Planning4Tech

Planning Session

The idea for this planning session came from a need for us to re-shape the training curriculum for the tools that we currently support. We have started this process with the development of training resources for blogs and wikis - focusing on the platforms, features and teaching applications and the "how to's". What we need now is a piece that focuses more broadly on the "why?" - basically the work of thinking about a learning environment (course) and identifying the learning goals, activities and approaches that the technology should support.

Our proposed goal for a training session:

For Faculty/Participants to leave with a strategy to evaluate any technology that they may want to use in their courses/learning environments.

Anticipated Outcomes?

We've talked a bit about the possibility of creating a framework to guide faculty (or others) in analyzing their learning environments. Here are a few initial thoughts - add yours?

Basic guides for helping faculty map out perceived engagement in relation to course activities and goals.
Models/frameworks that acknowledge course learning as a chunk on a longer continuum.
Attention paid to instructor’s own goals/level of engagement (are you bored? going through the motions? excited by something? eager to explore? etc)
Identify the overarching goal you have for learners in your course. Most important thing.

Is it realistic to come out of our day together with a loose plan for a 2 hour session and a planning framework for participants (based on work that has already been done - see Existing Frameworks)?

Existing Frameworks

There must be others, but here are a few to start with... (add yours?)

Bates and Poole SECTIONS model:

SECTIONS Model brief overview

Using the SECTIONS Framework to Evaluate Flash Media

Indicators of Engaged Learning

Evaluating Tech based curriculum materials using indicators of engaged learning

Meaningful, Engaged Learning

If I have time, I might take on the SECTIONS model and see if I can come up with a draft framework for us to discuss.

Here are a couple of things I have been working on:

Here's the edited SECTIONS Framework doc (with Brian's feedback):

File:SECTIONS framework for assessment-draft3-.pdf

How about this idea for the non-faculty participants?

File:Tech Implementation plan.pdf

Possible Activities

Here's the Peer Assist video we were talking about.

Planning Day Agenda

We have a room booked in the Boardroom Liu Centre from 9-4 on Nov. 6th.

Ideas here about how you'd like to spend the day (given anticipated outcomes).

Morning:

look at the Frameworks - discuss and work out how we might develop to suit our purposes.

Afternoon:

identify the main section headings for tool descriptions that might accompany this session.
map out a sketch of the session
identify possible activities

DRAFT Workshop Agenda using the RAPA Method

RAPA Process

Working Title: From Reflection to Action: Planning for Teaching with Technology

Time: 2 hr session

Audience: Educational Technologists, Designers, Instructors, technology and library support staff Session Breakdown:

1. Reflect - 1. on your overall goal(s) for the course 2. on a teaching issue/challenge you have identified. What resources do we need to support this? Specific learning activity - leading questions?
2. Analyze the Problem - possible Peer Assist exercise - brainstorm possible strategies to address these problem/challenge you have identified; questions related to the problem: what do learners know - what do you want them to know - identify the gap between; what learning activities/approaches might help you address this gap; brainstorm the resources/tools to support What resources do we need to support this? Small group facilitators: Specific questions to draw out deeper exploration of the specific teaching challenge? What does the problem look like? How will you know when learning you want to see is happening?
3. Plan - select an example tech tool to evaluate (based on what you think might best support your goals); use your identified goals and teaching challenges as a case study; use the SECTIONS Framework to evaluate the tool
4. Action - What are your next steps? -

________________________________________________________

1. Session Overview
2. Introductions
3. Who are you?
4. Learning Objectives
5. Introduce the RAPA Concept
6. Guided Reflection Activity #1
7. Analyze Activity #2 - Group Brainstorm about the Challenge
8. Plan: Intro SECTIONS framework model + giving examples of tool(s) and how to use framework with a specific case study
9. Plan using Tool Evaluation worksheet (SECTIONS)
10. Determine next course of Action (consider resources, list goals for next few months).