Synthesize Knowledge
- Demonstrates ability to read and understand educational literature related to Educational Technology
- Demonstrates ability to describe fundamental theories of human learning
- Applies knowledge of human learning, diversity, and effective pedagogy to solution of problems
“Advancing Blended Learning in K-12 Education” is a paper I wrote
researching the evolution of blended learning in K-12 education compared to
higher education and the business industry. From my research it was discovered that K-12 education is starting to utilize
blending learning and its challenges compared to the higher education and
business markets who have been utilizing this method for trainings for longer periods of time.
Also I found while compiling the research for this paper, K-12 education
does not fully expand blended learning beyond the walls of their school
building. Most K-12 education uses blended learning for credit recovery in the
high schools to help students get promoted to the next grade level or to
graduate. Furthermore, in my research, K-12 education utilizes the flipped classroom model to provide
students instruction in the home by means of a video or podcasts online and
completing the homework at the school building in whole and group work. It was
discovered by my research, K-12 education is in its infancy right now in evolving blended learning
and more research needs to be done on the balance of blended learning
outcomes environment and blended learning frameworks.
While compiling the research for my blended learning paper, I read many articles on blended learning in the different environments: corporate, educational, and business in order to compare the similarities and differences. It was interesting reading the extent of blended learning in each industry. The difficulty was in the lack of research and papers on blended learning in the K-12 environment thus supporting that more research needs to be done within that environment since the K-12 education is just starting to utilize blended learning.
Learning about behaviorism by reading and analyzing the book by Driscoll (2005), Psychology of Learning for Instruction, helped me understand the various human theories that can be applied when designing and delivering instruction to provide solutions. Creating the case study on behaviorism showed how to apply the theories in a corporate setting for a group of employees that needed to increase inbound and outbound sales calls to increase sales. Within the case study the employees were unaware of a quota for inbound and outbound calls, had lack of training, and utilized their "do not disturb" (DND) button frequently so they didn't have to converse with potential customers. The new sales manager of this company needed to change the behaviors of his employees to make it more beneficial for the company. In order for the behaviors to be changed the new manager: provided a 2% monetary increase to those that achieved their sales quota, incentives surveys were provided to gauge employee interests and provide effective reinforcements, and a sticker chart provided for employees who made phone call quotas. In addition, to eliminate the negative behaviors such as putting the phone on DND, the phone would beep on the employee's phone if any employee is on DND for over 2 minutes. A training schedule was created for all employees so the phones would be covered at all times and all employees would receive the new product information. Writing the case study reinforced the idea that theory can be applied to real-life situations to offer solutions to various problems. For example, negative behaviors can be eliminated, responses conditioned, and positive behaviors can be reinforced with rewards utilizing behaviorism techniques.
While compiling the research for my blended learning paper, I read many articles on blended learning in the different environments: corporate, educational, and business in order to compare the similarities and differences. It was interesting reading the extent of blended learning in each industry. The difficulty was in the lack of research and papers on blended learning in the K-12 environment thus supporting that more research needs to be done within that environment since the K-12 education is just starting to utilize blended learning.
Learning about behaviorism by reading and analyzing the book by Driscoll (2005), Psychology of Learning for Instruction, helped me understand the various human theories that can be applied when designing and delivering instruction to provide solutions. Creating the case study on behaviorism showed how to apply the theories in a corporate setting for a group of employees that needed to increase inbound and outbound sales calls to increase sales. Within the case study the employees were unaware of a quota for inbound and outbound calls, had lack of training, and utilized their "do not disturb" (DND) button frequently so they didn't have to converse with potential customers. The new sales manager of this company needed to change the behaviors of his employees to make it more beneficial for the company. In order for the behaviors to be changed the new manager: provided a 2% monetary increase to those that achieved their sales quota, incentives surveys were provided to gauge employee interests and provide effective reinforcements, and a sticker chart provided for employees who made phone call quotas. In addition, to eliminate the negative behaviors such as putting the phone on DND, the phone would beep on the employee's phone if any employee is on DND for over 2 minutes. A training schedule was created for all employees so the phones would be covered at all times and all employees would receive the new product information. Writing the case study reinforced the idea that theory can be applied to real-life situations to offer solutions to various problems. For example, negative behaviors can be eliminated, responses conditioned, and positive behaviors can be reinforced with rewards utilizing behaviorism techniques.
Creating a comparative organizer and studying those organizers posed by
colleagues helped for me to describe the various theories. Working with a
partner, a comparative organizer was created on John Dewey's Interactionalism
similar to other theories: Experiential, Constructivism, Progressive,
Reflective Thinking, and Cognitivist. It was interesting to compare the
similarities of Dewey's thinking to other theorists: Gardner, Bruner, Vygotsky,
and Piaget to view how learns learn best by going through problem solving processes
rather than "kill and drill" activities. Creating this organizer, helped me to describe and compare theories in detail. Prior to creating the
comparative organizer, I didn't realize how Dewey was similar to all of the
other theories such as experiential. Studying Dewey relates currently
to 21st Century Skills and Problem-Based Learning (PBL) or authentic learning
by having students choose their own technology or project to show how they have
completed the learning objectives for a unit.
Artifacts:
Advancing Blended Learning in K-12 Education
Case Study Behaviorism
Comparative Organizer Dewey-Interactional
References
Driscoll, M.P. (2005). Psychology of Learning for Instruction. (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Driscoll, M.P. (2005). Psychology of Learning for Instruction. (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.