Design, write lit review...play WOW--repeat.

This has been a rough couple weeks. I'm happy that the my second semester of graduate school is coming to an end, but working on our design team prototype and literature review has been stressful.  Yesterday my group was able to meet up and talk about the learning need that we are zoning in on for our tool-but it still is not up to par with what Paul wants us to have.  I find myself feeling discouraged at times, because I thought we were clear on the learning theories and needs that we hope to reach with DreamIT--but this was not the case.  So, back to square one...again.  UGGGGH.

However, I do think that this has been a really good learning experience-although it really is tough to have your great ideas pulled apart I realize that it's made for an exceptional learning experience.  I find myself thinking more in depth about learning theories and how our tool can accomplish using them effectively by use of multimedia.  And since I expect our goals as a group to be questioned I find that I spend a lot of time now preparing myself with resources that I could use in our discussions to support our ideas.

As for as lit review goes...it's a constant work in progress.  The main struggle I have with that now is that I have to consolidate so many resources--I didn't anticipate finding so many.

Wrapping Up

Needless to say, December approached really quickly.  Between work/school/family & friends, I havent had much time to sit down and update this blog.  So, this will be my effort to wrap up some of what has been going on in class all at once.  

I started off Bill's course with a pretty strong opinion that learning should be fun and creative.  And his class helped me to strengthen my opinions and allowed me to apply my research through class discussions on WoW.  However, I believe that although learning should never be boring--there is a strong need for structure.  As much as maintaining an open, free-spirited environment for a learner creates great space for motivation, so does organization.  If the latter is lacking, I feel that the learning space becomes less challenging, more confusing and less effective. 

In terms of theory, this course makes good use of social collaboration--using WoW for some class times is a testament to that notion.  However, I feel that although using video games for learning is great (and I really appreciated the opportunity to interact with my peers in a different manner) there should be enough challenge presented, as well as mediation from the instructor, for the class to have learned better.  But, I understand that this was just a different way of learning that I am not used to.  

For Margaret's class we have been focusing on AR.  My development through my AR is e-mentoring-but through a more social platform.  And in the past, the concept of e-mentoring has focused on limited uses of technology (e-mail, listservs etc.), soI hope to make a space online that is much more personal.  This would involve making use of social collaboration--I want to make a space that both engages and challenges either side of the relationship.  Additionally, since I will be working with children, most likely between the ages of 13-17, I want to find a way that engages them so they feel motivated to continue the Internet in a positive way---updates on AR are in Sakai blog--.

Finally, Paul's class has had us discussing personas and their importance in creating our learning tools.  Our prototype assignment was due yesterday and DreamIT did a great job with creating Virtual Pen Pals.  It's exciting to see everything that we have discussed within group meetings actually come into play and realize how our prototype could become a great learning tool at some point.