CECS 6020: Week 16

Overall, I think I benefited the most from this course in two ways: 1) learning about the various learning theories and ID methods that I was previously unaware of, and 2) putting one of these theories (situated learning) into practice by creating a course on mobile learning.

I was previously unaware of a majority of the discussed learning theories. Some I had (problem based learning), and several I have unknowingly practiced (discovery and inquiry based learning). Still, a few did not completely make sense to me (generative, social constructivism, & REALS).

I would have liked to spent more time examining, dissecting, and discussing various existing instruction to discover qualities that work, or those that need improvement and how. Also, I would have liked further guided discussions on how these theories are relevant to successful instructional design.

I feel that overall the course will have a lasting impact on my instructional design practices. Though the exercise of creating a course shell (prototype) is beneficial, from my experience as an instructor I would argue that creating a strong vision of the over-arching goal is more important that making sure each detail of the course is in place. To be successful, aspects of the course must change over time. Even polished curriculum must be treated as a prototype: learning and changing from each class.