Just in Time...too late!

I got a kick out of tonight's article. We are finally on the home stretch for the whole design project thing and today we read an article about how to cut corners! Actually, I do see the rationale for doing Just in Time Design. I am glad we are learning the entire process though, without cutting corners, because these are valuable tools that we will need. I think I need to practice this many more times before I have it down, however. Then maybe someday when I feel like an expert, I will feel comfortable in finding ways to slim down process.
Something else I have been thinking about. I noticed at the beginning of chapter 9 that the authors encourage our first design project to be self-paced or self-taught. I know Dr. Monson mentioned that a few weeks ago, but by then it was too late for our project. Looking back on our project, I wonder how it would be put together if it were computer based instead of instructor led. I can see that you would need to rely more heavily on learning theories and sound design instead of relying more heavily on the instructor. Oh, well. I'm sure there will be many more opportunities to come!

Computers in the Schools

I found this week's reading very eye opening. I do not have an education background so I probably see things a bit differently than those who do. Computers in the schools? Why, of course! This article, along with the Clark/Kozma debate is really helping me see that technology is not always the answer. I would never have thought, though, that computers in the school could be detrimental. I happen to work in a school so I know that kids are really excited when it's time to go to "computers". I wonder though, why are they so excited? Is it all the wonderful things they will be learning? Or could it possibly be the games they'll play or just the time out of the classroom? My observation of kids on computers doing research is that they surf the web a lot and never really hunker down and read anything! They are skipping from page to page! My sixth grade son is in a 21st century classroom where they all have laptops, the teacher has the document reader, smartboard, microphone, etc. Today I asked him if having a laptop has helped him in the classroom. "Yes", he replied. But when I pressed him for reasons why, he really couldn't come up with any. "They help us type better, I guess." he finally said.
Not having an education background and being in this field does help me see how education technologists may not always have learning theories and such in mind when promoting their wares. They just want teachers to use their stuff.
I also think it's true that teachers don't have the time to really evaluate website, software, etc. I'm not a teacher and I am overwhelmed with all the stuff out there! Where do you begin and how do you determine what websites are worthwhile? A non-profit group to evaluate what is available sounds like a good idea to me!

Are you attracted to warm or cool?

In getting ready for our group's presentation I learned a lot about visuals that I didn't know before. The same design principles that exist for Instructional Design exist for art, advertising, web page design, poster boards, written documents, etc. I had a great time going through my pantry finding all the different items that use complementary colors on the front of the box. Both Golden Graham and Cheerios use purple and yellow as their main colors. They are direct opposites on the color wheel! Yellow is the main color because it exudes excitement! Buy me. I remember years ago I bought some baby bath for my colicky baby. I chose the Johnson's brand in the lavender bottle because it claimed to soothe fussy babies and better prepare them for bedtime. My baby was still fussy but I was sucked in by those cool, calming colors on the packaging!

Media or Method?

This past week we had a great debate on media or method. Clark doesn't believe that media has any influence on learning. While I agree that the correct method must be chosen and then delivered with the proper medium, (whether it be instructor, video, or audio, etc.) I think Clark needs to at least admit that media does influence learning. I think the proper media can enhance, make easier, make more meaningful, make more memorable or otherwise influence learning. Maybe media doesn't carry with it its own learning theory, but it does have an impact on learning. Can't you give Kozma at least that? I think of the napkin folding exercise that we did in class. We all learned to make a paper flower but those of us with video instruction did so faster than those with text only. While reading the articles about this, I sometimes got the feeling that those two just wanted to argue and be right! Technology exists and it's pretty cool. Used properly, by pairing it with a great method, learning does occur.