Social software or social media, that is the thought.
Reflection 2
Friday 21 October, 2022.
Social Software and Learning Management Systems (LMS)
The heated debate in my class was between social software and the LMS made me ponder on my past experiences and readings. As I reflected on my first experience with using the Learning Exchange platform that is a LMS that is a suite of asynchronous built-in tools such as multi discussion forums, content material in the form of text, word documents, power point presentations, pdf. files, wikis, messages, library and email links. These useful components represent varied forms of rich text that caters to different learning styles. This LMS can be used anytime, anyplace, flexible access to information in my online class. Furthermore, this LMS does not require all learners involved to be present at the same time. This tool support student engagement and collaborative learning.
In contrast, as I reflected on my first experience with using the Black Board Collaborate that is a suite of synchronous tools in an online classroom in real-time which is scheduled for a stated date, start time and end time; the course instructor and the students meet at anyplace, but at the same time, on any digital device such as a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. This synchronous LMS used discussion chat forums, audio and video conferencing presentations of PowerPoint slides by both students and teachers. These built-in tools included the use of text, pictures, graphics, emojis and audio which addresses different learning styles, instant feedback and good social interaction for everyone.
As I further reflected, I came to realize that both the learning exchange and the Black Board Collaborate are both LMS and a “social software” because they have built-in features used to communicate and collaborate between individuals or groups, collect and provide feedback of information for a “certain set of learners and teachers” in an eLearning environment. This tool also supports student engagement and collaborative learning.
I am a self-motivated lifelong learner; I can place myself in the “learners’ shoes” and say that the LMS is good and safe place for using the built-in tools. But the not everyone have access to the LMS unless it is for a class online. However, the “social media” like LinkedIn, Tik Tok, Twitter that everyone can use provides more opportunities for the engagement by the general public.
Integrated in LMS and Usage
As I reflected on the outbreak of COVID-19 worldwide in mid 2020 and being under curfew, lock down and now “liberated” in 2022. I realized that social media other than WhatsApp chat can be very important tools. For example, the use of Instagram and Facebook, when I made several posts many of my friends and colleagues reacted and made comments. This made me feel awesome, I had a voice to be heard. I too can contribute to the online community and build a network. I said to myself: “What a wonderful world”. This song inspired me in my reflection Louis Armstrong (2020).
So, yes, social software or media using the words to mean the same thing in this context, like YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, WhatsApp can be used by anyone and integrated in LMS for eLearning. For my professional development courses, as a business educator, an asynchronous LMS called Moodles is used at the higher education level by all adjunct lectures. I used the LMS suite of asynchronous tools for online instructional delivery. For collaboration and assessment for my management students who are lifelong learners. The URL links for YouTube video, pdf. Files, Google Slides links for presentations, demonstrations and tutorials, the internal messaging or WhatsApp for reminders, or and lesson notes for extra reading materials for academic learning. These forms encouraged engagement in their activities because it is linked to their subject content.
Sometimes, I have to step back and take a break. At this juncture, I play with my cat Junei. He is a great stress reliever. After petting my kitty cat, I came up with some teaching ideas for the lessons.
Like, scenarios and case studies were provided for activities and for students form of expression to write 1,000 words essays in Google Docs, create a YouTube, or a blog and send links to their individual messaging chat for assessment or they can email the links. Likewise, integrate Microsoft Teams for live discussions, presentations are facilitated with web-conferencing, YouTube video clips, or power point lecturer style. For my classes, I have had opportunities of playing with several types of social media for my classes like YouTube, blogger.com and Instagram.
For my personal growth using social media in my teaching was a new avenue for me to explore. Since then, I have practiced, practiced and made many mistakes during implementation in the classroom and for my own personal used. For example, I played with several types of colors until I got the correct color on the photograph to use and the written message without offending anyone. I used social media in the form of Instagram to post a reflective writing content. See Instagram link https://www.instagram.com/p/B-UnpfIBd7y/?igshid=1q4jygdc0x0nv Visit my Instagram page stacy.sargent.52
Bibliography
Armstrong, L. (Aug. 20, 2020). Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World. [YouTube].
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBrd_3VMC3c
Bates, A.W. (2015). Teaching in a Digital Age: Guidelines for Designing Teaching and Learning Vancouver BC: Tony Bates Associates Ltd. The Learning Exchange
Branon, R. F., & Essex, C. (2001). Synchronous and asynchronous communication tools in distance education: A survey of instructors. TechTrends. 45, 36. https://doi-org.library.open.uwi.edu/10.1007/BF02763377
Moghavvemi, S., Sulaiman, A., Jaafar, N. I., & Kasem, K. (2018). Social media as a complementary learning tool for teaching and learning: The case of youtube,The International Journal of Management Education, 16 (1), 37-42.
Comments