Over the course of the last two years I have gained much insight into the theories and practices of elearning.  We completed six modules over the course of two years:

1. Learning theories

2. Instructional design

3. Supporting VCoP

4. ePortfolio

5. Applied research

6. Year 2 research project

 

Year one started with the learning theories module which I have encountered in the past when I studied for my degree.  This module discussed the theories of learning such as constructivism which I have started using in my own practice to assist learners to promote higher order thinking by interacting with the concepts.  This has helped learners to be more motivated and engaged by making them take a more active role in the learning process.

 

In the instructional design module I worked as part of a group (Project Hashtag) to design, develop and deploy an elearning resource, College Assignment Writing – An Introduction.  Prior to completing this module I had little or no knowledge of developing an elearning resource or what it entailed, but this module taught me the important stages of developing an elearning resource from the planning stages of creating a storyboard, choosing the right theories of learning suitable to the learner, to the creating of the resource.  In the future I intend to use the skills learned in this module to build bite size learning objects to enhance my current training delivery.

​

Prior to completing the Supporting Virtual Communities of Practice module I had little or no knowledge of what it would entail.  Gaining the understanding that a VCoP is a social network where the purpose is the key to collaboration helped me to understand the basic concept.  Our group CoPS (Community of Practice Scholars) developed a wiki “Taming Your Digital Footprint” using WordPress as the platform.  The group used the Gilly Salmon’s “Five Stage Model” and the "eTivities Summary Planning Sheet" which were both very helpful when laying the foundation of the group project.  In conclusion completing this module has given me the opportunity to reflect not only on being a participant in an online learning environment but also the tremendous task that an eModerator has to complete to be able to deliver a module in this environment using both synchronous and asynchronous tools. In the future I will use online learning environments as part of a blended learning approach in my own practice to allow for more appropriate use of class time. As a future eModerator I will be taking the opportunity to take the group wiki and develop it further by designing online activities that incorporate these technologies.

​

When completing the Applied Research module I found that there was a lot of work that was required to be completed, but at the time I did not see how this would prepare me for my year two project.  In conclusion if I had not completed this module I would certainly not of been appropriately prepared for the work that was required in year two.

 

All of the work that I had completed in year one prepared me for what was required in year two and therefore I was able to use the summer months to prepare the storyboard for my project allowing for more time to complete my research.  The research question that I choose for my year two project was:

“What effect would an elearning resource informing young adults in an Irish Community Training Centre of the impact of their digital footprint have and how would it change the way they behave online into the future?”

 

The idea for creating a resource to teach young adults about their digital footprint was a topic that I had developed and was going to work on after I finished my masters, but then suggested this topic for the Supporting VCoP.  I then further developed this topic for my masters.  I intend to use the skills that I have learned in the past two years to design and develop other resources that can be used in synchronous and asynchronous training.

​