Reflection on the Module

I would like to make my final official post, about my reflection on the module of Innovative Learning and Teaching. 

I came into the module expecting to learn new methods of teaching in traditional classroom, but I left the module learning much more - a whole new world of how teaching and learning can occur, with a concept that I quote to this day (the concept that stood out to me the most): connectivism. 

When we started the module with theories, I really enjoyed the theories that built upon what we had previously covered in other modules. We discussed programmed instruction, which was an interesting backstory behind teaching and learning. I was shocked and inspired that theories from several decades ago are still something that we have to consider and develop today. 

However, the most interesting and colorful discussion, was about connectivism. For me, it is more than just focusing on online tools being an integral part of learning, but also a whole new approach to teaching. During the course of the module, I was thinking about the implications of connectivism, allowing students to use the sea of knowledge that is available at the palm of their hand. 

My first thought, was about exams and how they are stressful. There is a large body of literature that suggests that exams are not an effective way of assessing students knowledge, since it only does that - assess knowledge, not skills. What I found intriguing, was trying to teach students HOW to use the internet to their advantage, the current state of the world where everyone is connected to each other via social media and their phones. Why should be focus on "traditional teaching", where the teacher shares some information, the students take notes, then they are assessed on that. I want students to be assessed on what they have learnt themselves, on the skills they have developed while studying, not on one large assessment that attempts to encompass everything. 

This notion, of innovating, resonates with me till this day. It an inspirational message to me, that there is so much more to learn in the sphere of teaching and learning, and I have yet to use the tools that I have learnt in this module. I have the skills and tools I need, alongside a deeper understanding of the factors to consider during the development of interesting and engaging materials. 

One challenge that needs to be addressed, is how to assess connectivism. This is something that I am exploring and thinking about quite often, since I am one of the Module Leaders of I, Citizen, a module that focuses on Critical Thinking and Problem Solving. I want to incorporate connectivism and its benefits into teaching, perhaps inspire other modules to follow this notion. 

Next, I want to discuss the practice our teacher of Innovating Learning and Teaching employed during the classes. I really enjoyed how each student had the opportunity to share online tools that they have used and explain it to the entire class. Our teacher also highlighted important information from the tools, and provided more insight into the tools, how they relate to theories and what they achieve. This blend of seeing the tool, exploring it on our own and then have it summarized and related by our teacher, supported my personal learning a lot. 

Our teacher was approachable and kind, sharing her personal experience in relation to theories, which always provides more insight and exemplification. I personally employ the same method of teaching during my classes, since it builds rapport and also provides examples that we can relate to the tool/activity. 

Overall, I can say that I enjoyed the module, the students working together and the tools we discussed. The pleasant teaching atmosphere that our teacher created also significantly helped me establish and get comfortable with Innovative Learning and Teaching practices. 

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