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AECT Standard 3.2 - Using

"Candidates make professionally sound decisions in selecting appropriate processes and resources to provide optimal conditions for learning based on principles, theories, and effective practices." (AECT, 2012)

Artifact 14 - Blendspace
Description

This artifact was created in the Spring of 2019 for GDIT 706 - Creating Learning Environments Using IT course with Dr. David Carbonara. We were asked to create a lesson on a content of our choice using Blendspace platform. 

Reflection


In this artifact, I created an asynchronous lesson using Blendspace. The lesson was about developing the understanding or concept of information and communications technology (ICT) and its application in the educational context for bachelor’s students in education. The students were undergraduates, so I used teaching strategies suitable to them. I started the lesson by introducing the objectives, and I provided a warm-up test to activate prior knowledge. Next, I explained the meaning of ICT and its application in the educational context using a variety of media including videos, presentations, and online articles to address different learning styles. Finally, I administered a quiz so that students could evaluate their comprehension.

This work provided a great opportunity for me to explore the potential of Blendspace in teaching lessons in a professional way to create flexible and diverse learning environments. It is a free tool, easy to use, and students can easily access the learning materials. Using Blendspace helped me create a shareable lesson in which I could sync documents, videos, and other materials in one easily managed and organized space. Furthermore, the lesson is accessible by computer or other electronic devices. Thus, students can learn asynchronously anywhere, on their own schedule. Taking a quiz through Blendspace also provides an opportunity to receive immediate feedback, potentially resulting in more engagement in the learning.

Description

This artifact was created in the Fall of 2018  for Dr. Joseph Kush’s GDIT 715 - Instructional Learning Theory, course. We were asked to create an interactive PowerPoint to teach a topic of our choice. The lesson was designed for 4th and 5th Grade, and it was about the solar system. It can help students to identify the planets, stars, galaxies, meteors, and comets in the solar system. Click here to download the interactive PowerPoint file and enjoy the interactive learning material!

Reflection

 In designing the interactive PowerPoint, I applied multimedia principles (Mayer, 2014) to create an efficient interactive PowerPoint. I have used visuals, arrows, and color codes in each slide to facilitate learning of the content. I used also hyperlinks to help students navigate easily between the contents of each slide, to reduce the amount of time spent in the learning process, and to eliminate the cognitive load required for processing the material. The interactive PowerPoint also included a quiz at the end of the lesson with immediate feedback so that students were able to evaluate their own comprehension.

This work was a great opportunity for me to explore the potential of PowerPoint for teaching lessons in a professional way. The interactive PowerPoint is also great for self-learning and self-navigation, which can maximize student engagement. This work helped me expand my ability to design and create instructional materials using research-based principles and theories.

References

Mayer, R. (2014). Principles based on social cues in multimedia learning: Personalization, voice, image, and embodiment principles. In R. E. Mayer (Ed.) The Cambridge handbook of multimedia learning, (pp. 345–368). Cambridge University Press.

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