It is extremely important to know the technology you
are dealing with as the instructor. Boettcher and Conrad (2010)
caution that when teaching an online course for the first time, it is smart to “keep
it simple” (p. 57). “Focus on the
essential tools, and build your first course around those” (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010, p. 57). A course management system (CMS) is one of
those important first tools to become familiar with, according to Boettcher and
Conrad (2010). This will assure students
in the online course, and you as the instructor, have a place to communicate. This is where the course interactions take
place, thus, may be the most important piece of technology needed in the
course. It is also important that an
instructor is familiar with the usage of email, in order to communicate with
students (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010).
Over time an instructor needs to become familiar with more tools that
can be used within a course, such as audacity, blogs, social networking sites,
etc. (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010).
As an instructor, it is always important to have clear
expectations, whether the course be online or face-to-face. In the online community, it is especially essential
to be clear with expectations since the students will be viewing the information
from the syllabus or course assignments on their own. It is also important to communicate to
students when you, as the instructor, will get back to the student if a problem
should arise. Boettcher and Conrad (2010) state, “I’ll reply to emails
within twenty-four to forty-eight hours during the workweek. I’ll check urgent messages on the weekends”
(p. 74). This tells the students exactly
what to expect when emailing their instructor, whether it be a weekday or
weekend. This is just one example of how
an instructor can make sure students know what they can expect throughout a
course. In a course through Walden University
I liked that the instructor gave an introduction stating the time their email
is usually checked during the day as well.
The instructor stated, “I check my email first think in the morning on
workdays.” This helped me to know what
to expect. Anything extra the instructor
can do to help the students is always a plus.
It is important for
an online instructor to recognize student are coming from all different areas
of the world, with different backgrounds, and diverse cultures. I think that is the most difficult thing to
overcome when designing an online course, students will be very diverse. That is also what makes creating icebreakers for
students to get to know one another and designing assignments where students
are asked to share some background experiences so exciting. As the experts in Laureate Education (2010)
discuss, it is important as an instructor to set up a community early on. An instructor should be leery about posting academic-based
introductions, according to Laureate Education (2010), rather he/she should post
personal information to show students that they are personable. I think this is an important piece of
information to note.
It will take some experience
and learning as a course instructor to get the hang of all the details of
designing and facilitating a course, but with these tips in mind, one can
hopefully be one step ahead. I will reference
back to the Confucius quote where I started.
Always, always prepare and you will succeed.
Resources
Boettcher,
J. V., & Conrad, R. (2010). The online teaching survival guide: Simple
and practical pedagogical tips. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Laureate Education (Producer).
(2010). Launching the online learning experience [Video file].
Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Quote retrieved from: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/preparation.html
Jenny Hogg,
ReplyDeleteHave you ever used a checklist review when planning a course site?
and if do , What type of checklist method works for you to ensure you have everything available for student to review when the course site opens?
Gary Jechorek
Hello Gary,
ReplyDeleteNo I have not used a checklist to plan a course site. Sorry.
Thanks,
Jenny
Hi Jenny,
ReplyDeleteYous is an interesting post that covers some very salient considerations for the setting up of the online experience.
I like that Confucicus quote because, indeed, lack of planning is like loss of direction, in event. Written/ tangible plans help to steer you into the right direction. Just a slight glimpse would remind you of your intended course if it's your personal plan. Or, if it's pre-planned for you, you would gain proper insight as to what direction you're to follow to achieve the stated goal.
Like you, my teaching experience bears testimony to that fact of sloppy lesson activities and outcomes if I didn't plan properly, and sweet soulful teaching-learning experiences with my proper lesson plans; even if conceived only mentally, based on experience and carefully employed expertise.
Interestingly, though, I have seen teachers floating expertly written plans to present to supervisors and officials, yet not one stroke of the written was being put into practice; I being one culprit. And, besides pure negligence, other factors such as lack of available tools and materials render your beautifully written, expertly conceived plans negligent/ null and void; just lofty paper-work. I daresay, though mines are f2f experiences, web tools and electronic content deserve consideration, here.
Your views on this, please.
Over to you
Chris
Chris,
DeleteI really appreciate your honest and I have certainly had past positions in which 3 page lesson plans (for one lesson per week) were due and I merely turned the same thing in weekly. This was a test to see if anyone ever read them, and apparently they did not. Thank goodness for my new career. We are not asked to turn in lesson plans, but to be professional in the workplace. This kind of trust actually works quite well with adults. I know I work better under a principal that respects my time and effort. There really is only a need to plan for what you need to use, not to waste time writing for nothing. I know where you are coming from. It is unfortunate that turning lesson plans in is what matters to some. I think the carrying out of a good solid lesson, however that fits you as the teacher, is what really matters most.
Thanks for your reply.
Jenny
Jenny, I enjoyed your blog post and particularly liked the way you structured the suggestions for using technology tools in online learning. You alluded to an important consideration about adding tools along the way, and not trying to rush integration.
ReplyDeleteDr. Fenton,
DeleteThanks for the reply. I do feel it is important to add tools as you become familiar with the field of instruction through the online environment. One thing at a time, of course, but certainly do not sit around assuming you have learned enough about technology or enough programs to be "done". There is always more to learn.
Thanks,
Jenny