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Working with your PLG: What are your first impressions about working with one group for the course?
Working with your PLG: What are your first impressions about working with one group for the course?
I am optimistic that working with my PLG for the duration of the course will be constructive and a beneficial experience. Admittedly, I believe I feel this way because I have worked with all of my PLG group members in some way for other group assignments in previous classes. Further, I appreciate the consistency as it makes working together and understanding individual habits and strengths so much easier.
Reflecting on our transition to a fully online semester, how do you perceive the shift to digital platforms and tools for our learning experiences?
Reflecting on our transition to a fully online semester, how do you perceive the shift to digital platforms and tools for our learning experiences?
Although I am able to learn in both environments and have an understanding of the benefits that online learning can have, I personally prefer in-person learning. My inability to focus for extended periods of time along with COVID being a not-so-distant memory had me slightly nervous for this semester. Online environments work better for some students, however, I am grateful for the opportunity to experience various means of learning and I appreciate not needing to commute long distances to Oshawa. Additionally, the availability of collaborative tools such as Google Docs/slides, canva, and other online platforms makes this shift seamless and makes group work less stressful.
In terms of this week's content, how did your group make connections between your readings/viewings (feel free to share visuals of your work together)?
In terms of this week's content, how did your group make connections between your readings/viewings (feel free to share visuals of your work together)?
To begin, our group created a shared Google Drive folder with our completed group assignment contract and folders for each assignment.
Specific to this week's content, our group made connections using both a doc, as well as a mindmap. In the Google doc, each group member selected a reading and summarized key points. Afterward, we all came together and began to consolidate our information by dividing common themes into distinct headings to be used for the mindmap. Finally, we co-created a mindmap using a tool called "MindMeister" which allowed us to contribute simultaneously (see below).
Synthesizing the content and exploring connections to online learning: After learning about the foundations of distance learning, theories of adult learning, New Literacies, and Critical Digital Literacies, consider how these concepts relate to online learning. Using visual evidence from your PLG work, describe how you see how these concepts and background contexts collectively shape our understanding of online learning.
Synthesizing the content and exploring connections to online learning: After learning about the foundations of distance learning, theories of adult learning, New Literacies, and Critical Digital Literacies, consider how these concepts relate to online learning. Using visual evidence from your PLG work, describe how you see how these concepts and background contexts collectively shape our understanding of online learning.
The theories behind online learning are detailed and involve the careful consideration of various concepts. New literacies and critical digital literacies are foundational to online learning environments where learners will come in contact with a broad range of literacies (Blaschke, 2019). This is essential for promoting critical thinking, identifying misinformation, and adapting to ongoing technological changes. The ability to critically engage with digital content ensures that learners are not passive consumers of information but active participants in their learning (Blaschke, 2019). Further, theories of adult learning and learning in general assert that online learning environments benefit significantly from learner-centered pedagogies, which align with constructivist principles. These approaches prioritize the needs, experiences, and interests of learners, while also promoting active knowledge construction and collaboration (Blaschke, 2019). By offering flexible, personalized learning paths, online platforms can accommodate diverse learning styles and paces, fostering a more inclusive and effective educational experience. Finally, distance learning foundations highlight the influence of digital platforms on how information is presented and societal perspectives (Blaschke, 2019). Online learning environments help learners understand how digital tools shape the information they encounter and increase the opportunity for meaningful interaction. Together, this is what shaped our group's understanding of online learning.
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