The Other AR: 12-20-14 thru 2-16-15 Reflections (4)

Transcribed from hand-written notes (made on dates noted):

12-20-14 Reflection:

Integrating methods into instructional curriculum that seeks to richly enhance the collaborative experience between students and those they will interact with.  In addition, the course modifications should enable stronger foundation in students to recognize the strength of their contributions as they pertain to overall analysis functions and group/team interactions.

Reflections – Post 1^st Learning Circle meet-up (1-23-2015):

I really need to get on w/ doing a pre-course survey for my 2-16 class

Topics to cover:

·         Subject Matter Knowledge + Rating scale on a variety of options

·         Desired course format (?)

o   Direct Instruction – slides, step-by-step guidance in

o   Semi-course objectives taught briefly, then play on the system

o   Free w/ curriculum as framework – students free to work as a group, or not

(Me) Takeaways:

Maybe I can/should incorporate:

·         Weekly or bi-monthly exercises (?)

·         Weekly or bi-monthly TIPS – system tips & techniques (tricks & reminders) (?)

(Possibly incorporate into post-course survey… i.e. to gauge interest) ?

ADD: Do you feel you can adequately perform practical application of the skills taught in the course?

From Adam: Focus on Reflection….!!!!

14 Feb 2015 Reflections:

Can’t learn on the system like you learn on an iPod… (it’s not easy, intuitive, or easy to operate or completely robust

                = misuse can be catastrophic – system is so powerful it requires a lot of system knowledge/time/experience to operate effectively

Teach with this understanding!!!

16 Feb 2015:

Worked a short seven-area “pre-course” survey where students can rate themselves and their level of knowledge in seven topic areas that our course is (currently,) predicated on an understanding of.

Ratings include:

Not Much Knowledge- Some Knowledge- High-level of Knowledge- Extremely Knowledgeable

Survey included (purposely,) some jargon/terminology to rate understanding

** This should give a good baseline where to start the class (cover some remedial information, or hit- the- ground-runnin’

Surprisingly, my co-trainer seemed skeptical that I wanted to conduct one (pre-course survey) but he seemed happy with the result.

12/19/2014 notes and reflections

Reflections originally made 19 Dec 2014 from hand-written notes transcribed here...

• Training opportunity was led by student interaction (course did not follow a directed/recorded lesson plan or hardened list of learning objectives)
• Students are engaging in deeper level problem-solving exercises
• Higher level thoughts are being wielded by students as to how they want to use the tools they have been taught and mold them to fit their own needs
• While much student - instructor interaction nearly simulates a peer relationship, large amounts of attention are required by teacher to fill the role of a team-facilitator:
• Drive students to engage one-another to work more collaboratively
• Students are verbally being tested and analyzed by the instructor as they discuss problem specifics and craft devices to succeed in learning objectives
• Collaboration seems to be facilitating deeper learning by encouraging active participation by students into complex hypothetical/theoretical aspects of the partially known problem(s) they were presented with to include:
• Seeking guidance/consult/instruction on how to conduct various experiments to understand components of (their) problem
• Results are then being used to discuss problem definition with others (yielding further collaboration! :D)

Isolate variables:
Possibly then: (i.e. future learning opportunities and application by students through further knowledge attainment)

• Disregard insignificant points? (instructor view: little)
• Categorize 'successes' as to overall usefulness (instructor view: not there yet)
• Record methods? (instructor view: little)

11-13 Dec 2014 Post Survey analysis & reflections

Reflections originally made 14 Dec 2014 from hand-written notes transcribed here...

Notes compiled after part II of course (originally started on 12/1/2014):

• Change of scope in students and diversity of the skill levels of students (re: skills already possessed or lacking prior to attendance of our course).  Primarily higher level skill than of past students, requiring more focus and learning on the part of the instructors (myself, and others)

• Course notes taken by students and answers to survey questions indicate possible needs for training on areas we haven't (or don't normally) provide training on.
• Instructor notes on this:
• Is this a course shortfall?  Possible, although the current training course is already an accelerated, rigorous schedule
• Potential for additional instructing opportunities?  This is probably the way that learning levels can be attained with high enough proficiency by students
•  More instructor time was allocated to extraneous requests and questions

Takeaways:
Learning objectives were met but additional outcomes that should have been covered were missed due to outside factors influencing and creating time constraints

Reflections from 5 Dec 2014 Class - for Cycle 1

Reflections originally made 5 Dec 2014 from hand-written notes transcribed here...

In regards to Cycle 1:

Students are already collaborating a lot to gain further knowledge of the software. Some 'pushing' of newly learned concepts to test their knowledge and understanding of finer details of system workings and intricacies.

** Role of Facilitator - Instructor worked to prod students to aid their thinking in directions that they could apply their newly-learned skills (day 4-5 of 5 day class).  Instructor (I) asked questions of students which required student experimentation (on their own as part of a two-person team) with the software.

Post class reflection:
Student interest in scope of daily training objectives seemed higher once they knew that their training needs and inquiries would steer what they learned for the day (and in large part, determined the depth of time and attention to specific learning objectives).

Takeaways:
Student learning experience seemed to be higher (students more energetic to take on new material/concepts/challenges,)  versus former classes... Students expressed their feelings that they felt empowered to steer the direction of their time, system use, and time with instructor.  Required course objectives were met.

Surveys administered