Goal 1
500: Study critique
The objective of this assignment was to apply critical thinking skills through analyzing published research in the field of educational technology. The requirements included identifying, describing, and evaluating major research components such as research purpose, questions, sample, results, and limitations. This assignment helped me improve my critical thinking skills. It allowed me to hone an essential skill which is how to closely read research and successfully determine its merit. One thing that was really advantageous about that experience is that I got to choose a study in a topic I was very much interested in at the time: gamification and GBL in online learning environments. This artifact presents the very first strong pillar on which rests the entirety of my MET journey. It aligns with GOAL 1 because it equipped me with a necessary skill (critical thinking), which helped me to accomplish GOAL 1 (critically examine academic literature in the field), that I have used continuously in successive MET courses. Moreover, it enabled me to realize that I need to always keep a critical, thinking, and questioning mind not just in my academic life, but in my professional and personal lives as well. This is a particularly important skill in the field of educational technology because it is a rapidly developing field and as educators and consumers we are bombarded with tons of new technologies everyday and with plenty of research that claims the effectiveness of said technologies.
512: Mind map
The objective of this assignment was to design a mind map that showcases the major learning theories covered in the course and how they connect with each other. I am a highly visual learner. I always tend to find visual methods to organize knowledge. It helps me not only reinforce understanding, but also draw clearer and stronger connections between concepts and themes. Designing this mind map was a blast because it allowed me to do just that. I gained a deeper understanding of different learning theories and the literature that discusses them, and I was able to discover how they can be linked to each other and how they affect the construction of knowledge in online environments. It aligns with GOAL 1 since it helped me strengthen my theoretical foundation, expand my content knowledge even further, and examine academic literature about the application of learning theories in online environments in more depth, and express it in a creative visual method.
544: Annotated bibliography
The objective of this assignment was to summarize and evaluate two research papers. This assignment allowed me to dig deeper into an area of interest of mine back then (gamification and GBL). The challenge it presented me with was to write concisely. I admit I was struggling with this, but fortunately, this assignment gave me the opportunity to develop this skill and work repeatedly until I achieved the desired outcomes. It took so much patience and persistent and consistent practice but I finally did it. With the skills I gained from ETEC 500, I was able to critically evaluate the research. I am glad I was able to concisely and succinctly summarize it because this skill proved to be invaluable in successive MET courses. It aligns with GOAL 1 as it strengthened my theoretical foundation and enriched my knowledge in a specific area in the field of educational technology that I found intriguing at the time.
Not only did these artifacts help me achieve GOAL 1, but they also were very vigorous experiences that taught me essential academic and professional skills that include but not limited to critical thinking, concise writing, and creative expression. Now I can ensure that my professional decisions in any future ID or LXD I undertake are firmly grounded in sound scientific research.
Goal 2
524: Design of a learning unit
The objective of this assignment was to design a learning unit hosted in an LMS environment and that includes components such as syllabus, assessment, communication, and multimedia resources. This project was an incredible hands-on opportunity to learn and apply instructional design skills, and selection and implementation of multimedia and educational technologies skills, which were all based on theoretical models and frameworks that continue to influence and inspire me. I consider it a turning point because it was when I took this course that I discovered I enjoy instructional design and LXD and I see myself successfully holding an educational role outside the classroom. An advantage that this project had was being an individual assignment; I had plenty of time to focus on my own professional growth and progress, and identity-development. I am proud of my achievements in this project. It took tremendous efforts and immense patience, commitment, hard work, flexibility, critical thinking, and problem solving skills to achieve the successful outcome I achieved in this project. It directly and clearly aligns with GOAL 2. [considering making a better video]
510: Design of a learning environment
The objective of this project was to collaboratively design a technology-supported learning environment. It is one of the biggest design projects I had in my MET journey. The requirements included deciding the target audience, objectives, instructional strategies and theoretical underpinnings, and creating multimedia resources, assessment, and most importantly, the platform that hosts the environment. This was another amazing hands-on opportunity to expand and practice my design skills. The special thing about this project is that it was collaborative. Being part of a design team offers multiple viewpoints and numerous wonderful experiences that can all be employed together to create an efficient, engaging, and sustainable learning environment. My decision-making skills improved greatly, and I became more confident in my educational technology skills. Moreover, I developed my collaboration and communication skills. This artifact aligns with GOAL 2.
544: Game design project
The objective of this project was to collaboratively design a digital game that could be used in an educational context. This also was a big, vigorous, long-term project. The ideation process taught me how to be comfortable with experimenting with multiple ideas and failing and trying again until the right idea is found. The creation process taught me how to trust team-members and accommodate their viewpoints. It also showed me a clear picture of how complex the process of game design is. This assignment completely transformed my attitude towards digital games and perspective on their educational potential. Additionally, this project was an opportunity to hone my collaboration and communication skills. I became a better listener, and my ability to manage projects grew considerably. This artifact aligns with GOAL 2.
Goal 3
522: Venture pitch
The objective of this assignment was to create a very convincing, well-researched, and credible venture pitch that presents an innovative educational technology venture to potential investors. This experience was a thrilling ride with its multiple exhilarating ups and frustrating downs. It was an invigorating exercise for my critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity. I have gained a profound understanding of educational technologies from the business angle. I was able to see and experience how educational technology tools are envisioned and prototyped. Delving deep into the success (and failure) stories of ed tec startups taught me plenty about how I can best present my ideas convincingly to potential investors or stakeholders and how I can make a compelling argument and communicate it clearly to my audience. My professionalism and prioritization skills grew significantly thanks to this project. One thing I could have done better here is to have created a prototype of my application idea so it would be clearer to the target audience. This artifact aligns with GOAL 3 because through it, I was able to identify and critically understand certain educational needs and create a solution to fulfill those needs.
523: Mobile Forum
The objective of this assignment was to ”author and publish an original media property that presages a prospective future aspect or dimension of mobility.” (Vogt, n.d.). The assignment gave us the options to ”present a potential solution to an existing problem, predict a transformation of practice, scope an opportunity, specify a needed technology, describe a new application, or employ any other structured introduction to a desired future” (Vogt, n.d.). I was particularly interested in identifying a problem or need in education, and then working on innovating a solution to that problem using ed tec. I was keenly interested in the challenges learners of a second or foreign language face with the speaking skill. I had an intense experience researching facts, synthesizing knowledge, analyzing possible solutions, stretching my imagination, experimenting with different ed tec tools, and creating an engaging presentation to convey my vision. My creativity was expanded and my understanding of the power mobile technologies have and their possible future impact on education grew tremendously. This artifact aligns with GOAL 3.
511: Digital Labor IP
The objective of this assignment was to creatively reflect on my critical understanding of a foundational issue of technology: Digital Labor. Without such understanding, the use of technology could be detrimental and counterproductive, especially in a serious and sensitive area as education. The amount of readings and their level of complexity was truly remarkable and had a substantial impact on my awareness and technology consumption habits. Finding the right form and medium for this individual intellectual production was a challenge that I did not take lightly. I wanted this to be truly original, creative, and as the assignment requirements dictate, a balance between fun and informative. I am glad to say I succeeded in my endeavors. My future efforts, I hope, will be focused on how this issue could be alleviated or solved altogether and how I can play my part in that. This artifact aligns with GOAL 3 as it enabled me to understand a critical tec issue and motivated me to try to innovate a solution for it.
542: Virtual ethnography
The objective of this assignment was to conduct an ethnography for a virtual culture on an online platform of our choice to strengthen our understanding of online cultures, the rules that govern their members’ behaviors, demographics, issues, and language. I had an amazing experience doing this. It was so eye-opening and very fun to observe people’s behaviors online with an analytical mind that aims at understanding the role culture plays in how people learn and interact in VLEs (virtual learning environments). This assignment was one of the very essential first steps towards understanding how culturally-responsive VLEs can be created. It aligns with GOAL 3 as it enabled me to understand a significant issue pertaining to e-learning and put me on the right path to start focusing on innovating methods and strategies to integrate the culturally-responsive and inclusivity components in instructional design.
Safa'a Abusa'a 