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Common Question I: Aligned Connectivism Principles Please discuss three most important strategies of NLE/PLE in your unit, identify what aligned Connectivism principle(s) are, and discuss the assessments you integrate. Remember NLE/PLE strategies are not your contents or "technologies," such as wiki, discussion board etc. It is the integrated soft technologies. If you don't remember Connectivism principles, please review our Lesson 1 readings. Hint: be sure to include four components of technology integrations: Content; Technology; Instructional Strategies; Assessment.

Content; Overall the content focuses on creating useful and aesthetically pleasing virtual learning objects. language skills will progress though naturalistic engagement in the project (a number of different forms of communication including brainstorming, programming and presenting using different thematically connected language skills). Considering the 2 leels of learning please see my notes on technology below. Technology; The project uses collaborative wiki technology as well as Second life which, being a persistent online world with the ability to embed traditional text based CMC far outweighs many other formats in terms of providing a large variety of interaction methods (see answer to question 2 above). Furthermore the lesson revolves around creating virtual learning object will will also be used by future generations of learners as well as the constructors themselves. Thus we have published student work which contributes to learning and the learning of future students. Instructional Strategies; More linked to socio-cognitivism than connectivism (sorry i still cannot base pedagogy on something which I dont feel has gained a theory level of backing. There is no empirical evidence for connectivism and basing pedagogy on it would only serve to potentially hurt learners). Again we have a group created learning object project here which contibute to learning in their creation and finished project , working on 2 levels. Assessment. Assessment is peer, self and instructor based with a rather heavy weighting to peer based opposed to most classes. Additionally there is an added macro level element of assessment in that future generations of students will also be interacting with and using current student Second Life virtual classroom object creations. This I feel ads a nice level as students' object will be around for the remainder of the class and long after they are gone thus inspiring them to do their best.

Common Question II: Weaknesses Please discuss three weaknesses of your unit. Please specific. Hint: focus on technology, instructional strategies, and assessments.

Overall I would say the weakness in my unit would be given the short amount of time students have to compete it (roughly 1 month) I am not 100% sure they will be able to do this. Naturally I would need to pilot it and be flexible. In terms of language learning, I use a more communicative exposure method. R. Jones publishes a lot on this in interaction research and my own research has found online game mediums to be more linguistically interactive than traditional CMC. Perhpahs my unit would benefit from some direct language instruction, however I would need to base this off of an initial needs assessment done by students undertaking the project.

If one month is too short, how much time do you think your students need?

As I said above , the lesson would need to be properly piloted first (as all lessons generally do). I would estimate no longer than 1.5 months though,

I too think that structured training should not hinder informal learning.

Common Question I: Aligned Connectivism Principles Please discuss three most important strategies of NLE/PLE in your unit, identify what aligned Connectivism principle(s) are, and discuss the assessments you integrate. Remember NLE/PLE strategies are not your contents or "technologies," such as wiki, discussion board etc. It is the integrated soft technologies. If you don't remember Connectivism principles, please review our Lesson 1 readings. Hint: be sure to include four components of technology integrations: Content; Technology; Instructional Strategies; Assessment.

The first connectivism principle that my Unit plan includes is the opportunity for learners, in this case, in-service teachers to connect with each other with ease using different software applications. More specifically, when they use wiki to collaborate contents is a good strategy to keep learners connected. Another strategy is that building online libraries, using Delicious for example, help learners share useful materials without having to buy books. Learners become actively engaged in social bookmarking process as distributed learning and they become socially networked via social network sites to connect to relevant human learning resources. Next, when they write their lesson plan and use World to visualize their ideas, it is a core principle of connectivism which emphasizes that "utilizing visualization to examine data, such as tag clouds or Wordle Arts" is produces the "ability to see connections between fields, ideas, and concepts." Finally, when learners review each other's lesson plan in groups, this allows them to make contributions to learning content and engage in collaborative and community learning activities for the first principle of connectivism sates: "Learning and knowledge rests in diversity of opinions."

Unit Presentation: I designed this 6-week unit plan to give in-service teachers more opportunities to diversify their lesson delivery and content strategies for a number of reasons. First, commercial materials are very scarce in many schools For example, in my own country there is a ratio of one book for 30 students. The unit also aims at strengthening collaboration between teachers and students for a better outcome. I have included multiple technologies( VoiceThread, Wiki, and Delicious) to allow for connectivism principles to be used throughout the whole six weeks that the training will last. The unit comprises three lessons, one leson for every two weeks, a training outline, and groups space. Lesson 1 is essentially focused on Introductions of students and orientation. During this first lesson all students are required the mandatory training for each tool to be used during the training. Reading and discussions start with Lesson 2. Lesson 3 concludes with a survey at the end of training to ensure that this kind of training is/isn't worthwhile in the future.

Common Question II: Weaknesses Please discuss three weaknesses of your unit. Please specific. Hint: focus on technology, instructional strategies, and assessments.

My Unit plan is hypothetical and as such may not be implemented in any context. However, it can fit in many teaching and learning situations. For me, the most challenging aspect in putting together this unit plan is to marry the objectives with strategies and link everything to connectivism principles. I am not sure I have married each goal with an appropriate strategy and this may constitute another handicap. Finally, the course format that I chose may pose difficulty for technology low-skill ability learners in Africa. After I submitted, I thought a hybrid format could solve the problem. Otherwise, everything looks fine for me although I cannot see my back...

Common Question I: Aligned Connectivism Principles Please discuss three most important strategies of NLE/PLE in your unit, identify what aligned Connectivism principle(s) are, and discuss the assessments you integrate. Remember NLE/PLE strategies are not your contents or "technologies," such as wiki, discussion board etc. It is the integrated soft technologies. If you don't remember Connectivism principles, please review our Lesson 1 readings. Hint: be sure to include four components of technology integrations: Content; Technology; Instructional Strategies; Assessment.

Common Question II: Weaknesses Please discuss three weaknesses of your unit. Please specific. Hint: focus on technology, instructional strategies, and assessments.

Common Question I: Aligned Connectivism Principles Please discuss three most important strategies of NLE/PLE in your unit, identify what aligned Connectivism principle(s) are, and discuss the assessments you integrate. Remember NLE/PLE strategies are not your contents or "technologies," such as wiki, discussion board etc. It is the integrated soft technologies. If you don't remember Connectivism principles, please review our Lesson 1 readings. Hint: be sure to include four components of technology integrations: Content; Technology; Instructional Strategies; Assessment.

|ulie, here's my peer review. Have a great holiday season. Content: Introduction explains Networked Learning Environments and does an excellent job of setting the foundation for the unit. When you state, "It is about the learning that takes place in a vibrant community of people and resources." it sets up the entire unit. The collaboration based learning supports connectivism concepts on several levels. For example, diversity of opinions, learning process of pulling together different Web 2.0 tools, identifying the relationships/connections between the tools, all relate to connectivisim. Good use of graphics and the embedding of YouTube video. It sets the example of using the various tools provided by Web2.0, and the multimedia helps keep the learners awake too. Technology: Wiki, Bloggers, Delicious, Facebook, iGoogle. An excellent diversity in tools showing the unit results in a sound PLE. Instructional Strategies: I tend to think the use of teamwork (collaboration in education) always results in a stronger solution than individual works. The unit is strong on collaboration and communication, including the reflection and sharing. Assessment: Not strong on assessment (I don't think any of us where) . The strongest assessment is from the peer reviews, informal and formal. What others think and share about our work is a great learning process. The unit has this in many locations. Unfortunately, it is difficult to measure and put on a rubric. The reflection goal is a great way for learner to realize how much they have learned - and what they have learned. In teaching computers for several years I have found the students get strength in self confidence if they know what they know. The reflection goal will do that, or rather it will have them do it for themselves (hey, another connectivism and constructivism concept!) Reflection: Great job of pulling together what this course ta

Hi Julie, I love your unit on Teacher Collaboration. It is well organized; your objectives, activities and assessment align well. I really enjoyed your flow charts and models and will refer to these again for my own learning. In addition I love the article about network learning, Thomas Jefferson's description of his dream of the Univ of Virginia as a collection of connected villages. For those of us who are visual, this is a perfect metaphor for network learning. Excellent! I will give you feedback on the 4 areas -- content, integrated tools, strategies and evaluation -- in a separate posting. All the Best, Betsy.

* Learning and knowledge rests in diversity of opinions. Process: Discussion, research, and group work. * Learning may reside in non-human appliances. Process: Computers, internet, Web 2.0 Tools. * Nurturing and maintaining connections is needed to facilitate continual learning. Process: Reflection blog, discussion forum, group work, exploring Web 2.0 tools. * Ability to see connections between fields, ideas, and concepts is a core skill. Process: Groups working together to create a Web 2.0 integrated lesson plan. Researching information on Web 2.0 tools and utilizing those tools. * Currency (accurate, up-to-date knowledge) is the intent of all connectivist learning activities. Process: Research conducted on Connectivism and network learning environments. Exploring current Web 2.0 tools for integration, collaboration, and communication. * Decision-making is itself a learning process. Choosing what to learn and the meaning of incoming information is seen through the lens of a shifting reality. While there is a right answer now, it may be wrong tomorrow due to alterations in the information climate affecting the decision. Process: Researching information on a new learning theory and new Web 2.0 tools. Choosing Web 2.0 tools for integration in a lesson plan.

Common Question II: Weaknesses Please discuss three weaknesses of your unit. Please specific. Hint: focus on technology, instructional strategies, and assessments.

I should have added more Web 2.0 tools. I didn't because the teachers tend to complain about spending any extra time on workshops. I wanted it to be more relaxed and not so much like a course. I didn't have a rubric for assessing all the elements involved in the webquest. I just made a generic format for each assignment.

* Learning and knowledge rests in diversity of opinions. Process: Discussion, research, and group work. * Learning may reside in non-human appliances. Process: Computers, internet, Web 2.0 Tools. * Nurturing and maintaining connections is needed to facilitate continual learning. Process: Reflection blog, discussion forum, group work, exploring Web 2.0 tools. * Ability to see connections between fields, ideas, and concepts is a core skill. Process: Groups working together to create a Web 2.0 integrated lesson plan. Researching information on Web 2.0 tools and utilizing those tools. * Currency (accurate, up-to-date knowledge) is the intent of all connectivist learning activities. Process: Research conducted on Connectivism and network learning environments. Exploring current Web 2.0 tools for integration, collaboration, and communication. * Decision-making is itself a learning process. Choosing what to learn and the meaning of incoming information is seen through the lens of a shifting reality. While there is a right answer now, it may be wrong tomorrow due to alterations in the information climate affecting the decision. Process: Researching information on a new learning theory and new Web 2.0 tools. Choosing Web 2.0 tools for integration in a lesson plan.

I should have added more Web 2.0 tools. I didn't because the teachers tend to complain about spending any extra time on workshops. I wanted it to be more relaxed and not so much like a course. I didn't have a rubric for assessing all the elements involved in the webquest. I just made a generic format for each assignment.

Common Question I: Aligned Connectivism Principles Please discuss three most important strategies of NLE/PLE in your unit, identify what aligned Connectivism principle(s) are, and discuss the assessments you integrate. Remember NLE/PLE strategies are not your contents or "technologies," such as wiki, discussion board etc. It is the integrated soft technologies. If you don't remember Connectivism principles, please review our Lesson 1 readings. Hint: be sure to include four components of technology integrations: Content; Technology; Instructional Strategies; Assessment.

My unit centers around Connectivism principles that include diversity of opinions, nurturing and maintaining connections, currency, and the importance of decision making. This is accomplished around three main strategies, which include group collaboration and discussion, independent research and sharing of resources, and implementation and use of web 2.0 technologies. Content is designed to create an environment for learners to share experiences, resources and best practice methods. Group discussion and sharing of resources allows for expansion of content and also supports the Connectivism priniples of the unit. A variety of technology is used to address objectives and principles. Class is delivered through a wiki, which based on evaluation done earlier this semester supports most connectivism principles. Also a variety of Web 2.0 technologies are used including Social Bookmarking to provide for resources as well as expand resources through student use. Assessment is done through peer evaluation as well as submission of products to instructor for instructor evaluation.

Matt It was a great pleasure going through your unit. The introduction and use of a consistent structure for all the lessons is great. The links and directions to activities and assignments is well though out and focused. The content is delivered such that connectivism theory forms a base which informs unit goal and objectives. The learners connect with one another, use platforms which afford them opportunity to connect and interact with resources in a connective nature. Wiki, diigo and facebook are the platforms that you have cleverly woven together to create a rich learning environment which is not only connective but also collaborative; a hallmark of constructivism. Assessment is both instructor and peer-to-peer. Great job!

Thank you for your comments Josh!

Common Question II: Weaknesses Please discuss three weaknesses of your unit. Please specific. Hint: focus on technology, instructional strategies, and assessments.

One weakness I think of the unit is in Lesson 2 where students create their own wiki. I think that this area might have been stronger had I included more examples of wikis to go from as well as a stronger explanation of wikis and their benefits rather than have the learners pull this information from outside sources. A second weakness comes out of this unit as well and that is on assessment. I think that the assignemnt would be easier to understand and to develop had I created a rubric with stronger guidelines for the learners to follow that would be the basis of my assessment. I always provide rubrics for my students ahead of time in my classes and I don't know why I didn't think to add one here. It would go a long way in clarifying the assignment and providing a guideline from which to work with. Finally, I feel the facebook lesson is a little weak in terms of how I want the students to be involved and interacted. I had this really good idea in my head on how I wanted it to look. Almost like an alternate support site for the unit that is overseen and run by the learners. For some reason I had a difficult time translating that from my idea to my lesson. This is an area where I would spend sometime reassessing how I organize and present, before implementing the lesson in the future.