Category: Assignment 1 – Blog Posts

Passive learning involves receiving information without active engagement. B. Listen to lectures and watch videos. Active learning, on the other hand, requires learners to engage with the material, such as participating in discussions, problem-solving activities, or hands-on projects. The course materials can be said to have a good balance of opportunities for passive and active learning. Lectures and readings provide a solid knowledge base, while assignments and discussions allow students to actively engage with the material and apply what they have learned.

Compared to other courses, the balance between passive and active learning depends on the subject and the instructor’s teaching style. But in general, research shows that active learning is more effective at retaining information long-term and developing critical thinking skills. Therefore, courses that combine passive and active learning can provide students with a more balanced learning experience.

H5P is an interactive content authoring tool that allows users to create and share different types of interactive content such as quizzes, interactive videos, presentations, games, etc. We offer a wide range of activities that can be used in a variety of educational situations to improve student engagement and encourage active learning.

Which activities are most helpful in the classroom depends on the trainer and the specific needs of the subject. For example, if a teacher is teaching a language course, interactive videos and dialogue cards help practice speaking and listening skills. If the course focuses on history or geography, timeline and map activities help students visualize and understand historical or geographic events.

As for the activity that requires the most resources to create, it depends on the activity’s complexity and the author’s familiarity with her H5P authoring tools. Activities that involve creating custom graphics, animations, or complex interactions may require more time and expertise. However, H5P offers a user-friendly interface and various templates and examples to help creators create interactive content quickly and easily. 

There are several guidelines that should be in place to guide the use of AI applications in educational institutions. Firstly, the use of AI applications should be transparent, with clear explanations of how they work and how they are being used. Secondly, the use of AI applications should be ethical, with careful consideration given to issues such as data privacy and bias. Thirdly, the use of AI applications should be inclusive, with consideration given to how they may impact different groups of students. Factors that should be considered include the purpose of the AI application, the data it uses, the algorithms it employs, and the potential impact it may have on students. Educational institutions should also consider the potential benefits and risks of using AI applications, as well as their costs and resources required to implement and maintain them.

The use of AI applications in education can create a more inclusive learning experience by providing personalized learning experiences tailored to individual student needs. This can be especially beneficial for students with learning disabilities or language barriers. AI applications can also help to identify areas where students may need additional support, allowing teachers to provide targeted interventions. However, some students may be excluded from the benefits of AI applications, such as those who do not have access to technology or who have limited digital literacy skills. There is also a risk that AI applications may reinforce existing biases and inequalities, particularly if the algorithms used are not carefully designed and tested.

One of the ethical concerns with the use of AI applications in education is the potential for these tools to reinforce biases or discrimination. AI algorithms can perpetuate existing inequalities, particularly if they are trained on biased data or if they are not carefully tested for potential biases. There is also a risk of data privacy violations if personal data is collected and used without consent or proper security measures in place.

On the other hand, if these tools are designed with ethical considerations in mind, they can provide great benefits to students and educators alike. For example, AI applications can help to identify areas where students need additional support and provide personalized learning experiences that are tailored to individual needs.

Richard E. Mayer’s Multimedia Learning Principles are focused on enhancing learning through the use of multimedia, including consistency, redundancy, continuity, modality, and personalization. In-game support often leverages these principles by providing visual and auditory assistance to players and allowing for personalization through customizable characters or avatars. Merrill’s Education Principles focus on the design and development of education, including activations, demonstrations, applications, integrations, and feedback. In-game support can utilize tutorial levels and instructions to enable prior knowledge, show players how to play the game, give them an opportunity to apply their knowledge, and provide feedback. However, some principles, such as transference and engagement, may be overlooked in games, which can negatively impact the learning experience.

In the context of reducing plastic waste in school cafeterias, the use of media or multimedia can be effective in designing a campaign to encourage the use of reusable containers and utensils. Interactive web-based modules can provide step-by-step guidance and interactive exercises to reinforce learning objectives. Video tutorials can demonstrate effective communication strategies, while virtual reality simulations can provide a realistic environment for students to practice campaign strategies and observe the impact of their actions on the environment and community.

Applying Merrill’s Education Principles, real problems can be presented to challenge students to find solutions. Demonstrations can provide examples of effective communication strategies and best practices for planning and executing campaigns. Students can then apply what they learn in simulated or real-world settings and receive feedback on their performance. Integration can connect learning goals to students’ previous knowledge and future goals, encouraging reflection on the impact of learning and action. Differentiation can be achieved through the use of multiple modalities and formats to accommodate different learning styles and preferences.

Constructive alignment and backward design are course design frameworks commonly used in educational institutions to ensure alignment between intended learning outcomes, teaching and learning activities, and assessment methods. Both frameworks can be effective in designing courses with a clear focus on achieving the intended learning outcomes. However, it is important to ensure consistency between the intended learning outcomes, teaching and learning activities, and assessments to avoid confusion and inconsistency in the learning experience. Therefore, the use of constructive alignment and backward design principles is crucial in designing effective courses

The WAVE report on my blog posts initially confused me as I believed my posts were structured in a way that was easy for everyone to follow. However, after careful review, I was able to identify areas for improvement in terms of clarity and structure. For instance, I realized the importance of organizing reflection questions so that it is clear which is the question and which is the answer.

While reading about the best font for clearer reading, I found it interesting to learn that San Serif is recommended. However, I wonder which font people generally prefer for reading blog posts or in general.

I have had experience with text-to-speech technology before, but I only found it useful when it was first introduced as a feature on the iPhone/Macbook. Back then, my English skills were poor, so I studied English at school by reading audiobooks. Despite some difficulties, I found it helpful because I had good listening skills. When I started using the Read Aloud Chrome extension, I appreciated its accessibility and ease of use. However, the monotonous and difficult-to-hear voice was a drawback.

Thinking about accessibility, I realized that I can contribute to raising awareness of learning barriers by publishing my work, blogs, and websites. I also believe that media and multimedia are great resources in the learning environment. By incorporating different sources and interactive learning methods, post-secondary classes can be more engaging and better understood.

I have also been thinking about what inclusive learning means, and it goes beyond accommodating individuals with disabilities. It involves creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued, regardless of their background or circumstances. To achieve this, we need to identify and eliminate barriers that people may face and make changes to ensure that everyone can participate and learn effectively.

Small changes can make a significant difference in promoting inclusivity, such as making reading materials free and accessible in the library instead of requiring expensive textbooks. We need to reevaluate our approach to inclusive learning design and utilize digital technology and multimedia to create learning environments and materials that are accessible to everyone. By doing so, we can provide different ways for people to engage with the material and make learning more inclusive for all

Hello, my name is sadhik and I am a 22-year-old international student from India currently studying computer science at the University of Victoria in Canada. I also work part-time at a local lottery store to support my studies.

On a typical weekday, I wake up at 7 am and start my day with a quick breakfast before getting ready for my morning classes. I usually take the bus to campus, which takes me about 20 minutes, and attend my lectures and labs until noon.

After my classes are done, I usually head to work at the lottery store, where I work for 4-5 hours per day. My job involves selling tickets, helping customers, and keeping the store clean and organized.

Once I am done with work, I head back to my apartment, where I like to spend some time catching up on my studies and assignments. I also like to stay in touch with my family and friends back in India via video calls and messaging apps.

In the evening, I usually unwind by going for a run or workout at the campus gym. I also enjoy cooking my own meals, which gives me a chance to experiment with different recipes and cuisines.

Before going to bed, I usually spend some time reading or watching a movie, and try to get a good night’s sleep to be ready for the next day. Overall, my days are pretty busy, but I enjoy the challenge of balancing my studies and work, and exploring the new experiences and opportunities that Canada has to offer