eleven (week 2 POTCERT)

I scored 11 on the on the "Beginner's Questionnaire" that we took this week. This indicates that I fall in the middle of the scale that ranges from preferring student interactivity to favoring instructor presentation. This score doesn't surprise me since I prefer a mix of teaching methods when I participate in a class as a student as well. I believe the type of content that needs to be shared has a whole lot to do with the type of instruction that would be most beneficial. An obvious example: The best way to transfer American History knowledge might be via lecture while teaching a skill or technique such as how to use graphic design software might require more active student participation and hands-on learning. We've all been in classes where the professor lectures the entire time without even pausing for questions, let alone, discussion. Personally, I find this excrutiating, and I can't imagine how any professor ever arrives at the decision to use this as a primary teaching method, but I realize I'm not the expert on pedagogy. I digress.

I found the "Getting Started Chart" to be helpful in thinking about how I would most like to structure an online course. I had never even heard of. Moodle, so I spent a lot of time perusing the site and considering the possibilities this week. I hope to learn more about the platform as we go along in this course.

Clearly I prefer a combination of lecture and discussion/ group work, so I was already thinking in that direction when I attended a great seminar on our campus Tuesday. The Apple Learning Tour was fascinating. While I've been a big Apple fan and user for many years, I knew little about iBooks Author and iTunes U. The training in these areas was great, but what I enjoyed most about the day was the discussion among participants about "flipping the classroom." The instructor spent some time sharing information about the Digital First initiative, and we began to discuss ways an initiative like this could work on our campus. Really good ideas and dialogue happened, and I ate it up!

So what does flipping the classroom have to do with Week 2 in POTCERT? I don't know. But I'm fired up anyway.

Comments

[Jim Sullivan]

Thanks for sharing the links. I have been doing more and more classroom flipping, but am still far from where I wish to be!

[Claire Major]

Good post, Mandy! As you know, I too love the flipped classroom concept. I look forward to talking with you more about that!

[zhetao]

Apple Learning Tour and the flipped classroom... These are new to me, sounds very interesting and useful. I should do a search on them. Thanks for sharing!

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