MINICOURSE IDEA AND LEARNING THEORY CONNECTION
E-mail Etiquette 101
E-mail communication is used in various industries and situations. Working with military students I have seen an influx of service members that have difficulty formulating e-mails, require assistance with writing emails whether it's to their leadership, professor or a general inquiry email. They also have difficulty knowing where to find certain functions such as how to attach files. I want to create a minicourse that assists service members with being able to understand the basics of how to type up an e-mail and differentiate the information needed based on who they are sending the e-mail to so that the e-mail is formatted correctly.
Learning Theories for Minicourse
Connectivism
Connectivism focuses on the use of technology and the social and cultural aspects of learning. This would be a beneficial learning theory to use for my minicourse because I want to be able to focus on the technology aspect so that the service members become comfortable with how to send emails through a variety of e-mail applications. Service members would be able to focus on a variety of e-mail formats, can choose if they want to focus on one more than another like an e-mail to their leadership. Real-world scenarios will be used to make connections and find relevance in what they are learning, practicing. The social aspect is beneficial as well by giving the learners the ability to practice sending e-mails to each other and role-playing because not only is sending an e-mail important but also how you respond to it.
Strengths
Limitations
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Collaborating with other service members to practice and share templates that can be used.
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Encourage service members to research what should be included in an e-mail depending on the scenario.
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Learning can be personalized depending on the service members experiences and needs since they have different jobs.
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Since there are a variety of roles that service members have it may be difficult to have a cohesive format, prevent confusion since some will need to use specific email templates.
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Some service members may not be very comfortable with technology and experience frustration, difficulty.
Activties
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Examples of appropriate of e-mails sent in different areas whether to leadership, to a colleague or to an institution to get something fixed.
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Interacting with other service members through an online forum or video call where they can role play and give feedback to each other.
Andragogy
Andragogy allows learners to experience relevant and authentic learning experiences. This learning theory can be used to ensure that the minicourse allows service members to actively participate. They are wanting to improve their e-mail formatting skills to benefit them in their work and also personal life so they have motivation to learn, do well in the minicourse. Their prior knowledge and experience is valuable to connect with that is being taught.
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The minicourse is created with a specific purpose which is for service members to improve their ability to send e-mails.
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Service members are in control of their learning, can focus on specific aspects.
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Some service members may not be self-directed learners, may lack the motivation.
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Due to their schedules they may have a hard time completing the minicourse.
Strengths
Limitations
Activties
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An interactive assessment where service members need to identify what is incorrect in the e-mail based on a situation that is given to them.
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Being given a scenario and having to create an e-mail from scratch based on the information provided.
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Providing service members moments to self reflect after each module to see what they have learned and what they feel they still need to improve on.