Sjeldon’s aunt), I have influence to control some things; such as the curriculum (lesson plans), how the he will be measured for success (grades), when things are to come due (use of the student planner), and how the lessons will be presented (various types of methods of engaging instruction).  And, after reading the post on affordances, even how the typing lessons will be presented in the virtual classroom.

Affordances:

As with most online instruction, I liked that the professor ask us, the students, to use discussion threads; and this week you, the instructor, made it really clear to me why discussion boards so useful.  You are correct that with this type of instructional tool, each student is given a fair chance at being ‘heard’, read.  This asynchronous form of instruction can be utilized in Edmodo very well, and I liked that it has good features needed for a CMS.

The use of other online tools can be used as well in Edmodo.  For example, when the instructor couples the Student Planner feature with a clear timeline of submitting assignments, engaged learning is taking place; thus positive reinforcement, a sense of completion, is embedded within the actual learning process.   

Pedagogy

As I was reading to refresh myself on ‘what pedagogy is’, I came across a great website that was so very helpful. It explains well what I have come to learn in this class, especially in reading the discussion boards, and the instructor’s comments.  If an instructor in Edmodo, I could foresee that preparation for teaching takes a lot of time, and the time would be well invested as the instructor needs to take their time learning about various learning styles and how their message of learning is going to communicated to the learner.

I know my learning is foundation and meaningful; I like to learn and then ‘stack thoughts’ or problems solving together.  My pedagogy in learning would promote learning that is deep rooted in human nature; maybe even compliment a student’s personal habits.  To use time wisely, I would keep in mind that I am student-centered, therefore, I would use Edmodo to explain what is needed and by what date; there would be no guessing game.  To make a particular lesson one of engagement, I would use YouTube apps that simulate a video game to teach levels of mastery.  This practice of an actual typing test would become a continuous learning process for the student.    

Another example of purposeful learning, is that each time a student reaches a level of measured success, the student could demonstrate his/her level of success by challenging another student to a typing duel. 

With any lesson to be learned, the instructor has to be cognizant that prior experience and knowledge are connected; and the student who comes into an Edmodo classroom must be ready to share what he/she knows; demonstrate how they too can ‘teach’ in the classroom.  Maybe, they are asked to create a typing lesson plan to share with the class.  In teaching ‘how to type’, the student could record a level of mastery (the speed and accuracy of typing) to other classmates, and then share the tips of how he/she has been able to master that particular level of typing.  This could be done by creating a video of how fast they accurately type, and then the students can state in the video some basic tips to avoid error.  This type of student-to-student instruction can foster an Edmodo learning community; providing a sense of [learning] community within a classroom.  All this to say that the Edmodo instructor has validation that the students are engaged and learning and that the instructor learns more about the student individual style of learning, pace of learning, and how the learning is best taking place.