Reflection on PLN

I definitely found the Personal Learning Network Activities very beneficial. I felt the Active Learning strategy presentations were advantageous to be done in a Webinar format. First, it gave us experience in presenting in such a format, knowing what to expect and what not to expect and secondly it allows for flexibility and shows us ways to reach our peers when we can not be in the same place.

I appreciate the weekly blogging with our peers, since collaborating with each other was one of the most beneficial tools of Clinical Studies. Such collaboration creates a support group and inspiring us with new ideas. I would have preferred it to be on Diigo which I feel is a better Web 2.0 tool than Blogger. After 16 weeks I still haven't figured out this program entirely. How do you copy and paste into your blog tried everything even shortcuts!!!! ? I feel Diigo is much more user friendly.

I am always looking for new ways to use Twitter and would like to research Facebook more since I am friends with many dog rescue groups on Facebook and it has been a great networking tool. I am sure it can do the same for Business Education.

The NBEA Connect tool is beyond beneficial. I wish I would have looked at this more int he beginning of the semester. I responded to a post that expanded my knowledge of Web 2.0 tools and really can use this information in the future. I enjoy incorporating technology into many lessons and so do my students. http://nbeaconnect.ning.com/forum/topics/resource-1 My post on NBEA connect was about a great website , http://www.marketingteacher.com Many many useful resources on this site and ALL IN ONE PLACE!!!!

The podcast I listened to was "Trends in Business and Business Education" by Raj Soin , College of Business , Wright State University. I am constantly telling my students "What's Hot " in business trends right now and where industry predicts future jobs. This podcast was on Itunes and was very informative http://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/trends-in-business-business/id428373327

I tried to develop a PLN activity for my students who are doing a create a business project. I felt this would be beneficial for them to share resources with other groups, etc. Unfortunately various blogging programs are blocked at NW. ;-(. So I created my Learning Center for the that group to easily access resources ad the sharing has to be done in the classroom.

Learning Center II

Marketing Learning Center- Introduction to Business

In my Introduction to Business class we are doing chapter work and a project on Marketing. The trifold board in the pictures above was used during the lesson portion to provide a visual to key terms during textbook explanation. I further used the trifold by adding folders placed in front of the board with examples that corresponded with items in their project. For example, in my students' create a business project they are writing a SWOT analysis for their business, one of the folders in front of the trifold was labeled SWOT analysis and provide handouts that furthered clarified the subject and also provided examples of SWOT analyses from businesses such as Burger King, Ben and Jerry's, Pepsi Co, and others. Other folders that were in the learning center provided examples of mission statements, advertising, and applying the 4 P's of marketing from said businesses. As the students worked on components of their projects that would utilize the folders for ideas or they would make sure their portion of their project corresponds to what industry dictates.

The trifold was mobile since I often switch rooms and provided support for the student's projects. They were given a through explanation of how to use the learning center and as you can see in the picture above, when they needed ideas or further clarification they referred to the board and the folders. The eliminated many questions by the student and since I previewed the information it provided more sound examples and examples in accordance to what I am looking for rather then them using the Internet. I also teach this class in a room without Internet at times so this process really worked for the class. The students became very familiar with the board and learned to access it themselves without prompting from me. I noticed a tremendous difference in their examples once they started using the board as a reference. The students also commented on the process being easier than looking all over the Internet, which also saved valuable class time for me to further instruct. The final assessment (summative) will be on the completion and grading of their work, but a formative assessment of watching the students interact with each other and the learning center was utilized daily.

On line learning

I definitely feel online learning has its advantages and disadvantages. One of the disadvantages and potentially an advantage as well, is that students lose the "social interaction skills" that brick and mortar schools offer. I feel this is a disadvantage and can be an advantage for several reasons. The majority of students need a social element to learning so they learn to be tolerant of others, act appropriately in a group/social setting, and develop essential soft skills. Brick and mortar schools provide opportunities for such interaction , but sometime the interaction could be a downfall to particular students such as those who are severe victims to peer pressure and/ or bullying. I currently have a student, two periods a day, who acts completely different in both classes and it is because of the type of students in the room. He cannot be the studious type that he really is in front of his friends and his grades suffer for it. I know he can do the work and do it well as I see it in my other class, but is victimized by giving into peer pressure to be the "class clown" thus affecting his quality of work and personality. Another advantage I feel to online learning is students are given the opportunity to be more selective with their interests in regards to classes. They can focus on certain subject matter that is realtive to thier chosen career paths. It also allows students to pursue other activities, such as acting, sports etc, while doing school work on a schedule that meets their needs rather than making academics a second priority. Lastly, if the cyber school allows interaction with Web 2.0 tools and not follow the "old school" classroom design, I feel it can be more beneficial if executed correctly. Cyber school needs to have oppportuniites for face to face meetings and extracurricular activities to be extremely effective.