Setting up an online environment is critical to creating a positive
learning experience. While there are a number of issues to consider, I will
focus on three areas, namely, the need to understand the technology and
learning environment, the need to communicate clear expectations to learners, and
other special considerations that the instructor need to take into account.
What is the
significance of knowing the technology available to you?
Technology plays a critical role in online
learning because it “mediates the separation between teacher and learner”
(Sumner, 2000, p. 271) and helps to provide online learners with equivalent
learning experiences to face to face learning environments (Simonson, n.d.). It is
therefore important for the instructor (and the learner) to have an
appreciation of technologies used in online learning environments and to
develop skills to use these technologies effectively.
While it might neither be practicable nor desirable to acquire all the knowledge
and make use of all the available technological tools at once, there are some
essential tools that the instructor needs to be conversant with. Essential tools highlighted by Boettcher and Conrad (2010)
include the following: course management systems; email and discussion boards; audio
and video resources; web 2.0 tools such as blogs, wikis and media sharing
sites; plagiarism detection software.
Why is it
essential to communicate clear expectations to learners?
Communicating clear expectations to learners helps to give them a sense
of direction in an environment where they are largely responsible for their
learning. The syllabus and weekly teaching (and learning) guide are examples of
important communication tools. Although the syllabus performs the same function
as in the face to face environment, the online syllabus clearly “sets out the
overall course plan with performance goals, learning outcomes and requirements”
(Boettcher and Conrad, 2010, p. 64).
What additional
considerations should the instructor take into account when setting up an
online learning experience?
One
important consideration that the instructor should take into account is the
need to ensure that the learners are engaged from the beginning. There is need
to build a learning community and establish social presence. Social presence helps to improve learner comfort levels and the sense of
being around other participants (Palloff & Pratt, 2005). An activity that can be used to
open lines of communication in a learning community is an icebreaker (Conrad
and Donaldson, 2011).
References
Boettcher, J. V., & Conrad, R. (2010). The online
teaching survival guide: Simple and San Francisco , CA
Conrad, R., & Donaldson, J. A. (2011). Engaging the online learner: Activities and resources
instruction (Updated
ed.). San Francisco , CA
Palloff, R.
& Pratt, K. (2005). Online learning communities revisited. 21st
annual conference on distance earning and teaching. Retrieved from
01.pdf
Simonson,
M. (Walden University
Sumner,
J. (2000). Serving
the system: a critical history of distance education. Open Learning, 15(3). Retrieved from http://pages.towson.edu/bsadera/istc717/modules05/module8/3888263.pdf
Hello Hilery,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog post and I agree that technology, the learning environment and communication clear expectations are critical to the online learning environment.
Technology does play a critical part in providing online learners with equivalent learning experiences to face to face learning, but instructors should also take into consideration that over using technology can be bad as well. Instructors should select technological tools based on the learning objectives. Sometimes the simplest approach is the best approach.
You stated "Communicating clear expectations to learners helps to give them a sense of direction in an environment where they are largely responsible for their learning". This so true, I have been in courses were the expectations were not clearly communicated and the resulting debacle was awful. As an instructor I will always make sure that my online students are engaged early in the course and that my expectations are not just outlined in the syllabus, I plan to use weekly video messages as well. This will make the learning environment great for all.
Hilary, thank you for your post. It is interesting teaching an online class on how to teach an online class. Of course there is an ideal the texts and videos set for us to strive for, and we all try to step up to that ideal but will inevitably fall short - we're all human, just trying to do our best. Without giving away any particular details (instructor or course, etc.), what has been your experience? Have some of your online courses come close to the idea? Have some failed miserably matching up with the ideal? Just curious about your experiences in this regard.
ReplyDeleteDr. Pratt,
DeleteThanks for your question. Up until I enrolled with Walden, I had not been an online student. One of the things that motivated me is the notion that gaining experience as an online learner would help me to teach effectively online. My experiences with the ten courses that I have taken (including the current course) have been very fruitful. The content, facilitation by instructors and interaction with class mates has been fantastic. There is something new to learn in each course.
Hi Hilary
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post and learn your perspectives in setting a learning experience online. I agree with your statement, “While it might neither be practicable nor desirable to acquire all the knowledge and make use of all the available technological tools at once” it is important to be familiar with the tools that will be the most practical to use in an online course. Due to the increase in online courses available, so are new programs invented every day. As online instructors it is important to remember to plan carefully which programs will be used to avoid feeling overwhelmed. The course management system is the most important one to learn and not necessarily all aspects of it, but only the ones that will work with the course being taught. Boettcher and Conrad suggest that once you have taught the class at least two times, you can begin to make changes and try different tools.
Works Cited
Boettcher, J., Conrad, R. (2010). Chapter 5: Phase One: Tips for Course Beginnings. In The Online Teaching Survival Guide, Simple and Practical Pedagogical Tips (pp. 62-99). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. A Wiley Imprint.
Hilary,
ReplyDeleteGreat post and focus on the key factors that determine success in an online course. Knowing the technology, clear communication, and effective facilitation are all items the online instructor must have in place. Beyond these items, I would expect the teacher would need a knowledge of the structure and content of the course in order to make informed and clear communication. I have always appreciated the professors that used the online tools (announcements, emails, blogs) to remind the group of upcoming items and if there was any irregularity in the schedule, such as two discussions in a week, or a group project. Although the syllabus may clearly state the time-frame, it seems more congenial when the online instructor guides us through as well.