What is the significance of knowing the technology available to you?
As an instructor you will need to become familiar with the course management system (CMS) that your institute uses (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010). “Some of the most used systems in higher education are Blackboard, Desire2Learn, Moodle, WebStudy, and Sakai” (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010). The following chart list the basic skills an instructor needs to tackle prior to the course begins.
| Table 4.1 (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010) |
|---|
Basic Skills and Tools for using a Course Management System |
| 1. Requesting or arranging for a course template |
2. Uploading document and pictures |
| 3. Updating and revising documents |
| 4. Setting up and creating discussion forums |
| 5. Setting up and using the grade book |
| 6. Setting up teams and groups |
Why is it essential to communicate clear expectations to learners?
Clear guidelines about what is expected of the learner need to be communicated and make a significant impact in student understanding and satisfaction in an online course (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010).
The course rubric has eight sections that address the key elements of online courses (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010).
| Course overview and Introduction | Learning objectives and outcomes |
| Assessment and Measurement | Resources and Materials |
| Learner Interaction | Course technology |
| Learner Support | Accessibility |
Example of clearly communicating teacher expectations prior to the course.
What additional considerations should the instructor take into account when setting up an online learning experience?
Presences
As an instructor you need to create a presence socially, teaching, and cognitive the presence of the instructor increases the success of the learning environment (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010). Initiating a getting to know me and you post at the beginning of the course helps to establish community. This non-academic process enables students to relate to you and to their peers and feel less isolation as an online student.
Know Students Individually
You not only want to know students in the social context of their lives you want to know what they know and what they want to learn when they complete the course (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010).
Weekly Rhythm
Regular weekly assignments and activities keep students engaged with teh course content. A weekly schedule makes expectations clear and helps students plan their daily personal and work lives (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010).
Discussion Boards
Learners process, analyze, and make connections among ideas this is what changes the learners knowledge and rustructures their brain (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010). The activities help students think deeper about the material and synthesize the information.
Other Things to Consider
Are kids different because of digital media?
How do we understand the learning styles of the Net Generation?
What are the best practices in online learning and teaching?
What is the Next Geneartion Learning? Check out this exciting video created by a student in the UK and see how exciting technology in the classroom can be. Technology makes learning faster, more enjoyable, engaging, can keep all work for future reference, you can not be prepared for the jobs of tomorrow with knowledge of technology. Students who use technology and stay abreast of current trends in the market place are more employable than students who are taught in a traditional educational environment.
Works Cited
Learning Styles of the Net Generation. (2009, March 1). Retrieved March 20, 2011, from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzX21oQx94w
Boettcher, J. V., & Conrad, R.-M. (2010). The Online Teaching Survival Guide. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Higher Education.
Conrad, R. &. (2004). Engaging the Online Learner. San Fransisco: Jossey-Bass.
Foundation, T. M. (2006, December 18). Are kids different because of digital media? Retrieved March 20, 2011, from YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-PT3vEjw5g
Insidethecomputer. (2008, January 11). Best Practices in Online Learning and Teaching. Retrieved March 20, 2011, from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIu8e3I67HQ
Nextgenlearning. (2009, May 11). What is Next Generation Learning? Retrieved March 11, 2011, from YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dBT9mmizL8
Schmidt, S. P. (2007, February 25). Distance Learning- It's Real Education. Retrieved March 20, 2011, from youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an8rZyqCXW0
Hi Crystal,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the video that you linked to by Dr. Schmidt. I agreed with the way he started out by emphasizing that the online learning expectations were the same as a traditional classroom (but with a twist, of course). I think that there are still many people out there who do not look at online learning as something that they would like to do. However, I think that the number of online learners is increasing and that every instructor should keep a video of expectations in their toolbox.
Great post,
Serena
Hello Crystal,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Serena, you presented a great post. I thought that you brought up a very interesting point about kids and the digital age.
My son is 21 years old, he currently takes his classes in a blended and online fashion. I must say that he has adapted pretty well to taking his classes this way. I, on the other, it took me ages to get my online classes down to a science. I can only imagine that when my son's kids take their classes, all classes will probably be in some form of an online venue that will be very foreign to the both of us.
Thanks,
ReplyDeleteI solicited opions from peers at work regarding our current use of technology at our very large high school compared to what is practiical for students. We all agreed the use of technology in our school is well below that of many other districts in the surrounding area. Many schools in the area are using kindles, netbooks and checking computers out to students for entire semesters.
In comparisson, we have old computer that take as long as 15minutes to upload student profiles and laptops, kindles, netbooks are not allowed unless for project and are very limited in quantiy or non existant. Many insturctors on our campus do have SmartBoards but none of the instructos on campus have adequate training to utilize them to their fullest capacity. Most are sitting unused or used as for projection and simple applications only.
Watching the videos of how the United Kingdom is working on adding technology to all levels of education and enhancing the student curriculm inspired me. I wish in our own schools we would capture the students interest through technology and not continue to lose them with 100 year old idealizm.
Crystal
Hi Crystal,
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned that the instructor’s role is critical to the success of the learning community. As a future online instructor, this course is giving me and I am sure everyone else not only a clear view of the role we play, but how it is important to keep our students actively engaged in learning.
The videos you included in your posting are great. In our school district, we are starting to get the technology, however people are not utilizing it to its fullest. Your video gives us hope. Great Posting,
Karen