Background

The very first course I designed at my school was a beginning Digital Literacy class almost two years ago. Last year, while studying how to create more significant learning environments, I was able to revisit my original outline and take a deeper look at the design of the course overview and units of study. I came away with a much deeper understanding of how to develop learning outcomes, learning activities, and assessment activities from a course overview perspective using a 3-column table. From there, using a backward design approach (UbD), I was able to create much more detailed unit plans that identified the desired results, determined acceptable evidence, and laid out clear learning experiences and instruction goals. 

Identify the Learners

​It will be interesting to see how I can adapt this course on learning computer and software basics to a Learning Management System (LMS) where it is almost assumed that students already have these skills. The students that will be enrolled in this class will mostly be new students or students identified as low-level by their teachers or counselor. My hope is to make Digital Literacy a requirement for all students, however we don't currently have the resources or space to do so. I think that by creating it as an online course we will be able to deliver it more easily to more sites without the need for more teachers.  

What's Your Style?

I like to think that I am an available resource for students, that I am more facilitator and less instructor—I try and stay flexible with how I deliver my content. I used to think that direct instruction followed by hands-on activities was the best approach. Now I know that there are many approaches and that the best one is the one that fits the situation and creates a more significant learning environment at that moment. I recently took one of those silly online quizzes that promised to help me find out my teaching style— it identified me as a Delegator.  Here's what they told me:
Delegators place teaching and learning in the hands of students. As a delegator, you think about how students can help one another share knowledge about various concepts and subject matter. The delegator style is best-suited for curriculum that requires lab activities, such as chemistry and biology, or subjects that warrant peer feedback, like debate and creative writing.
I actually think it's a pretty good definition for me! It's even more spot-on as I move from academic subjects into Career Technical Education (CTE) full-time where student collaboration is really encouraged and often required for success. This is also where my newly-discovered identity as a Constructivist educator comes more into focus. CTE is really about authentic learning opportunities and placing the learning back in the students' hands is key to making that happen. My curriculum consists of real-world activities, based online, that will help our learners create those authentic learning experiences and develop valuable knowledge that is transferrable. I believe a Constructivist-Delegator perspective will be beneficial to our efforts as a team to grow our CTE department and the courses as they are designed and implemented both online and onsite.
L: “Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism & Learning and Instructional Theory.” YouTube, YouTube, 17 June 2010, youtu.be/0YOqgXjynd0.
R: “LearningHood. “Blended Learning in Plain English - LOUDER.” YouTube, YouTube, 25 Apr. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzVeA0hP_Tg.

Experience

I’ve never taught an online course before but I have dabbled with a blended environment. However, I have years of experience as an online student which I think will be helpful in developing my courses. I've also had some experience delivering presentations and professional development using an LMS or video conferencing tools like Skype or Zoom. The content and the technology will not be an issue; my biggest challenges will be with the comfort level of the students and how quickly they can learn the systems. I'm also making sure that our staff is up to speed as we will be looking to expand our online offerings beyond the courses that I am personally designing.  
Picture
Design by Jerry Yamashita

References

Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism & Learning and Instructional Theory.” YouTube, YouTube, 17 June 2010, youtu.be/0YOqgXjynd0.
“LearningHood. “Blended Learning in Plain English - LOUDER.” YouTube, YouTube, 25 Apr. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzVeA0hP_Tg.
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