2009 Fall ETC647

Your Post - Test survey is similar to your begining survey. It will be interesting to see the results from both surveys and make comparisions. Good Job!

Great observation...its a measure of what they have gained from the unit. E.g. are they responding to a question differently from the way they responded earlier?

Common Question I: Aligned Connectivism PrinciplesPlease 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.

1) Group participation in assignment #1 In the first assignment, students work in groups to accomplish the task of the informal portrait on location. Students take turns at all three positions within the group; collaboration among the participants utilizing the technology in the required ways is key to success. The finished output (assessment) using technology applications to assemble and organize products is the students objective in a connectivism way. Group critiques is implemented in the final presentation 2) Self- assessment on assignment #2 The second assignment takes the student in areas of technology few have experienced. Selecting and navigating advance options with digital photographic devices is the key component all the while they are working with a model to produce an original work of art. The self-assessment comes in the form of judging themselves and their work against their piers in an online network environment. Viewing and commenting on piers work gives the student information about their interpretation of the assignment and the requirements. Not only does the student judge themselves using technology delivery devices but they also realize portions that could have been considered to make the out come different 3) Group collaboration in assignment #3 Assignment #3 in this unit is designed for the group to collaborate using technology to connect their camera directly to their computer for tether shooting. This concept is difficult in the since that not every camera manufacturer is equal when completing this task. Much cognitive and collaborative energy must be performed to make this happen. Group problem solving and research is required to navigate the technology. In addition the assignment requires cooperation and a shared viewpoint to again, collaborate on artistic values and technical operations in the still life studio. Students produce original works of art working together but each takes the lead for their own slant on the theme. Assessmen

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

Taking traditional photography to 21 century teaching techniques is a challenge to say the least but the two have great merit. The two have had great changes thrust upon them in recent years due to technology, so it only makes sense that developing curriculums centered on technology would be logical. Having said this the actual design must be well considered. Sometimes I feel jumping to fast just to make it first out of the gate may not be wise. Don't get me wrong, I am gun-ho for implementing curriculum reform especially in the area of photography but I don't what to make changes to values that are just as strong now as they were 20 years ago when I started this business. In my Unit design, I feel strong and necessary changes have been made over the past year. Not just in this class but taking resources from other classes I have experienced through my graduate studies. Sure more improvements are necessary. I remember one statement from a video I saw earlier in the semester mentioned "Leadership involves constantly re-thinking." This is how I see teaching, constantly re-thinking or re-inventing the wheel to bring better meaning and continuity to the subject. My Unit is strong no doubt. Room for improvement, you bet. If I had one area to revisit (and I do), it would be in instructional strategies relating to the third assignment. I would like to have evidence of group research for the themes of the subject. I feel this is where the groups slipped a little. They did not have concrete ideas for subject and composition. Although some groups did, I believe the groups that failed here, learned from their failures and became better for it. Again, I think we as teachers may place too much emphasis on succeeding in the form of getting it right the first time and not enough from learning from failure. I may have the groups submit a proposal outlining their intent for the project before executing it.

Take a look at this video. It is excellent!

Hi, Great that you have incorporated a useful tool such as Google Groups, which allows for sharing of information and communication.