Technology
Technology
In this program, I had the opportunity to learn about a variety of apps and websites to use both from my professors and classmates. I also improved my skills in what I already knew before starting the program. I utilized these tech tools for my various course projects that could be viewed under coursework sections on this website and also for the ESL courses I teach at my school site.
My Method for Learning New Technologies
I get excited when I hear a new tool or app that I can utilize in my teaching and coursework! My approach to learning new technologies is simple;
- Ask others about their experience and the contexts they use that technology
- Gather relevant resources online (tutorial videos, instructional files, etc.)
- Take it simple, learn in bite-sized pieces
- Keep calm and teach yourself the basics
- Move to to the next step after you master the basics
- PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
- Share with others who might benefit from it
Tech Tools I Can Use Comfortably
Google Classroom
Google Apps for Education
Screencast-O-Matic
Adobe Spark
Screencastify
Kahoot
Quizlet
Smartboard
Zoom
Google Meet
Basic coding with HTML
Tech Trends and Tools I'd Like to Explore More
I would like to explore the trends below as I believe there is a great potential in them for teaching ESL especially in the time of distance learning;
- Immersive Learning (AR/VR, simulations)
- Gamification for ESL
- Digital Whiteboarding
This is the next tool I would like to learn as I see great samples instructional designers create using it, and I think it's one of the items that should be in an instructional designers toolkit;
- Adobe Creative Cloud applications
Instructional Materials & Assessments I Created for the ESL Department at My School (ETEC 692)
More materials will be added as this project is still ongoing and planned to be completed in Fall 2020.
Census Presentation.pptxCensus 2020 instructional materials for ESL teachers at ICEC
Census 2020 Assessment for High Intermediate & Advanced ESL students
"How to Submit Assignments on Google Classroom" tutorial for students at ICEC
E-Learning
Elective e-learning courses I took;
ETEC 674 E-Learning Technology and Methods
ETEC 501 Foundations of E-Learning
ETEC 541 E-Learning Design and Development (group project in progress)
Some of My Take-Away Concepts from E-Learning Classes
Media Choice: Learners should be presented with multiple means of media since every learner is different. If a course design takes different learning preferences into consideration, it will be more effective in engaging the student with the content.
Accessibility and Universal Design: Making sure that the course can answer different learning needs is an important aspect. Students with physical disabilities as well as learning disabilities have to be considered. Also, the course should be “accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability or disability”. I think that would also include learners coming from diverse cultural and language backgrounds.
Problem-Based Learning: Rather than the instructor directly presenting the content and mere lecturing, students should be presented with a problem related to the content and use their critical thinking skills individually and as a group to come up with solutions to that problem. Learning would be more practical and memorable that way.
Gamification: Having excitement and fun while learning is a great motivator for learners and it should be considered by instructional designers while developing eLearning modules. Games are great ways to ensure student engagement as long as they are appropriate for the learner types we have.
Alternative Assessments: Rather than giving traditional assessments like multiple choice tests and quizzes, online learners should be given alternative ways of showing their understanding such as collaborative projects, video presentations and storytelling, or case studies and discussions. Instead of only the instructor giving feedback to the learner, peer-review should also be encouraged.
E-Learning Coursework
A._Donmez_-_Final_Position_Paper.docx.pdfETEC 674 - Position Paper on Mobile Learning
teaching module project.pdfETEC 674 - Online Teaching Module Presentation
Donmez_ETEC501 - Position Paper.pdfETEC 501 - Position Paper on E-Learning in Higher Education
ETEC 541 - Group Project
An online learning module on CENSUS 2020 created on Blackboard
My Reflections on E-Learning
As simply defined by Horton (2006, p.1), "e-learning is the use of information and computer technologies to create learning experiences." Thanks to e-learning, I am able to pursue my goal of completing a master’s degree, which would be impossible otherwise considering work and family commitments. The world is going through a pandemic right now and the importance of e-learning is growing everywhere so rapidly. The e-learning courses I took in this program prepared me well for this situation and what is to come in the future, and I feel comfortable that I have a solid background information and understanding of what e-learning should really look like rather than just transferring the class materials into an online platform. E-learning is not just another way of teaching and doing what you would do in a face to face class. There is much more to it regarding teaching, cognitive, and social presences, and making a learning experience positive for all kinds of learners.
References
Horton, W. K. (2006). E-learning by design. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer.