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Self-Assessment and Reflection - Does this make me an Evaluator?

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Based on the results of my self-assessment, on a scale from 1 to 6, with 6 being expert, I would place myself as a 4 as an evaluator at this time. I feel I have learned a lot throughout this course and gained great insight about evaluation, and its importance from working on the Final Evaluation Report. However, I do not feel confident enough to perform the tasks independently, and therefore, think I still have room to grow. I loved being able to work as a team, and I gained greater insight into evaluation and its practices, such as collecting and analyzing data. Based on the self-assessment, I think that I still have room to grow in Competency 1.2, applying the foundational documents adopted by the American Evaluation Association that ground evaluation practice. I think I would benefit from having more knowledge about these documents to strengthen my ability to advocate for evaluation and drive evaluation projects. I think I also have room to grow in Competency 2.9, using program logi...
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Evaluator Competencies Reflection

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I underestimated all that goes into the evaluation of learning systems. After diving deeper and expanding my knowledge, I have gained a comprehensive overview of evaluation and its importance in learning design. I have learned that evaluation plays a large role in learning design and technology, as its goal is to inform decision-making, aiding in determining the effectiveness of a program, product, process, system, or organization (Stevhan et al., 2005). Through this newfound knowledge, I still have a lot more to learn! Because of this, I would say I fall as a 3 on a scale of 1 to 6, with 6 being expert. As I took the self-assessment and reflected on the competencies and my skills, I think I viewed each competency far more simply than I should have. As I began to dig deeper into each, I learned that each competency is complex and has a specific purpose in guiding evaluator education. Overall, I am very pleased that these competencies exist and support the process of evaluation of learn...
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Let's fast forward to 2033... Online and Blended Learning

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   Online and blended learning in 2033 is exciting to think about! With experience as both an educator and student in both online and blended learning environments, I have been a witness to the changes, both good and bad, related to these spaces. As I have learned more about technology as a whole and emerging technologies, I think there will be great strides for technology advancement in 2033 in the educational space. I think micro and mobile learning will be a huge asset in people attaining microcredentials to further their skills and career opportunities. A microcredential allows for flexible and specific development of skills for learners. Flexibility is key today, and I think will remain ever-present in ten years, thus making microcredentials even more desirable.  Microcredentials allow for more consistent, lifelong learning opportunities as they do not require a strong commitment for learners whose needs are met through flexible opportunities. I also think microcrede...
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WOL: Defining Online and Blended Learning

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I view online and blended learning as a robust opportunity to meet the various needs of different learners while establishing rich user engagement by utilizing various multimedia resources. Overall, online learning can provide worthwhile learning opportunities. When I think of online learning, I see students in flexible spaces working through their education at a time that works best for their needs and schedule. Online learning looks like a person with a full-time job coming home in the evening and on weekends to build upon their goals and dreams in a time and place that is adequate to their current lifestyle and situation. Online learning looks like a person being able to travel while completing their studies, all without needing to put their life on pause to remain in one place to further their skills and education. Online learning looks like well-established and renowned professors being able to offer their teaching beyond the physical classroom, across states, pouring into the edu...
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U6: WOL Blog - I'm Reevaluating the Curve

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At the start of the semester, I viewed myself as an early adopter of technology. However, I do not think I fully recognized the work that goes into legitimizing the technology to make an impact on its adoption within a learning environment. I discovered that legitimation involves a thorough process of overcoming barriers for successful innovation (How to Establish Legitimacy for New Technologies, 2014). These barriers include cognitive barriers, which includes technical knowledge and industry analysis. This highlights the importance of researching the technology to ensure that it works. Initially, I felt confident in this area, conducting research on performance and uses for various emerging technologies. I think my knowledge on sociopolitical barriers has been further developed and my eyes have been opened to the necessary breakthroughs that are needed to occur. With sociopolitical barriers, I would need to understand the societal value and the cultural and political influence the tec...
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WOL: I'm On the Curve

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  On the Diffusion of Innovation Curve, I believe I fall as an early adopter. As an early adopter, I embrace change opportunities and enjoy leadership roles where I share new opportunities for change with those around me. I have many experiences where I fall as an early adopter throughout my career in education. For example, in the rapid switch to distance learning during the COVID pandemic, I was ready to take on the new mode of teaching and sought learning experiences to make an impact in bringing the change to my classroom right away with my third grade team. We collaboratively sought research of the new platforms we would be utilizing in distance learning and brought our findings together for best teaching practices. These new platforms included Lumio by SMART Technologies, Google Classroom, and FlipGrid (now Flip). Each of these platforms was utilized cohesively to positively impact learning in the virtual classroom. With a team of early adopters, I feel we brought a positive...
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My Definition of Learning/Instructional Design and Technology

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  My Definition of Learning/Instructional Design and Technology Learning design is the analysis of learners and learning targets coupled with the necessary development of instruction to meet needs and goals of learners (Wagner, 2011, p. 36). Technology plays a central role in learning design as it brings forth innovative solutions for learning (p. 35). With so many varying needs in a learning environment, the use of technology is essential for successful learning. Much of meeting the needs of learners involves creative planning for instruction, problem-solving, and intentional evaluation. Utilizing technology in learning design allows for new methods that are advanced and original, thus improving engagement and development of targeted skills. Analysis is an important keyword in my approach to learning design. In order to design learning, there should be knowledge of skills to be taught and how to teach them. Analysis in this definition includes a thorough interpretation of how lea...
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