Monthly Archives: September 2013

Online Learning

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Technology     

          Technology is a fantastic tool when you are capable of utilizing it properly.  As an instructor it is very important to understand the tools available to you (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010).  This can make your course more interactive and engaging.  If you are unfamiliar with the technology, it can make your course harder for your students.  In fact, I often have students in my classes who complain about teachers who do not know how to use the technology they ask students to utilize.  Additionally, I work with teachers who could make their classes easier by utilizing technology appropriately.  In an online course this need becomes magnified (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010).  Instructors must be able to help students with the technology that they choose to use.  If they cannot, credibility can become an issue.  As an instructor, I always test new technology several times before deploying it with my students.

Communication

                Communication is the key to creating a successful online environment.  It is important for the instructor’s presence to be felt by students early and often (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010).  The best way to keep students from feeling isolated is to communicate with them throughout the course (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010).  Some instructors prefer e-mails while others work via discussion threads.  The one thing that I have learned is that it does not matter what method you utilize as long as your students feel connected to you on a personal and social level.

Key Points                

                Every time I take an online course, I learn something new about online learning.  One of the things that surprised me this week was the importance of introductory activities.  Getting acquainted with each other and setting up a positive learning community are top priority for the beginning two weeks of an online course (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010).  When working in my online courses I will focus on the themes of presence, community, patience and clear expectations (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010).  While accomplishing these things, I will be cognizant of my role as the instructor.  I am the guide on the side, not sage on the stage (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010). 

References

Boettcher, J. V., & Conrad, R. (2010). The online teaching survival guide: Simple and practical pedagogical tips. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Laureate Education, Inc. (2012). Online Learning Communities.  [Video webcast]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flaunche

Online Learning Environments

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ImageOnline learning is equivalent to face-to-face learning courses.  However, the online learning community has a significant impact on both student learning and satisfaction with the course.  Dr. Rena Palloff explains that an online learning community allows us to support each other in the learning process and co-construct knowledge and meaning.  Dr. Keith Pratt believes that we can also challenge each other and help each other grow by drawing things out of each other and correct each other in a way that the instructor cannot.  According to Dr. Palloff, student perception of learning increases and outcomes are must stronger (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010). 

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The online learning community requires five elements:  people, purpose, process, interaction and presence (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010).  This means that an online learning community must have students and an instructor that interact with each other.  Additionally, there must be a reason for the interaction.  In our case, this would be a Master’s Degree in Instructional Design.  Finally, there must be a process or delivery of the course.  This is usually accomplished via a LMS or CMS, in our case, Blackboard.  Each course is divided into weeks with specific activities for each week.  These activities require interaction as part of the assignments.  That ensures interactivity throughout the entire course.

An online learning community can be sustained via interactivity.  Students must be present in the online learning environment (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010).  They are no longer passive knowledge-absorbers, but active knowledge generators (Conrad & Donaldson, 2011).  This means that groups are less than twenty and activities require a high degree of interaction (Conrad & Donaldson, 2011).  The instructor is a facilitator who keeps the students engaged by guiding the discussion (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010).

Image                Community building is the hallmark of effective online instruction.  The student’s role as an engaged learner develops over time (Conrad & Donaldson, 2011).  The faculty’s role becomes that of a mentor and a member of the community (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010).  The guide on the side is responsible for setting the tone, but the students build the actual community.  Everyone is responsible for providing a positive learning environment (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010).  In this environment, students can thrive and education occurs that is equivalent to the traditional learning environments.

 

References

Boettcher, J. V., & Conrad, R. (2010). The online teaching survival guide: Simple and practical pedagogical tips. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Conrad, R., & Donaldson, J. A. (2011). Engaging the online learner: Activities and resources for creative instruction (Updated ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Laureate Education, Inc. (2010).  “Online learning communities.”  Retrieved from: https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_3466249_1%26url%3D