This document provides guidance on effective online learning. It discusses why students like online learning, including flexibility and increased interaction. Five attributes of effective learners are identified: being self-directed, inquisitive, self-aware, risk-taking, and open-minded. Three keys to success in online courses are proper time management, planning, and commitment. Guidelines for quality course design are also presented.

1. EffectiveOnline LearningAnn Calder RoseOnline Learning SpecialistWest Liberty Universityarose@westliberty.eduWVDE Statewide Technology ConferenceCharleston, WVAugust 5, 2009

2. Why Do Students Like Online Learning?can "attend" a course at anytime, from anywhere. enables student-centered teaching approaches. accessible 24 hours a day 7 days a week.attend class when fully awake and attend in increments of convenient time blockincreases student interactioncan actually listen to the comments made by other students and everyone gets a chance to contribute.

3. Exposed to knowledge that can't be learned in booksTeaches skills in using technologiesParticipating online is much less intimidatingAppears to be a increased bonding and camaraderieMakes instructors more approachable. Online classrooms also facilitate team learningA diversity of course materialWhy Do Students Like Online Learning?

5. Five Attributes of an Effective Learner1. Self-directed2. Inquisitive/Curious3. Self-aware/Honest with self4. Risk-taking/not afraid of making mistakes5. Open-minded6. Technology competency

6. Three Keys to SuccessTime- preparation begins long before the course begins. The time it takes to develop an online course varies in accordance with the instructional technologies used to deliver course material. Planning- goes beyond syllabus development. The course author must begin to construct each module and component of the course and do so with regard to the limitations and opportunities of the chosen Learning Management System.CommitmentOnline course development can become overwhelming, and when adequate time is not given, course authors sometimes choose to “cut corners.”

7. PLANNING!PRIORPROPER PLANNINGPREVENTSPITIFUL, POORRESULTS

8. GuidelinesQuality Mattershttp://www.qualitymatters.org/Rubric.htmChecklist for Evaluating Online Courseshttp://www.sreb.org/programs/EdTech/pubs/2006Pubs/ChecklistEvaluateOnlieCourses.aspStandards for Quality Online Courseshttp://www.sreb.org/programs/EdTech/pubs/2006Pubs/StandardsQualityOnlineCourses.aspChecklist based on NEA recommendationshttp://opi.mt.gov/pdf/AdvPlacement/OLC_Checklist.pdf

9. Effective LearningOne thing is clear from the research on the effectiveness of online course: if a course is well designed, the instructor is a good facilitator, and the students are motivated, online courses can be a meaningful and fulfilling learning and teaching experience.

11. Learning StylesThe three predominant learning styles are visual, auditory, and tactile/kinesthetic.Broken down further, people learn by: Reading (visual) -- passiveListening (auditory ) -- passiveSeeing (visual ) -- passiveSpeaking (auditory) -- activeDoing (Tactile/Kinesthetic) -- active

12. How it all relates to Online LearningIn an online class there is a lot of passive learning done through reading text, listening to audio clips, and seeing graphics, but the active "speaking" mode is done very much through writing, email, and chatting.Most people tend to remember best that which they do - practicing the real thing-active learning.. Next, a combination of doing and speaking about what we learn produces a high retention rate, followed by speaking alone.

13. Online Learning The tools of the trade have changed, but the fundamental role of the teacher remains the same. The teacher’s role is still to facilitate the students learning process, to create a context for transforming data into knowledge and to create community, motivation, and support.

14. SyllabusCourse descriptionObjectives & Learner OutcomesPrerequisite SkillsApproach and ScopeAssignments & Due DatesEvaluation CriteriaWeb Design & Accommodation

15. Backwards DesignWiggins & McTighe (1998) --begin with identifying the desired results and then "work backwards" to develop instruction rather than the traditional approach which is to define what topics need to be covered.Stage 1: Identify desired outcomes and results.Stage 2: Determine what constitutes acceptable evidence of competency in the outcomes and results (assessment).Stage 3: Plan instructional strategies and learning experiences that bring students to these competency levels.

16. http://www.techlearning.com/article/8670

17. Balanced AssessmentAssessment FOR Learning vs. Assessment OF Learninghttp://allthingsassessment.info/Rick Stigginshttp://www.ets.org/Media/Conferences_and_Events/pdf/stiggins.pdf

19. Universal Design“… an approach to the design of all products and environments to be usable by everyone, to the greatest extent possible, regardless of age, ability, or situation. It serves people who are young or old, with excellent or limited abilities, in ideal or difficult circumstances. Universal design benefits everyone by accommodating limitations.”http://www.udeducation.org/index.aspTips for Highly Effective Online Coursesadapted from Leonard Presby, William Paterson University 1. Choice. Some students thrive in group settings; others prefer working independently. Students should be given choice as to how they learn, as long as they learn. 2. Up-to-date information. Material presented in textbooks is often dated so incorporate electronic resources. Have them to respond to questions on each reading assignment.3. Virtual field trips. To be sure that students take these “tours,” included questions at the end of each tour that students could e-mail back to me.

20. 4. Textbook connections. Create an opportunity to obtain feedback from the students on the chapter through quiz questions. This is a SUMMATIVE assessment FOR learning.5. Communication within groups. This may utilize discussion forums with original postings and replies of comments/additions. This may be whole class or group. The instructor does not drive the responses.6. Virtual office hours. Clearly set expectations for yourself and the students; 24/7 is not realistic nor is waiting days.

21. Using the ToolsThe Internet facilitates:1. Research2. Communication and collaboration tools including:bulletin boards emails listservsWebsites chat The computer facilitates:self paced tutorials self correcting tests and quizzes tracking student progress generating automatic responses interactive multimedia learning objects such as simulations multimedia tutorials

22. The online communication tools facilitate multiple levels of synchronous and asynchronous communication including: peer to peer one to many many to many many to one small group large group

23. Keep in mind the big picture.Be sure to put some time and thought into the creation of your syllabus. Take into consideration holidays (whether or not your online class stops during them) as well as your other responsibilities. Do NOT make final projects for all of your classes due the same week; spread out the major work….for you and for your students. Set aside time for your class each week.-- Unless you plan time to spend on your class (grading, etc), or the week will be over before you know it. -- Respond to student email every day

24. Do all work in a word processor.You can work offline, reducing the risk you’ll be "bumped" off the Internet or otherwise interrupted in the midst of creating a lessonKeep a copy of your work somewhere other than on the institution’s server (a benefit in the case of server crashes….and you can use that work again in a future semester). Grade efficiently.Open a browser window containing a copy of the original assignment and a second browser window containing the student’s work, andyour word processor; Learn to use tracking changes in MS Word

25. Be consistent and clear.Use the same convention throughout the course Duplicate multiple accesses to elementsMaintain a list of relevant links.Writing sitesStyle sitesInstitutional sites Make full use of your e-mail software.-- Ask students to write the course number as the subject line in e-mail they send or-- Only accept communication within a course shell

26. Prepare Your Syllabus, Read Me First, and Lesson Guide/Assignment ScheduleWhen planning assignments, consider the overall number of deliverables required and the spacing of those deliverables.

27. Plan at least one deliverable due within the first two weeks of class.

28. Be very clear about how and where students should submit assignments and about your late assignment policy. Effective Communication: Writing for Online ClassesTo keep your readers’ interest, write short paragraphs that focus on one idea apiece. Add credibility and keep your class current by linking to relevant web sites whenever possible. Throughout your online classroom, strive to keep a positive tone of voice in your writing so that students feel welcome and accepted.

29. Effective Formatting of TextUse bold and color (sparingly) to highlight important due dates and other items.In the conference area, respond in color to your students. – Isn’t that a great idea?Avoid underlines, as it makes people think that it is a link. Make sure to provide the complete URL to the sites (students love to printout materials)Avoid using ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, as it is difficult to read and has come to represent yelling in the online world. Use bullets to chunk similar information.When appropriate, include photos and diagrams to illustrate your materials.

30. General TipsHave your course COMPLETE at least TWO WEEKS prior to the start of the term.Ask someone who is not familiar with the course to review for navigation.Ask your best proof readers to do a careful read.But you must first master the art of…

32. Questions or Thoughts?arose@westliberty.eduhttp://tinyurl.com/WVDEtech2009