The Report
Drives educational change
Driving educational change is a tall order from such a humble project. Although, if I think outside the box, I can attempt to predict how this project might initiate change.
I predict that educational institutions in the future will not be the main sources of instructional content. With the continued development of network accessible learning objects, initiatives like the open courseware project at MIT, and the millions of good tutorials, instructional blogs, and podcasts that are appearing on the internet every day, I believe that the information will out there for the picking. In fact, an increasing amount of web sites are referred to in online instructional materials already. This site, and the course project itself, could be used by any number of professors, students, self-learners, etc. as they comb the internet for instructional material. Given this trend, allow me to ask the question again. How will this project drive educational change?
The course project can be used as an internet resource to model how to approach the creation of a working online course. This analysis site, which will be linked to the course project, can educate learners and educators to the theory behind the tools. If it helps learners become better learners, or educators to become better online curriculum designers, then this humble project can indeed drive educational change.
At the very least, I will refer my own learners to this site after they have completed the accredited course through NSCC. Too often, learners are left to flounder on their own after the class has ended. An online resource, where learners can revisit their learning materials, at their own pace, and review what they learned, would be a welcome addition. My learners, in addition to the global community, can use this site when they most need it -- on the job. All they need is an internet connect, some time, and the desire.
That's educational change... right? Regardless of your view, send me an email and tell me about it. Just click on the "contact me" button below. (Please, no spam.)