Creating Successful Online Learning Environments Content VCC workshop March 2009 Tannis Morgan

Guiding Questions 1. What does content look like in your course? Eg. is your content dynamic (changing all the time) or relatively static? Is your content a support to the textbook/readings?

1. What does content look like in your course?

Eg. is your content dynamic (changing all the time) or relatively static? Is your content a support to the textbook/readings?

2. What concerns do you have about conveying your content online? Guiding Questions

2. What concerns do you have about conveying your content online?

Guiding Questions 3. What do you do best when you deliver your content?

3. What do you do best when you deliver your content?

Guiding Questions 4. How do you think your content could be enhanced?

4. How do you think your content could be enhanced?

Guiding Questions 5. What resources are available to you?

5. What resources are available to you?

Borrow http://www.freelearning.ca http://ocwfinder.com/ http://www.flickr.com http://compfight.com/ http://www.oculture.com/2007/02/university_vide.html http://cnx.org/

http://www.freelearning.ca

http://ocwfinder.com/

http://www.flickr.com

http://compfight.com/

http://www.oculture.com/2007/02/university_vide.html

http://cnx.org/

But don’t steal ( unless you have to…)

Tools Use the tools to connect the dots…

Use the tools to connect the dots…

Tools There are many options available to us: text, audio, video, screencasts What combination works for you and your students?

There are many options available to us: text, audio, video, screencasts

What combination works for you and your students?

Instructor Voice Write as you would as if you were talking to the students directly Don't regurgitate the readings

Write as you would as if you were talking to the students directly

Don't regurgitate the readings

Connecting Dots Use your narrative to connect the dots between the content and the activities. Avoid sending students from page-to-page, link-to-link without making the narrative connection between all the components

Use your narrative to connect the dots between the content and the activities.

Avoid sending students from page-to-page, link-to-link without making the narrative connection between all the components

Signposts Provide students with instructions about what part of the website or section of video you want them to read or view--help them focus

Provide students with instructions about what part of the website or section of video you want them to read or view--help them focus

Use visual cues: looks DO matter a. no design example (jpeg) b. Html version (nursing sample) Connecting Dots

Use visual cues: looks DO matter

a. no design example (jpeg)

b. Html version (nursing sample)

Audio is an underused tool Intros Summaries contextualizing content Considerations: short clips or long clips? transcript or not? Does it add value or repeat? Connecting Dots

Audio is an underused tool

Intros

Summaries

contextualizing

content

Considerations:

short clips or long clips?

transcript or not?

Does it add value or repeat?

Screencasts useful for orienting students or talking them through a digital document, diagram, photo, formula, process, etc. example Connecting Dots

Screencasts

useful for orienting students or talking them through a digital document, diagram, photo, formula, process, etc.

example

Do’s and don’ts DON'T use ppt, unless there is an audio narrative. Don’t assume a sequence = connections Getting creative: metaphor to connect, narrative, real life scenarios—what suits the ‘story’ of your course? Connecting Dots

Do’s and don’ts

DON'T use ppt, unless there is an audio narrative.

Don’t assume a sequence = connections

Getting creative: metaphor to connect, narrative, real life scenarios—what suits the ‘story’ of your course?

Do’s and don’ts Consider organizing content in 15-30 minute learning chunks Easier to step away and come back to Other thoughts?

Consider organizing content in 15-30 minute learning chunks

Easier to step away and come back to

Other thoughts?

The other end of the continuum… Dynamic content or just-in-time teaching Elluminate live or “live” classrooms Weblogs

Dynamic content or just-in-time teaching

Elluminate live or “live” classrooms

Weblogs

Thanks! Revisit the presentation and resources at: http://testingcentre.wordpress.com/

Revisit the presentation and resources at:

http://testingcentre.wordpress.com/