Clancy's Corner Chats
Welcome! Let's Talk About Instructional Design Experience
This blog is an online portfolio about me, Michelle Clancy, to help display my talents as an educator and an Instructional Designer. In 2010 I became an unintentional Instructional Designer when I was asked to teach an online class and the rest is history. With little to no experience, I set out on a journey navigating the Learning Management System, Blackboard. This is where I started designing for the success of my students. Through trial and error, I developed a timeline for each week and selected the optimal days to assign and collect work. I now work with a variety of Learning Management systems, including Schoology, and help create content for ELA instructors and students. Currently, I create content for my Medical Academy English 11 classes which are in person, and my Medical Academy English 12 class--an online course. My goal is to help educators create and deliver content that is appealing to high school students that keeps them engaged with the content.
Journaling—a thing of the past or an educational tool for the future?
Journaling- once a private activity where the author jotted down their inner thoughts on the blank pages held between the spines of notebooks is now a widespread phenomenon shared with the masses. While some find it a cathartic exercise to eliminate the ruminating thoughts of the day, others prefer the public journal, or blog, to share their insight with others. Offering “flexible and accessible opportunities for implementing collaborative and reflective writing and learning,” (Kadir and Tasir, 2020) teachers and students can utilize blogs in a variety of ways for a variety of reasons.
Dr. Pauline Chen, author of the memoir, Final Exam: A Surgeons Reflections on Mortality shares stories of her experiences with patients, their families, and other medical professionals to understand death, or the “final exam” as she calls it. This is the first novel that my Medical Academy English 12 students read in their first online course. While reading, students are asked to reflect on Chen’s journaling inkling the befits of writing one’s own life stories. Much like Chen utilized writing to understand the concept of death, students can write through blogs to, “master certain concepts or ideas that they would find difficult to learn on their own” (Kadir and Tasir, 2020). The collaborative nature of blogs speaks to different levels of learners as well.
Kadir and Tasir explore social constructivist theory implying that it asks, “instructors” … “to create student-centered learning experiences in which students are required to develop their knowledge” (2020). Blogging can make this a reality for learners at any level. When my students read Final Exam: A Surgeons Reflections on Mortality they do so on their own because this is an online class. For many, this is the first book they will have read without the teacher assisting them in their understanding of the text. As a mini assignment, students will be asked for their understanding of a topic Chen presents in her memoir. With the interactive nature of blogs, students can collaborate and confer easily to help build their understanding of course materials. Perhaps my students only ever journaled about their crushes or what they had for lunch but now they can blog to expand their scope of understanding about themselves and aspects of the medical world in electronic “forms of interpersonal interaction and communication” (Galiskan, et. al, 2019) to grow as learners.
Did you enjoy what you read today? If so, stay tuned for more updates about Instructional Design, teaching, and learning through Clancy’s Corner.
References
Abdul Kadir, N. I., & Tasir, Z. (2020). Students’ Perceptions and Information-Sharing Patterns in Learning Authoring System Course through Blogging. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 15(19), 187–199. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v15i19.10950
Caliskan, S., Guney, Z., Sakhieva, R. G., Vasbieva, D. G., & Zaitseva, N. A. (2019). Teachers’ Views on the Availability of Web 2.0 Tools in Education. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 14(22), 70–81. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v14i22.11752
Chen, P. (2007). Final Exam: A Surgeon’s Reflections on Mortality.
Journaling- once a private activity where the author jotted down their inner thoughts on the blank pages held between the spines of notebooks is now a widespread phenomenon shared with the masses. While some find it a cathartic exercise to eliminate the ruminating thoughts of the day, others prefer the public journal, or blog, to share their insight with others. Offering “flexible and accessible opportunities for implementing collaborative and reflective writing and learning,” (Kadir and Tasir, 2020) teachers and students can utilize blogs in a variety of ways for a variety of reasons.
Dr. Pauline Chen, author of the memoir, Final Exam: A Surgeons Reflections on Mortality shares stories of her experiences with patients, their families, and other medical professionals to understand death, or the “final exam” as she calls it. This is the first novel that my Medical Academy English 12 students read in their first online course. While reading, students are asked to reflect on Chen’s journaling inkling the befits of writing one’s own life stories. Much like Chen utilized writing to understand the concept of death, students can write through blogs to, “master certain concepts or ideas that they would find difficult to learn on their own” (Kadir and Tasir, 2020). The collaborative nature of blogs speaks to different levels of learners as well.
Kadir and Tasir explore social constructivist theory implying that it asks, “instructors” … “to create student-centered learning experiences in which students are required to develop their knowledge” (2020). Blogging can make this a reality for learners at any level. When my students read Final Exam: A Surgeons Reflections on Mortality they do so on their own because this is an online class. For many, this is the first book they will have read without the teacher assisting them in their understanding of the text. As a mini assignment, students will be asked for their understanding of a topic Chen presents in her memoir. With the interactive nature of blogs, students can collaborate and confer easily to help build their understanding of course materials. Perhaps my students only ever journaled about their crushes or what they had for lunch but now they can blog to expand their scope of understanding about themselves and aspects of the medical world in electronic “forms of interpersonal interaction and communication” (Galiskan, et. al, 2019) to grow as learners.
Did you enjoy what you read today? If so, stay tuned for more updates about Instructional Design, teaching, and learning through Clancy’s Corner.
References
Abdul Kadir, N. I., & Tasir, Z. (2020). Students’ Perceptions and Information-Sharing Patterns in Learning Authoring System Course through Blogging. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 15(19), 187–199. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v15i19.10950
Caliskan, S., Guney, Z., Sakhieva, R. G., Vasbieva, D. G., & Zaitseva, N. A. (2019). Teachers’ Views on the Availability of Web 2.0 Tools in Education. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 14(22), 70–81. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v14i22.11752
Chen, P. (2007). Final Exam: A Surgeon’s Reflections on Mortality.
No Fear Submissions: never submit a blank document again!
If you’ve made it to this entry, you must find Instructional Design as interesting as I do. Today’s topic will focus on the benefits of microlearning in a virtual learning environment. Mini-lessons are not a new concept when it comes to classroom learning. Teachers have been known to break up larger assignments with smaller, more palatable lessons that make it easy for students to consume the information quickly and move on to another topic. Outside of the classroom, one can find a microlesson for just about anything they need help with on the internet. My husband is fond of the how-to videos on YouTube for fixing household appliances. Let’s just say that I no longer need a new dryer or disposal in my sink thanks to micro lessons.
Microlearning, “digital-based learning,” Zhang and West, 2020) was developed to meet the ever-changing needs of learners. My definition of microlearning consists of instructors creating bite-sized videos that help the learner understand a topic quickly. The content in my video targets students in my online English 12 course. I often assumed that because these students are digital natives, meaning they have grown up with technology, they know the nuances of the learning management systems we use. Upon grading blank document after blank document, I concluded that these students needed a microlesson that would easily walk them through the steps of finding an assignment, downloading the template, saving it to their computer, and successfully submitting the assignment when it was completed. In less than three minutes, learners can consume the video and feel confident in their ability to turn in completed work.
References
Zhang, J., & West, R. E. (2020). Designing Microlearning Instruction for ProfessionalDevelopment Through a Competency-Based Approach. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, 64(2), 310–318. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528- 019-00449-4
If you’ve made it to this entry, you must find Instructional Design as interesting as I do. Today’s topic will focus on the benefits of microlearning in a virtual learning environment. Mini-lessons are not a new concept when it comes to classroom learning. Teachers have been known to break up larger assignments with smaller, more palatable lessons that make it easy for students to consume the information quickly and move on to another topic. Outside of the classroom, one can find a microlesson for just about anything they need help with on the internet. My husband is fond of the how-to videos on YouTube for fixing household appliances. Let’s just say that I no longer need a new dryer or disposal in my sink thanks to micro lessons.
Microlearning, “digital-based learning,” Zhang and West, 2020) was developed to meet the ever-changing needs of learners. My definition of microlearning consists of instructors creating bite-sized videos that help the learner understand a topic quickly. The content in my video targets students in my online English 12 course. I often assumed that because these students are digital natives, meaning they have grown up with technology, they know the nuances of the learning management systems we use. Upon grading blank document after blank document, I concluded that these students needed a microlesson that would easily walk them through the steps of finding an assignment, downloading the template, saving it to their computer, and successfully submitting the assignment when it was completed. In less than three minutes, learners can consume the video and feel confident in their ability to turn in completed work.
References
Zhang, J., & West, R. E. (2020). Designing Microlearning Instruction for ProfessionalDevelopment Through a Competency-Based Approach. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, 64(2), 310–318. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528- 019-00449-4
Happy Holidays-Who’s in your PLN?
Personal Learning Networks are the buzz of the educational world, but I would argue that they have been around in various forms outside of education. Have you ever gone on a girl’s trip or sat in a mommy and me group sipping coffee while chatting about life? These networks include those in your life with common interests and you value what they have to offer. PLNs are not much different in the world of Education.
A creature of habit, I often rely on groups that I have been a part of for years as opposed to finding new opportunities for professional growth. However, one PLN that I was once a part of I stopped going to for support. MACUL or the Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning is an organization designed for collaborative growth with the use of technology. Pre-Pandemic I would attend their annual conferences to hear from content experts on the latest and greatest educational ideas. I was even a presenter at one such conference on the benefits of Blended and Online learning. Using Blackboard as my Learning Management System, I shared all my tips and tricks for success in building and sustaining an online class.
As the years have passed, I have traveled away from in-person PLNs to the more convenient groups present on social media. It’s a little easier to hide in an online world if you’re a bit of an introvert. These groups provide me with funny anecdotes, a place to vent anonymously, and more importantly, a place to share and collaborate on classroom lessons. While I love these groups and have gained a lot of knowledge, it’s time to get back to MACUL and learn from the content experts who have grown and evolved past the emergency learning of the pandemic.
The holidays are upon us and we are getting back to our family PLNs. My advice (not that you asked for it) is to eat the dessert, toast to being together, and remember there is a lot to be learned from anyone around us. Happy Holidays, friends! Cheers to you!
Personal Learning Networks are the buzz of the educational world, but I would argue that they have been around in various forms outside of education. Have you ever gone on a girl’s trip or sat in a mommy and me group sipping coffee while chatting about life? These networks include those in your life with common interests and you value what they have to offer. PLNs are not much different in the world of Education.
A creature of habit, I often rely on groups that I have been a part of for years as opposed to finding new opportunities for professional growth. However, one PLN that I was once a part of I stopped going to for support. MACUL or the Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning is an organization designed for collaborative growth with the use of technology. Pre-Pandemic I would attend their annual conferences to hear from content experts on the latest and greatest educational ideas. I was even a presenter at one such conference on the benefits of Blended and Online learning. Using Blackboard as my Learning Management System, I shared all my tips and tricks for success in building and sustaining an online class.
As the years have passed, I have traveled away from in-person PLNs to the more convenient groups present on social media. It’s a little easier to hide in an online world if you’re a bit of an introvert. These groups provide me with funny anecdotes, a place to vent anonymously, and more importantly, a place to share and collaborate on classroom lessons. While I love these groups and have gained a lot of knowledge, it’s time to get back to MACUL and learn from the content experts who have grown and evolved past the emergency learning of the pandemic.
The holidays are upon us and we are getting back to our family PLNs. My advice (not that you asked for it) is to eat the dessert, toast to being together, and remember there is a lot to be learned from anyone around us. Happy Holidays, friends! Cheers to you!
Best Practices for using Augmented Reality in the Classroom
Immersive technology and experiences are all around us. I can't scroll through Facebook without learning about a new tour of immersion coming to my town. It started with Van Gough, then The Nutcracker, and for a low price of around 50 dollars per person, I can immerse myself in the world of Disney. Projectors pointed at walls, the ceiling, and the floor gives viewers a 360-degree look at the class art, ballet, or cartoons. Undoubtedly, someone came to the conclusion that the best practice for delivering this content was from all angles.
Throughout my teaching career the idea of “best practices” has come up countless times. Best practices for grading, best practices for classroom management, best practices—best practices—best practices. A newer concept would include best practices for immersive technology in the classroom. As an ELA teacher, using Augmented Reality or Virtual Reality seems unrealistic. In a science class, however, one could dissect a frog without having to smell formaldehyde or hold a scalpel. Virtual Reality could also help medical students walk through a surgical procedure before operating on a patient.
The video I created discussed the idea of creating an Augmented Reality experience where my Medical Academy students look at a 3D model of a brain to learn the different parts. In a memoir that we read in class; a baby is born without activity above the brain stem. Showing students this model would help them understand where the brain damage is located. Currently, in the process of finding an easy-to-use program to make my vision a reality, I Googled and stumbled upon Overly. Overly is an app that allows for the creation of Augmented Reality.
Immersive technology and experiences are all around us. I can't scroll through Facebook without learning about a new tour of immersion coming to my town. It started with Van Gough, then The Nutcracker, and for a low price of around 50 dollars per person, I can immerse myself in the world of Disney. Projectors pointed at walls, the ceiling, and the floor gives viewers a 360-degree look at the class art, ballet, or cartoons. Undoubtedly, someone came to the conclusion that the best practice for delivering this content was from all angles.
Throughout my teaching career the idea of “best practices” has come up countless times. Best practices for grading, best practices for classroom management, best practices—best practices—best practices. A newer concept would include best practices for immersive technology in the classroom. As an ELA teacher, using Augmented Reality or Virtual Reality seems unrealistic. In a science class, however, one could dissect a frog without having to smell formaldehyde or hold a scalpel. Virtual Reality could also help medical students walk through a surgical procedure before operating on a patient.
The video I created discussed the idea of creating an Augmented Reality experience where my Medical Academy students look at a 3D model of a brain to learn the different parts. In a memoir that we read in class; a baby is born without activity above the brain stem. Showing students this model would help them understand where the brain damage is located. Currently, in the process of finding an easy-to-use program to make my vision a reality, I Googled and stumbled upon Overly. Overly is an app that allows for the creation of Augmented Reality.