Seminar 3 Reflections - INFORMATION OVERLOAD!

1. How did we build our seminar plan and communicate with each other?
We communicated through Skype (phone and chat), Google docs and email.
Our step-by-step seminar plan went as follows:
Step 1: Skype chat to discuss initial ideas
Step 2: Google Doc brainstorm
Step 3: Formation of seminar outline
Step 4: Task division
Step 5: Individual research and slide creating/Moodle building
Step 6: Skype Chat to discuss seminar
Step 7: Discussion with Kim
Step 8: Revision of seminar
Step 9: Synchronous implementation
Step 10: Monitoring comments on Moodle
Step 11: Course completion badges
Step 12: Seminar reflection

What went well?

Everyone brought different ideas and skills to the team

People were available to chat/respond to group questions and suggestions

What could have been improved?

Dividing up the tasks - we could have had designations for who was responding to
what section in Moodle

Communicating with specific people (ie. if a task was accidently missed)

1.

Demonstrate basic competency with design and implementation within a variety

of online learning environments and tools

2.

Utilized moodle to design our course and utilized tools to help organize

Used several 2.0 tools within the moodle LMS such as forums,
questionnaire and database

Plan learning opportunities most suitable to the strengths and challenges of a

variety of environments

3.

Used a variety of activities to reach multiple learning styles (synchronous

session, questionnaire, forums, blogs, surveys)

Develop and design intentional learning activities suitable for the appropriate
environment and the learner

Chose activities that related to overload, provided ways to prevent

overload, asked to reflect on what caused them on overload and what
works
4. Select strategies and resources appropriate for environment, learners and learning
outcomes

5.

Design inclusive learning environments

6.

Asked students to comment on peer reflections to encourage peer to peer

communication

Share engagement strategies and tips

7.

Learning activities were relevant to learners course outcomes and were

useful as part of the reflection process and became a part of their
eportfolios for future reference

Tools such as Hootsuite and Skype offered opportunities for students to

engage and communicate more effectively within an online environment.

Undertake engagement with environments through online facilitation for effective

learning

Lead synchronous session, used message system to interact with students,

responded to posts and forums, available on skype
8. Moderation and mediation

9.

Understand how to build rapport and manage groups

10.

Through comments on blogs, forums and messages to students

Managed groups by: communicating through group emails, providing

stepwise instructions, using badges as incentive, and being present on
Skype; built rapport through whiteboard activity, collaborative discussion
on the moodle, and through feedback and reflection

Engage in building learning communities and communities of practice

Through the discussion forums students can interact with each other and
provide opinions or share their experiences with some of the tools that
were requested of them to investigate. Also, the database with links back
to theirs blogs within their e-portfolios creates an atmosphere where
students can personally relate to others when taken to each others
website. They can explore other information about the students in their
course and connect on more of a personal level with them if they choose to
interact.

4. Did we explore the topic effectively and bring a deeper understanding? How?

We introduced the topic of information overload

We provided an opportunity for people to share what was overloading them in

both the synchronous and asynchronous sessions

We asked critical thinking questions

We provided solutions, advice and tools

5. Did we establish an environment conducive to online communication? How?

We created a place for discussions, tips, advice, and were available on skype to
answer questions

6. Were the learners supported in their communication and engaged with throughout the
seminar week?
The learners felt supported in that all of their comments and posts were responded
to in a timely manner

They were engaged throughout the week by putting the suggested tool into
practice

Messages were sent out to welcome students and to encourage them to finish their
assignments

7. Were innovative approaches used in presentation of seminar instruction?

Moodle was new to the group and easy to follow

We had a guest speaker during synchronous time