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//Fall 2008 - Spring 2011//
**A puzzle…a problem that tests the ingenuity of the solver ~ Wikipedia **

//[|www.wordle.net]//

v How have the pieces of my Graduate Study puzzle fit together? Connectivism v What did I learn about the puzzle? ~ Epistemology v Is there only one way to solve a puzzle? ~ Perspective v What if I need help to solve a puzzle? ~ Networking v Which puzzles should I try to solve? ~ Balance v How did I solve the puzzles along the way? ~ Perseverance

=ECUR 991 Scholarship in Teaching Reflections=


 * Instructor**: Tim Molnar

= Distance Learning = The Educational Communications and Technology online degree program provided me with the opportunity to complete my Masters of Education. Without the online options I would not have been able to complete these courses. The distance learning courses allowed me to continue to work full time as a Learning Consultant in Sun West School Division and with less disruption to my family’s schedule than if I had to travel to Saskatoon to attend face to face courses.

I was so excited that I was able to access course materials online. The fact that I was able to download course materials, video lectures and handouts to my computer and ipod was tremendously valuable. This allowed me the freedom to schedule my own learning experiences. I could study and watch my girls skate at the same time.

= Epistemology = Learning is about developing deeper understanding, making more meaningful connections and clarifying details from a variety of perspectives. As understanding increases more explicit vocabulary is required to explain these details. Graduate Studies is an exploration of details, perspectives and meaning making which requires increased vocabulary to describe this gained understanding.

I was not familiar with the word Epistemology before I started graduate studies. This new word represents all the new vocabulary I have explored and tried to understand. This word reminds me that many ideas are not always straight forward and that we need to continue to fine tune our definitions of words as our understanding develops. The simple definition of Epistemology “a way of knowing” is really only the beginning of a much larger understanding that I, as an educator, will always continue to explore and define.

Note: A [|www.wordle.net] image has been included on each course link to highlight some of the most important ideas that were explored in each of the corresponding graduate courses.

= Networking = Participating in online courses was an exciting new experience for me. I recall immediately thinking that even though we were not meeting face to face that I was making more meaningful connections with fellow classmates than I ever had the opportunity to do, sitting in my face to face undergraduate classroom over twenty years earlier. Online discussion forums change the way we network. These forums provide participants with an opportunity to respond to or receive feedback from all course participants. Conversations are not cut short by the bell. The fact that the conversation may be ongoing gives you the opportunity to reflect on the discussion, use ideas in everyday practice and share experiences with the group.

As I reflect on my learning it is interesting to note that many of the online conversations I participated in have been stored in my long term memory. I remember many of these conversations even before I remember the content of the course. This experience validates the constructivism theory by indicating that we make meaning and learn in group situations. I was not convinced that this was true prior to these learning experiences.

Graduate studies have allowed me to experience networking at a different level. The experience has increased my confidence so that I am participating in online networking environments that I was hesitant to participate in before. I am also trying to provide the teachers I work with opportunities to get connected.

= Connectivism = The more detailed study of behaviourism, situated, cognitivism, and constructivism that I experienced at the graduate level was very valuable but the discussion of a new learning theory called connectivism has huge implications for how we may need to think about our classroom learning environments. The internet and its network capabilities have provided the means for people to get connected in ways that were not previously possible. Virtual learning communities are connecting people from across the world in a variety of formal and informal ways. I have made many connections during the last few years in Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Skype and Second Life.

<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook','serif'; text-indent: 0.5in;">The concept of connectivism has the potential to change how we structure curriculum, instruction and assessment for all learners. This is an area of study that will need to be explored and developed further.

= Perspective = <span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook','serif'; text-indent: 0.5in;">Another key learning that developed for me as a result of participating in these graduate courses is the awareness of the variety of perspectives that people have on any given concept. As an educator, I have always been aware that each learner brings different experiences to the learning situation and that this has the potential to affect how or what they learn. Graduate studies provided me with more opportunities to learn about the different perspectives that people have and how these perspectives influence their choices and their learning.

<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook','serif'; text-indent: 0.5in;">The online discussion forums highlighted the varied experiences and perspectives that different people have. Gaining this increased awareness can only provide me with more insight when planning instructional strategies to use with diverse learning groups.

<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook','serif'; text-indent: 0.5in;">I found it very valuable to regain the perspective of a student. In my role as a learning consultant for our school division I have been focusing on developing the concept of assessment for learning with teachers. The assessment for learning philosophy has represented a philosophical shift in our thinking about classroom assessment and has been challenging to implement. I appreciated experiencing assessment for learning from the perspective of a student. Through experience with graduate study courses I can say first hand that there are several assessment for learning practices that have a positive effect on student learning. I thought it was invaluable when professors: · <span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook','serif';">Clearly outlined the target learning goals for the course · <span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook','serif';">Outlined criteria for success using rubrics and provided you with the rubric at the beginning of the instructional time. · <span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook','serif';">Shared example term papers, projects, proposals etc. · <span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook','serif';">Outlined course expectations and timelines · <span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook','serif';">Provided feedback before assessing final products

= Perseverance = <span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook','serif';">“We can do anything we want to do if we stick to it long enough” ~ Helen Keller

<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook','serif'; text-indent: 0.5in;">It is about grit! I believe that if you work hard and stick to something that you will be successful. This philosophy is true for most puzzles that you try to solve and it is definitely true for my graduate study experience. Dedication and hard work always involves some sacrifices but with perseverance you can be successful.

= Balance = <span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook','serif'; text-indent: 0.25in;">It is always my personal goal to make better decisions so that I can find more time for family, personal interests, relaxation and fun. My biggest concern when I started graduate studies was how I would balance family, work and studying. Although I have been successful in completing my course requirements sometimes the balance was a little off. I appreciate the sacrifices my family made to support me when I was completing course work. If I have established within my children a sense of the importance of perseverance then balance will be restored.

=<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook','serif'; text-indent: 0.25in;">Presentation =

<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook',serif; line-height: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; text-indent: 0.25in;"> **//<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook','serif';">“Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s the great puzzle” //** //<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook','serif';">~ Lewis Carroll from Alice in Wonderland //  **Balance Puzzle Solution**