1

Laura Howard
OMDE 610 9040
3/22/16
Beginning Journal Entry 10 (Module 4)

What I would want to learn in Module 4 (University of Maryland University College,

2016).

The module 4 objectives (University of Maryland, University College, 2016) look interesting
to read about and examine. I am curious to learn about Connectivism and how it is different or
similar to other theories, such as OCL and constructivism. I remember learning the basics about
connectivism in a previous class, but I feel that this class will go into greater detail, analysis and
application of that theory in an online environment. It would be ideal to learn more about how
connectivism can be integrated in an online environment. I am also curious to know what type of
details we will be going into on examining the community component, as mentioned in the
module 4 objectives (University of Maryland University College, 2016). I also noticed that one
of our tasks, from the module 4 course content
(https://learn.umuc.edu/d2l/le/content/124340/Home), is to register in a MOOC. I do not think I
have ever done that before, so that should be an interesting experience. I think module 4 will be
challenging, but very informative.
I am almost finished with reading the Harasim (2012) chapter 7 and I have really learned
a lot, so far. I learned about the process of conducting an online seminar, as described from the
Harasim (2012) example. I do not have any experience with conducting or developing one, so I
think the information about it is very valuable to know. One of the pedagogical examples, I really
liked the idea of using, is an online voting tool as mentioned in the Harasim (2012) chapter 7. I

have had some good previous experience with using online voting tool in another UMUC class. I
would like to learn more pedagogical ways of using tools like that in online environment. Based
on the other information from the Harasim (2012) chapter, I really think that the most
challenging part is working and coordinating with the other group members to make decisions,
as described is one of the essential tasks by Harasim (2012). This is because everyone could have
different ways and ideas of incorporating what they think is useful and/or valuable, which is also
described in the Harasim (2007) chapter. Harasim (2012) explains some good pedagogical ways
to work as a group (Harasim, 2012), so I would like to continuing learning more on that subject.
Although the Harasim (2012) chapter 7 was a shorter chapter, it gave a lot of useful information.

References
Harasim, L. (2012). OCL pedagogies in practice. Learning theory and online technologies. (pp.
109-123). New York & United Kingdom: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
University of Maryland University College. (2016). OMDE 610 9040 Teaching and learning in
online distance education (2162) OMDE-610 [Course syllabus]. OMDE 610-9040,
Spring 2016, [Teaching and learning in online distance education (2162) OMDE-610].
Master of Distance Education and E-learning, University of Maryland University
College, Retrieved from
https://learn.umuc.edu/d2l/le/content/124340/viewContent/5442289/View