Learning Objects

Basically the learning object is any resource that can be utilized to assist in the learning process. The different economy types is what creates the division of how material is gained. I have always heard that teachers are their own valuable resource. Someone always has dealt with the lesson or issue that you are struggling with. Sharing experiences, reflections and lesson plans makes it easier on the next person and allows the student to gain more from the interaction. The web has created a wealth of information that we can tap into to be better teachers by using additional content in order to help students with the various learning styles.

Cognitive Flexibility Theory

I thought this theory was representative of my daily struggle to connect with my students. They are so accustomed to their own perceptions that when a new concept is introduced and it should be an extension of what they already know, they either give up or struggle with learning how to combine it with their prior knowledge. This method offers a bridge between the gap. It tends to define for the student their definition of the material and then identifies similarities between the old and the new context. Once the student is open to seeing the link between the two, you can then move forward to a new emphasis to create a learning experience.

The medical examples that were presented were good examples of how this concept works. I have been thinking of a way to use this in a business or technology example and create a web-based interaction. I will look at some of the cases in our text to see if this can be supported by this theory. My concern is how much time can I dedicate to fully see this theory unfold.

Case Based Learning Methods & Reasoning Model

The simple message of this method is "Don't re-invent the wheel". Typically, there is always a precedent for a teaching moment or instructional hurdle. I tend to speak with veteran teachers and use the yahoo group to get ideas on how to proceed in some situations. Not only only do I get great ideas but I also get another perspective to the issue that I usually had not considered.

Using cases is one of the best ways in the business education class to make a relevant connection for my students. In the past, this has held their interest and led to good discussions about solutions to problems. I had not used technology to present the cases and this would certainly increase the retention for my students. We often break up in groups and they are assigned various cases and they discuss and present any possible solutions to the class.
Adding a technological component and possibly a simulation would definitely increase the participation of my students.