Digital Tools

5317 Discussion 2

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The concept of data-driven analytics and decision-making appeals to me very much. As advisors, we often run from one fire/crisis to another. Stepping into a leadership role in an advising office makes me reflect on the whirlwind discussed during the Four Disciplines of Execution (McChesney & Huling, 2012) in the Organizational Change course (EDLD 5304). It seems there is just never time to reflect on, re-evaluate the effectiveness of, re-group, and collaborate on what is working and what is not. Salman Khan’s dashboard-style data would be valuable if applied to advising topics and discussions and allow feedback and clarity of the materials covered in micro-lecture formats (2011).

I strongly believe that digital learning provides an opportunity to completely shift the nature of the advising relationship and the role peers and community can play in supporting each other’s motivation and success. We can utilize the digital tools at our fingertips and those we have not even imaged yet to create a significant learning environment (advising relationship) out of the significant learning environment (university life). I have enjoyed the value of concise lecture formats when they are effective. I have also benefited from the sometimes vague instructions that leave us wondering when, where, and how we will learn a new skill (for those like me who came to this program without a digital skillset). Canva has been very helpful throughout the creative process by allowing the combination of words and audio, voice and text. Canva offers the ability to utilize the materials in multiple formats which I prefer to post various options for my learners’ preferences to be met. For example, I might use a video I created in Canva, but I will also post the script and slideshow. I understand the value of having multiple formats and the freedom to choose delivery based on my learning preferences and needs. 

Reflecting on the value of video feedback, this is one aspect I had not previously considered bringing into my learning community here in the ADL program, nor into my innovation ideas. I have not received constructive video feedback since my first semester in the program. It helped build a trusted relationship with Dr. H because the real-time review and feed-forward allowed me to visualize clarity issues from another person’s perspective. I never realized how valuable those might be to students in a flipped advising situation. Now I see that real-time reviews and feed-forward messages of encouragement and a growth mindset in times of struggle might be the gentle nudge some students need to explore support options and seek help. 

Reference

Khan, S. (2011, March). Let’s use video to reinvent education [Video]. TED Talks. https://www.ted.com/talks/salman_khan_let_s_use_video_to_reinvent_education?language=en#t-149503

McChesney, C., Covey, S., & Huling, J. (2012). The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals (1st ed.). Free Press.

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Communicating Ideas

In this next section of content, after selecting journals and developing rough drafts that can be submitted for publication, the next learning outcome is to

• “… explore and evaluate media resources to assess the most effective way to communicate ideas” (Module 2-6 Outcome/Goal 2).

Participate in a class discussion in which you begin by addressing the following issues/questions:

• What audio and video applications can you use to help you create powerful presentations or demonstrate your personal learning? What video or audio tool are you already are working with and why? What other tools can you consider?
  • Canva has been very helpful throughout the creative process. Allowing the combination of words and audio, voice and text along with multiple format posting options. I will often use a video but still post the associated slideshow.
  • Vlogs, youtube podcast discussions would be another great way to demonstrate and document personal learning.
• If you haven’t already done so explore using a screencasting or audio tool to offer feedforward to your peers and learning community. Consider how you can incorporate using screencasting in your instructional setting. Consider the feedforward you have been receiving in this course and review and discuss Feedforward Vs. Feedback post at – http://www.harapnuik.org/?p=8273
  • I have not received constructive video feedback since my first semester in the program. I feel that it helped build a trusted relationship with Dr. H because the real-time review and feed-forward allowed me to visualize clarity issues from another person’s perspective. I have grown to crave the feed-forward the learning community of this ADL program provides. It is very lonely here at the finish line of a non-accelerated path to program completion. I see how and why the bonds between our cohort members were so strong. We valued one another’s honest feed-forward and perspective to help our innovation plans grow. Seeing so many of those classmates still live their innovation is exciting.
  • I never realized how valuable those might be to students in a flipped advising situation. I understood the value of having multiple formats and the freedom to choose delivery. Still, now I see that real-time reviews and feed forward messages of encouragement and a growth mindset in times of struggle might be the gentle nudge some students need to explore support options and seek help.