Curating BIG Learning Environment Design Challenges

Curating BIG Learning Environment Design Challenges

Challenge #1: Motivating Faculty to Change—moving out of a teaching comfort zone

This article from the Huffington Post address motivation and leadership in higher education and it references three “innate psychological needs” as identified by Daniel Pink for human motivation: autonomy, master and purpose.   Ensuring faculty that autonomy can be preserved, they can master the technology and/or new teaching practices and that such change has a tremendous impact on shaping higher education is an asset for motivating change.
 

Resource: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/benjamin-knoll/motivational-psychology-in-universities_b_5242232.html

Challenge #2: Connecting learning activities with real world applications

We live in a project based world starting in elementary school to highschool and beyond to all levels in higher education.  One would assume educational projects would make meaningful connections with real world applications.  Sadly, this is often not the result and I will make the generalization that the effort to make such connections declines with each year of education. Yes, there are the exceptional examples at all levels and I applaud those!  My concern is the focusing on learning experiences that engage learners and prepare them for success upon graduation.  This resource provides a chapter focused on making 10 kinds of real-world connections. I appreciate the examples and depth shared in this chapter. 

Resource: http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/102112/chapters/Making_a_Real-World_Connection.aspx

Challenge #3: Adding your teaching personality in an online course

Taking time to find creative ways to add your teaching personality to an online course will enhance a good teaching strategy, inspire student engagement, and extend interest in the subject matter.  This article from Faculty Focus touches on these benefits and more.

Resource: http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/personality-matters-when-teaching-online/

Challenge #4: Adapting to learners with disabilities – moving the needle of awareness and change

As we move more and more learning content online, the challenge to provide accessible access increases.  I understand the challenges including time and resources that place a drag on catching up old content to meet the current standards.  I am dismayed at the new content from publishers, educators, government and all other entities that provide online content.  This blog resource talks about moving the needle and what it might take to get the wheels of change rolling.  I am also including the link to WebAim.org as another valuable resource.

Resources: http://webaim.org/blog/moving-the-needle-of-change/

http://webaim.org/