Author: Brandon Carson

Design Solution: Using Video-Based Discussion to Build Online Learning Communities

Posted on | by Brandon Carson | 6 Comments on Design Solution: Using Video-Based Discussion to Build Online Learning Communities
A man and a woman using their cellphones.

Please note: This blog post is a course related assessment for the Master of Arts in Learning and Technology program at Royal Roads University. “Learning is not safe. In fact, to learn is to take a risk, to become an aerialist, to put your head in the lion’s mouth. Learning is a death-defying act. And though it takes place largely within the confines of silent classrooms and sterile learning management systems, within the mind of the learner, riots can occur.” (Morris, 2016, para. 40) Context We are professors in post-secondary education, teaching in the fields of skilled trades and digital… Read More

The Great Media Debate: Is It Still Relevant?

Posted on | by Brandon Carson | Leave a Comment on The Great Media Debate: Is It Still Relevant?
A person using a tablet to take a photo of books.

Please note: This blog post is a course related assessment for the Master of Arts in Learning and Technology program at Royal Roads University. For Activity 7, we formed a team as Christy Boyce, Brandon Carson, Andrea Livingstone, David Livingstone and Michael Murray. We were tasked with reading about the ‘great media debate’ in the field of learning and technology through reading the claims of Clark (1994) and Kozma (1994) as they debate whether or not media influence learning. Our second task was to find four articles that were in stark contrast to either Clark or Kozma’s views in the… Read More

Communities of Practice in Higher Education

Posted on | by Brandon Carson | 1 Comment on Communities of Practice in Higher Education
People having a conversation at a table.

Please note: This blog post is a course related assessment for the Master of Arts in Learning and Technology program at Royal Roads University. For assignment 2, I chose the topic of Communities of Practice in Higher Education. As an individual who works in a teaching and learning centre, Communities of Practice are often used to bring people together with a similar interest and with varying levels of knowledge and experience on the topic. With several new technologies being introduced in my workplace, I thought this topic would be appropriate to review the literature on Communities of Practice, to have… Read More

Espalier: A Lesson in Digital Abundance

Posted on | by Brandon Carson | Leave a Comment on Espalier: A Lesson in Digital Abundance
Several digital devices around a table.

Please note: This blog post is a course related assessment for the Master of Arts in Learning and Technology program at Royal Roads University. For Activity 6, my classmate and I explored the implications of abundant content for lifelong learning.For our topic, we chose to learn how to grow a tree along a flat surface in a predetermined pattern. A Google search for “How to grow a tree along a flat surface” led to the discovery that this technique was called ‘espalier’. Feeling inspired and informed, we used this term to search further. The photo below shows the ‘Images’ from… Read More

My theoretical and pedagogical stance

Posted on | by Brandon Carson | 1 Comment on My theoretical and pedagogical stance
Two people working on laptops and writing on paper.

Please note: This blog post is a course related assessment for the Master of Arts in Learning and Technology program at Royal Roads University. After reading through the theoretical positions described by Ertmer and Newby (2013) and Merrill (2002), I struggled on selecting one position. The principles outlined by Merrill (2002, p. 43) of “(a) Learning is promoted when learners are engaged in solving real-world problems. (b) Learning is promoted when existing knowledge is activated as a foundation for new knowledge. (c) Learning is promoted when new knowledge is demonstrated to the learner. (d) Learning is promoted when new knowledge… Read More

Dr. Roland van Oostveen

Posted on | by Brandon Carson | Leave a Comment on Dr. Roland van Oostveen
Ontario Tech University

Please note: This blog post is a course related assessment for the Master of Arts in Learning and Technology program at Royal Roads University. Dr. van Oostveen is the Director of the Educational Informatics Laboratory (EILab) and the Director of the Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies and Digital Technology (ESDT) at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) (Educational Informatics Lab, 2017a). I chose Dr. van Oostveen due to his work in the field of online learning and my knowledge of his work through being a graduate of the ESDT program. Dr. van Oostveen was my first professor… Read More

The History of Learning Management Systems

Posted on | by Brandon Carson | 3 Comments on The History of Learning Management Systems
A monitor displaying code.

Please note: This blog post is a course related assessment for the Master of Arts in Learning and Technology program at Royal Roads University. After reading Watters (2014), I took time to reflect on what timeline would interest me most. With the variety of Learning Management Systems (LMS) I have supported in my role and used as a student, I thought it would be interesting to map out a timeline of some of the most used LMS in the higher education sector. Please review the timeline below, and comment on any dates that surprise you in the timeline. [advanced_iframe src=”//cdn.knightlab.com/libs/timeline3/latest/embed/index.html?source=1wP0-EJViONrandRz3VdTKgEvSdrKFRXjtzHy4_XYug0&font=Default&lang=en&initial_zoom=2&height=650″… Read More

Reviewing and reflecting on the field of Instructional Design and Technology

Posted on | by Brandon Carson | 4 Comments on Reviewing and reflecting on the field of Instructional Design and Technology

Please note: This blog post is a course related assessment for the Master of Arts in Learning and Technology program at Royal Roads University. Reiser’s (2001) articles A History of Instructional Design and Technology: Part I: A History of Instructional Media and A History of Instructional and Design and Technology: Part II: A History of Instructional Design discussed the history of instructional design and instructional technology in the United States of America. Like other readings from this course, I enjoyed these articles, as it allowed for more insight into this ever-changing field. The biggest surprise from the readings was uncovering… Read More

The History of Educational Technology

Posted on | by Brandon Carson | 2 Comments on The History of Educational Technology
A robot holding a tablet.

Please note: This blog post is a course related assessment for the Master of Arts in Learning and Technology program at Royal Roads University. The field of educational technology goes back further than most people realize. When some people think of technology, they think of a computer powered device, where in reality, items such as pencils and paper were at one point new technologies that changed the landscape of education. While researching this topic, I reviewed several academic journals, YouTube videos, and websites. The reading that related to me the most though is a book titled Teaching in a Digital… Read More