Def of tutor matters
Mastery of learning = next best thing
–> critiques
–> control groups, tests

Constructivism seems to matter > situated cognition
Frequency of feedback
Tutoring happens via tests?
Small changes?
Human potential (and agency)

What we wonder about technology platforms

what problem are you solving?
–>formal/admin/access
–>Learning
Teacher & learner roles
Is tech a tool or is it driving common practice?
Number of conversations/day
Diversity/variety of courses
What do we mean by education? Learning models
Right tool, right activity

For next the week’s reflection:

Pretend you are the decision maker and are putting in place a toolbox

what are the characteristics?

how do you explain/defend to a townhall mtg?

if its too easy and too open does it encourage shovelware? (M. David Merrill)
does the accessibility of the web facilitate or encourage the less effective kinds of instructional practice? does instructional design/teacher behavior matter that much?

if its too restrictive toward a learning theory or strategy, does it frustrate, or conquer new approaches?

individual ownership, lifelong learning

As I begin the pilot of our WordPress MU installation for Utah Valley University, questions naturally arise as to expected usage of the system. This led to the idea of running a short survey for students, faculty, and staff that asks if and how they would use such a community publishing platform. I then wondered if students or faculty who already had a blog would use the institutional system as a blog, whether in addition to or as a replacement for their own (even if only to meet a course requirement). This, of course, led me back to the idea of “creepy treehouses“ (A term I have consciously avoided over the past year), and set me to rethink the survey to ask the following primary question:

How do (students’ | faculty | staff) attitudes toward institutional learning and communication systems differ from attitudes toward informal learning and communication systems?

This isn’t nearly as relevant to the WPMU system as originally intended, but I do expect to be able to address the system through this survey without overwhelming participants. Some of the survey questions that pop into mind ask about personal use of social media, perceptions of institutional technology, relevance of both toward learning, perceived efficiency for learning, likelihood of using new institutional technology, etc.

I’m posting this here in case any readers (who I haven’t lost yet through neglect) have ideas on how to keep this useful while maintaining a sharp focus. Suggested questions are, of course, welcome.