A JOURNEY IN

LEARNING
MANAGEMENT
FROM CONFUSION TO COMPETENCE
Craig Olson
OLTD 504
Vancouver Island University
April 10, 2014

INTRODUCTION
The following is a compilation of some of my reflections, comments,
discussions, and submissions over the course of OLTD 504. I have quoted
the words of my classmates many times and provided their name and the
date when I have done so. My own words are indicated by the date only
and with no name attached. As you probably have figured out by now, just
click your mouse to advance the show.

IN THE BEGINNING..
I am still floundering around trying to do what I think we were all ready supposed to have
done. My clue that I was behind was an e-mail from Avi asking for my calendar. So I just did
that now.
And just so everyone knows, I am a non DL teacher that does almost no technology based
learning at all. :-P I know, I know, don't say it....
-

March 3, 2014

Don't forget to breathe! I thought it would take me a long time, but it didn't take as long as I
expected. Most of us in this D2L group are taking some time this week to read over what is
expected and finish up the week 1 jobs, so you aren't behind at all. I am also a face-to-face
instructor, but I have had some experience with D2L over the past 2 years at VIU.
- Charlene Stewart, March 3, 2014

SOMETHING TO PONDER
The violin player reminded of times when I have seen musicians 'losing' themselves and
been jealous that I never have that experience while playing guitar. Then I realised that
when I master a piece of music, then I can lose myself in it. Unfortunately it can usually
only be a two or three chord song........
- March 4, 2014
In the past I have mentioned to colleagues that at work I seem to be either bored or
anxious. According to the Flow diagram comparing skills and challenges, these represent
times when I am not going to experience Flow. For me the revelation revolves around the
idea that much of what I do as a teacher has a large social component and that is also what
I find the most stressful. If I extrapolate from Csikszentmihalyis chart, I am under-skilled
and over-challenged in the area of social skills. That is a bit hard to swallow but I guess it
makes some sense.
- March 7, 2014

WHATS THAT CALLED WHEN

FINDING MY WAY
I still feel like the LMS's that I've worked with are sinister filing cabinets with multiple openings. I'm never sure if I am looking at
the same material because I seem to have gotten to it a slightly different way every time. It seems like I am trying to figure out
how some else's brain is organised.
I'm always amazed by how seemingly tech-savvy students can be so easily frustrated when confronted with a new learning
activity involving a computer. I approach my use of online resources as something that I will have to 're-figure out' to an extent
every time. Many of my students and even colleagues get exceptionally frustrated when I can't give them a foolproof set of
instructions to follow exactly.
- March 5, 2014
I still grapple with using technology for my own learning purposes and have yet to incorporate e-learning with my students in a
meaningful way. I want to find a way to blend my preference for physical experiences and activities with the current reality of
education relying more and more on technology.
- March 7, 2014
the methods in which the information can be created, shared, remixed and passed along are also constantly evolving. I have
a sense that we will be in a perpetual state of catch-up. Because technology is playing a bigger role in what we do, I also want to
incorporate it in a meaningful way, but like you I dont want to lose the face to face connection I enjoy in the classroom.
- Rod Miller, March 7, 2014

MORE TO THINK ABOUT

I thought it might be good to inspire us, to remind us why its important to take
the time to learn these skills and keep calm through frustrating times (like, for
instance, through Collaborates inability to application share). From what Ive seen
so far, learning online can potentially be a better fit for an alt. ed. clientele than
direct instruction; life happens a lot more for these guys, and as such, having a
well-organized LMS can be part the solution. The number one reason that
students drop out is usually an unforeseen absence. However, if students had a
way to catch up on missed material from home, it could lead to a better outcome.
-

Andrew Still, March 10, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=o8limRtHZPs

GETTING CLEARER
I found the process of producing instructional tools for use by corporations
to be both very different, and, yet, somehow similar to what is required
within the school system. While I am always cognisant of managing
behaviour and keeping students on task, businesses are interested in cost
effective methods of providing training to employees. The corporate
clients are similar is some regards to students and their parents but
teachers are generally not seeking individual approval or feedback as
frequently and are usually trying to satisfy dozens, if not hundreds, of
customers. It would be safe to say that educators often deal in bulk when
it comes to their product.
- March 13, 2014
Claudia Dornbusch -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxY22IhbaH4

STILL WONDERING
One of the big differences that struck me, however, is that there is no
discussion on the video of revision of content. Many teachers reflect on
content and adjust either content still to be delivered or method of delivery
based on the particular students they work with. The delivery of e-learning
can be much more fluid, changing from year to year. I got the impression
that corporate trainers create these courses for people they haven't met,
but teachers often create them for students they know, and as the students
they are working with change, so do their courses.
- Kirk McConnell, March 14, 2014

D2L CALENDAR JIGSAW PRESENTATION

DEBRIEFING
Thanks, Lisa and you're welcome. I don't think it was much better going
second to last. Someone once told me that we don't really listen very well.
We wait to talk. Then we talk. And then we wait to talk again. I was pretty
surprised that I was actually able to follow other peoples' talks instead of
just being all nervous about my own. That said, I kind of went blank when it
was my turn. I probably should have practised more in Collaborate.
- March 19, 2014

D2L LMS COURSE BUILD

USING AN LMS
After spending a good part of the last two weeks immersed in trying to figure out the workings of D2L, it was
interesting to read Niall Sclaters thoughts about Personal Learning Environments and the future of Learning
Management Systems. Even three weeks ago the article would have confused me because I had had so little
experience with any type of LMS except from the student perspective. A Learning Management System which would
suit an institution the best would likely not be embraced by students and that which would meet the students on
their terms would be unlikely to fulfill the requirements of the institution. So we are left with trying to meet the
needs of the institution while being engaging and friendly for the students.
It does not appear that institutions will have any easier time in the future when it comes to weighing the pros and
cons of learning management systems. Despite the availability of more and more free social media tools, those
which are both engaging for the students and meet the institutional requirements for function, privacy, and control
are quite scarce.
-

March 27, 2014

Niall Sclater Web 2.0, Personal Learning Environments, and the Future of Learning Management Systems
http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ERB0813.pdf

SEEING THE POSSIBILITY

So instead of being a poor substitute for a face to face experience, online
learning could be a way to reach the previously unreachable. It is an idea
that is worth considering. After all, internet access and smart phones are
already bringing about social and political change. Some say the recent
revolution in Libya was made possible through the use of Twitter.
- March 20, 2014
Daphne Koller TED Talk -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6FvJ6jMGHU

SHARING THE DREAM

As an online teacher I have seen the value in it but mostly contributed to
flexibility both in time and in style of learning. By that I mean that I can create a
course online that can offer variety to meet a number of learning styles and
students can have flexibility in when and where they do their schooling. But I had
not considered that online education could be a cost effective way to offer courses
to those who may otherwise not be able to pursue post secondary.
- Glenda Dyck, March 21, 2014
As you mention, we can connect in a way that never was possible before. We can
teach those who cannot come to a class because they are female, live too far
away, have mobility issues or the government prevents it. It is an exciting time.

-Lisa Lewis, March 24, 2014

WIKI? ISNT THAT FURNITURE?

ENVISIONING MY FUTURE
As one of those teachers who feels most comfortable knowing many times more than
could ever be necessary about subject matter that (embracing the unfamiliar) would be a
big scary step. I like to be in control. I like to know what to expect, even when it is
unexpected. Having to ask students to provide advice and solve problems that may arise is
completely foreign territory for me. I teach a few boys that are absolute techie wiz-kids
that I could probably learn a lot from. Moving from Sage on the Stage to Guide at the
Side is like asking me to re-define my personality. I guess it isnt all that dramatic, though,
when one considers that I have always been more of a Sage at the Side kind of teacher.
I am willing to accept that any online teaching I will do in the future will be very
uncomfortable for me. My toolkit is full of the familiar and trusted recommendations. It will
evolve with time as the unfamiliar becomes more familiar.
- April 3, 2014

SELECTING MY STARTER KIT

THE NON-LMS TOOLS

I could be accused of an over-reliance on Google, but I prefer to build on the familiar and not
overwhelm myself with new items all at once. It has also been my experience that many students
already have personal Gmail and google accounts. My school district also provides students with
email accounts through Google. Based on my own experience and familiarity and the
recommendation of my colleagues, I would use Google for peer mentoring, communication,
dashboard, file-sharing, calendar, reflections/journals, and self/peer evaluation.
I have used Weebly before so using it for ePortfolio and community would make sense for me based
on the review from the class wiki. Collaborize Classroom, Padlet, Engrade, Infuse Learning, and
Pixetell are in my toolbox based solely on the faith I have in my colleagues and their strong
endorsements. Edmodo is in my kit because I have a tiny bit of experience with it from earlier in the
program and it seems to be well thought of. Empressr appeals to me because of how it incorporates
Powerpoint and the fact that I am quite comfortable using Powerpoint. Lastly, QuizStar is in my
toolbox because I researched it myself and I am quite confident in its usefulness and reliability.
- April 3, 2014

NOT DOING IT ALONE

You were a great addition to our group in 503. Not everyone needs to be
the fastest and you don't even need to use everything that is thrown at us.
The most important is to find the tools that work for you for what you need
to accomplish. And if the students are able to sometimes teach you a thing
or two, how great is that?
- Carla Wilson, April 4, 2014
You are a great addition to our cohort, and you have a lot to bring to the
table. Your honesty is awesome, and I think it's better to share how we're
really doing than pretend otherwise.
- Karen Hunter, April 4, 2014

MORE SUPPORT FROM AFAR

Your reflection that we need to approach this journey with our own learning needs in
mind is so appropriate as we enter into our final course for this year. I am so glad we will
continue this journey together.
- Corina Summerfelt, April 4, 2014
I think many of us have seen our comfort zones shift fairly dramatically over the course
of the program. We've taken on some pretty intense assignments and made it through...
the confidence that we can actually handle this, that we can make it to the end, is just
budding for some of us and has reached the level of full blown knowingness for others!
I'm at the budding phase, like the Littlest Engine chugging up the mountain: "I think I
can, I think I can..." :) It sounds like you have made it a step beyond that!
- Jay Ishaya, April 4, 2014

REFERENCES
Anderson, T. (2004). Theory and Practice of Online Learning. Athabasca University. Athabasca.
Bonk, C. (2010). Planning an Online Course. Retrieved from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3H7PbkndOk&feature=youtu.be
Dornbusch, C. (2009). E-Learning Project Management. Retrieved from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WURExEwxU2M&feature=share&list=ULWURExEwxU2M
Dornbusch, C. (2010). E-Learning: How to Deliver an Engaging Virtual Classroom Presentation. Retrieved from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxY22IhbaH4&list=ULWURExEwxU2M
Downes, S. (2005). E-Learning 2.0. eLearn Magazine. Retrieved from:
http://elearnmag.acm.org/featured.cfm?aid=1104968
Koller, D. (2012). What were learning from online education. Retrieved from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6FvJ6jMGHU
Moore, M. (1989). Editorial: Three Types of Interaction. American Journal of Distance Education. Vol. 3. Issue 2.
Pugliese, L. (2012). A Post LMS World. EDUCASE Centre For Applied Research (ECAR). Volume 47. Issue 1.
Sclater, N. (2008). Web 2.0, Personal Learning Environments, and the Future of Learning Management Systems.
EDUCASE Centre For Applied Research (ECAR). Volume 2008. Issue 13.