1. Chapter 18 discusses instructional design in business and industry. Give an example of rapid prototyping and discuss how this could be used in education.
Rapid prototyping refers to a class of technologies that can automatically construct physical models from computer aided design (CAD) data. An example of rapid prototyping in education would be the use of 3-D computers for engineering students. The 3-D printers allow students to make quick physical copies of things they have designed on computers. 3-D printers stimulate a student’s mechanical spatial awareness in ways textbooks cannot. With 3D printers students can do much more than draw a part. They can evaluate it, refine it and assess how it fits in a larger assembly and hand it to people. The 3-D printer is an excellent recruiting tool for getting students excited about engineering. The use of 3-D printing technology in education is growing quickly because educators at all levels can see how the technology helps students to learn in very real, visual, and tangible ways. Rapid prototyping exists when companies or, or educators create a prototype, or working model to educate learners and to sample new experiences.
2. Chapter 19 discusses instructional design opportunities in military education and training environments. I had the opportunity to work two summers in Orlando on a faculty fellowship in the advanced distributed learning lab (ADL) discussed in the book and saw firsthand some of the constraints placed on some of the tools that could be used for learning. Pretend you are hired as a consultant for the military. They want to use technology in its training, but electronic access is not always available using the full spectrum diagram, what alternatives could you suggest for a successful program?
Success in full spectrum operations requires several things: resourcefulness, knowing the enemy, determination, and leadership. From a training perspective the major challenge is to infuse all of these attributes into military leaders. Full spectrum training occurs throughout the military process from basic training to deployment in the field. It is imperative that soldiers be trained and prepared for any given situation. The marines have a portable electronic machine which can be taken into the field. It is called a deployable learning resource center. It is a kind of minicomputer. It consists of a server, network switch, printer and laptop stations. It is wireless and has a rechargeable battery which allows soldiers to take it with them anywhere in the world. This device allows soldiers to stay abreast of new trainings and information while they are out in the field.
3. Chapter 21 looks at radical education change in P-12 settings. I visited the Chugach School District in Alaska and know Richard DeLorenzo very well. I can assure you that this change can occur in our schools. Review the Step-Up-To-Excellence methodology and the GSTE. Outline a staff development activity that will introduce both methodologies to your colleagues.
I would start off by showing a video for each methodology. I would divide teachers into small groups andthen have teachers to participate in several hands on activities as, students learn better by engaging in active participation. For the GSTE , I would give each group a set of 4 index cards with one of the 4 phases written on each. I would give them aother set of cards and each card would have an event listed on a card. The teachers would be asked to place each of the events under the correct phase. For the Step-Up-To-Excellence methodology, I would have students engage in a similiar activity. I would give them each a packet of cards with one of the five steps to excellence written on each card.Each person in the group would slct a card and be required to eplain that particular phase to the rest of the group and give an example of how this phase would best be achieved.
4. Navigating through the ranks of a faculty member in higher education can be tricky. A good institution has support for its faculty and provides faculty development opportunities to grow and learn. Research three different university offices for faculty development. Answer the following questions for each office:
University of North Texas
What are the different names used for faculty development?
Staff Development
What division is it under?
Human Resources
What services does it offer?
Professional and Personal Development trainings
How often are programs given and what specifically are they?
Trainings are scheduled as needed, usually for the purpose of implementing new concepts.
Ohio State University
What are the different names used for faculty development?
University Center of the Advancement of Teaching
What division is it under?
Office of Academic Affairs
What services does it offer?
Online teaching resources
Professional development consultants
Faculty Library
How often are programs given and what specifically are they?
Programs are offered as needed but are set up as Fall and Spring courses. The courses are geared toward implementing new concepts and ideas to educators.
Spring courses include:
How Learning Works
Teaching Two Courses in One
Spring Course Design Institute
Online At-Risk Simulation Training
Texas Woman’s University
What are the different names used for faculty development?
Office of Institutional Development
What division is it under?
Office of Academic Affairs
What services does it offer?
Online Course Development, Motivational Award Presentations, Grants Management, guest bloggers
How often are programs given and what specifically are they?
Programs offered in Fall and Spring, some of the Spring offerings include:
E-learning lecture
New Graduate Assistant Orientation
Online Educator Symposium
Adjunct/GA Training
To me, this is one of the primary benefits of prototyping use in all fields including education "They can evaluate it, refine it and assess how it fits in a larger assembly" Well done!
ReplyDeleteI see that you included more than one type of medium/learning experience for participants in the staff development session you describe. This is always a plus in order to meet the learning needs of different participants.