Where am I after the 2/10 class.

We have spent the past two weeks digesting information on what are goals and objectives. After Saturdays class I was able to see that ADDIE : Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate was a common thread in course design no matter if you are using Fink,Bloom,Dick and Carey or who ever.

Using the concept of backward design: 1) Where do you want to be at the end of the course? What do you want the students to be able to do and know? 2) How do you know that the students have achieved the goals? This is where the objectives come into play. 3) last of all you have to ask 'How are you going to get the students to where the they can meet the objectives. What activities and resources can you develop to cause significant learning to take place.

Goals: Broad plan of attack. Fink attacks this subject with the use of his six steps of significant learning. 1) Foundational Knowledge- things to remember,content. 2)Application-how the student uses critical thinking,problem solving,decision making.How the student will use communication and technology skills as well as learning how to manage complex tasks. 3)Integration- can the student make connections with other ideas and people to share and exchange knowledge. 4) Human Dimensions- learning about ones strengths and weaknesses and learning how to understand and interact with others. 5) Caring- being able to change and adapt to the community you are in and respect other communities that you are not part of. 6) Learning How to Learn- learn skills that will make you a better learner. Learn how to ask and answer questions. Learn how to find answers on your own . I must say that this is quite a lot to put in place but I can easily see how using all six steps in developing your course will really be a benefit the growth of a student as a learner rather than just a student full of facts.

Objectives: These are the components that an educator can use to see what his/her students have acquired along the journey through the learning process. Objectives need to be clear. Objectives need to be challenging but realistically reachable. Objectives should be designed as a stepping block to the next learning experience (life long learning) not an end in themselves.

As we left class on 2/10 I can honestly say I'm still confused with the process of course design but I can also say I left less confused than when we started which is a nice feeling to have .