Technology and multimedia use is the center of the online environment. The type of technology used in the online course can define the course experience and complement the objectives of the course. Technology also have to be user friendly to all learners.
There are several things instructors must consider before implementing technology in a course. The instructor should consider their students' proficiency level in technology, how technology will be utilize in the course, and what programs would be the most effective for the course. Every student needs to be able to utilize the technology that is going to be used in the course effectively. In other words it needs to be user-friendly. Why use technology that can be complicated, if there is technology out there that is simple and easy to use (even a beginner should be able to use the technology in the course). The instructor also need to think what would this technology be used for and what are the objectives for the course? Is this course one where using an LMS or a blog would be sufficient enough or do I need another program? Finally, the instructor need to make sure that the programs used are lined up with the objective. (Education course-education oriented technology program)
When designing a course, instructors need to be sure that the technology has usability and accessibility. Students need to be able to move access the technology and it should be user-friendly (there's that word again). Once the students have a clear understanding of technology they can be successful.
Technology that are most appealing for me in online teaching are LMS, blogging, and some aspects of adobe. Instructional design is preparing me to be able to teach online classes and using technology successfully.
Friday, April 11, 2014
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Plagiarism Detection and Prevention
Plagiarism can happen in any educational setting; whether it be traditional face-to-face learning or online learning. The question of if plagiarism is intentional or unintentional is up for debate.
There are measures learners and instructors can take to make sure plagiarism doesn't occur. There are plagiarism detection software such as turnitin that runs the assignments through the internet and assignments that have been turned in.
To prevent plagiarism I can design assignments that require group work, use discussions, and allow students to use multiple sources (cite them). By doing this provides student with a chance to talk about the content and bounce ideas off of each other.
As a future online instructor, to prevent plagiarism I would make sure I provide my student with a exact definition on what is plagiarism and what is consider plagiarism in our course. I would also provide students with ample assignment that prevent plagiarism such as group projects and participating in discussions.
I agree whole heartedly with Dr. Pratt and Dr. Palloff when they said students don't intentional plagiarize. I believe in the good intentions of learners. They all have the common goal of completing the course with success and gaining knowledge. Instructors are there to help the students complete the goal. Instructors have to go the extra mile to make sure students understand what plagiarism is. Instructors can also use plagiarism detection to filter assignment to check for plagiarism.
Reference
"Plagiarism and Cheating". Dr. Palloff and Pratt discuss effective methods for dealing with plagiarism in distance education.
There are measures learners and instructors can take to make sure plagiarism doesn't occur. There are plagiarism detection software such as turnitin that runs the assignments through the internet and assignments that have been turned in.
To prevent plagiarism I can design assignments that require group work, use discussions, and allow students to use multiple sources (cite them). By doing this provides student with a chance to talk about the content and bounce ideas off of each other.
As a future online instructor, to prevent plagiarism I would make sure I provide my student with a exact definition on what is plagiarism and what is consider plagiarism in our course. I would also provide students with ample assignment that prevent plagiarism such as group projects and participating in discussions.
I agree whole heartedly with Dr. Pratt and Dr. Palloff when they said students don't intentional plagiarize. I believe in the good intentions of learners. They all have the common goal of completing the course with success and gaining knowledge. Instructors are there to help the students complete the goal. Instructors have to go the extra mile to make sure students understand what plagiarism is. Instructors can also use plagiarism detection to filter assignment to check for plagiarism.
Reference
"Plagiarism and Cheating". Dr. Palloff and Pratt discuss effective methods for dealing with plagiarism in distance education.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Setting up an Online Learning Experience
Before beginning a course, the instructor has to take time to think and prepare his/herself and the learners for an online experience. There are several things to consider before the course begins.
Instructors also have to tell the learners what are the expectations from the course from day one. Students need to know everything from what time are assignments due, category weights, how to turn in assignments, on down to what do I need to do to be success in an online course. Instructors can communicate these things in the course syllabus and in course announcements. "Clear and unambiguous guidelines about what is expected of learners and what they should expect from an instructor make a significant contribution to ensuring understanding and satisfaction in an online course." (Boettcher and Conrad p 55)
Finally, the instructor must take learners background, community building, and social presence into consideration when setting up the online learning experience. All the students that will be participating in the online course come from different areas, cultures, ethnicity, and different backgrounds in learn and/or online learning experience. The instructor has to be certain to meet the needs of all learners and try not to loose any students in the first two weeks.
The instructor has to also make the first step in getting the learners in the course to create a learning community. Online learning is different from traditional learning. It can get very lonely. If the students and the instructors develop a community from the start no one will get left behind.
Social presence can tie right in with community building. The instructor has to establish a presence in the course. He/she has to make themselves available to the students. Instructors can do this by posting a getting acquainted post and posting announcements.
Student success in an online course is almost depended upon the set up of the online environment.
Reference
Boettcher, J. V., & Conrad, R. (2010). The online teaching survival guide: Simple and practical pedagogical tips. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
- What is the significance of knowing the technology available to learners?
- Why is it essential to communicate clear expectations to learners?
- What additional considerations should the instructor take into account when setting up an online learning experience?
Instructors also have to tell the learners what are the expectations from the course from day one. Students need to know everything from what time are assignments due, category weights, how to turn in assignments, on down to what do I need to do to be success in an online course. Instructors can communicate these things in the course syllabus and in course announcements. "Clear and unambiguous guidelines about what is expected of learners and what they should expect from an instructor make a significant contribution to ensuring understanding and satisfaction in an online course." (Boettcher and Conrad p 55)
Finally, the instructor must take learners background, community building, and social presence into consideration when setting up the online learning experience. All the students that will be participating in the online course come from different areas, cultures, ethnicity, and different backgrounds in learn and/or online learning experience. The instructor has to be certain to meet the needs of all learners and try not to loose any students in the first two weeks.
The instructor has to also make the first step in getting the learners in the course to create a learning community. Online learning is different from traditional learning. It can get very lonely. If the students and the instructors develop a community from the start no one will get left behind.
Social presence can tie right in with community building. The instructor has to establish a presence in the course. He/she has to make themselves available to the students. Instructors can do this by posting a getting acquainted post and posting announcements.
Student success in an online course is almost depended upon the set up of the online environment.
Reference
Boettcher, J. V., & Conrad, R. (2010). The online teaching survival guide: Simple and practical pedagogical tips. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Online Learning Communities
Being successful in an online program starts with the building of a learning community. Online learning can be completely different from traditional face-to-face learning. In online learning, the students are in charge of their learning and the course instructors are the facilitators. Students that are not accustom to online learning can find themselves in a state of isolation or loneliness. That's where online communities come into play.
The learning community impacts student learning and satisfaction with the online course. The learning community acts as a support system for the learners. "The power of the learning communities is learner-to-learner engagement. The goal is a sense of co-created knowledge and meaning." (Palloff, Pratt Online Learning Communities) Once the feeling of community is established in the course students can excel and the satisfaction with the online course goes up.
In order for an online community to be successful the essential elements of building a online community has to be present. The essential elements of an online community are course navigation, course atmosphere, and the instructor's role as a facilitator.
The course need to be easy to navigate and user friendly for any student regardless of online learning experience. The atmosphere of the course should be welcoming and friendly. Dr. Palloff gave several suggestions on how to make the course user friendly. She suggest using naming conventions, emoticons, explanation points, and giving the student lounge a catchy name so students will feel comfort utilizing the lounge to talk. Finally, the instructor's role as a facilitator is to set the tone of the course. The facilitator has to provide support for the students and lead by example.
Online communities can be sustained by the instructor being supportive and encouraging the students, students establishing a relationship with each other, and maintain the importance of students and facilitators are equal partners. Community building equals effective online instruction.
The learning community impacts student learning and satisfaction with the online course. The learning community acts as a support system for the learners. "The power of the learning communities is learner-to-learner engagement. The goal is a sense of co-created knowledge and meaning." (Palloff, Pratt Online Learning Communities) Once the feeling of community is established in the course students can excel and the satisfaction with the online course goes up.
In order for an online community to be successful the essential elements of building a online community has to be present. The essential elements of an online community are course navigation, course atmosphere, and the instructor's role as a facilitator.
The course need to be easy to navigate and user friendly for any student regardless of online learning experience. The atmosphere of the course should be welcoming and friendly. Dr. Palloff gave several suggestions on how to make the course user friendly. She suggest using naming conventions, emoticons, explanation points, and giving the student lounge a catchy name so students will feel comfort utilizing the lounge to talk. Finally, the instructor's role as a facilitator is to set the tone of the course. The facilitator has to provide support for the students and lead by example.
Online communities can be sustained by the instructor being supportive and encouraging the students, students establishing a relationship with each other, and maintain the importance of students and facilitators are equal partners. Community building equals effective online instruction.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Welcome!
Welcome to my blog. This blog will document my journey through my Walden course (EIDT 6510). Topic that will be discussed are the effectiveness of online learning and strategies to make online learners successful. Welcome and I hope you enjoy and find some useful tips.
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