I am embarking on a new frontier of personal learning and teaching after 28 years in the classroom and a PhD in Curriculum Theory & Implementation. I am definitely the “old dog” who is attempting to learn some “new tricks”.
The most important characteristics of effective online learning will be the ability for dialogical encounters. I believe in learning with and from others, so I feel compelled to use whatever strategies and technologies available to provide students with opportunities for interaction. I also feel that students need dialogical encounters with the material that is presented in a course, and I’m excited about the various ways that an online course can provide opportunities for these encounters.
One significant moment of learning related to teaching & learning in the past year has been the realization that context is key. I have always felt the importance of knowing my students and really understanding what each one needs to get out of a course. Being able to steer students towards meaningful content and provide a bridge between theory and practice (praxis) leads to deeper learning.
At this point, I don’t know what I don’t know. I know that learning to navigate and use the technology to maximize the effectiveness of the teaching & learning will require some time and effort, but hey, it’s never too late to learn a few new tricks!