Downloaded 368 times
Uploaded byJason Rhode
Introduction to Online Teaching and Learning
The document provides an introduction to online teaching and learning, aimed at both newcomers and those seeking to refresh their skills. It includes statistics on online enrollment and definitions of different types of online courses, alongside initial considerations and components necessary for effective online course design. Resources and contact information for further inquiries are also included.
More Related Content
Similar to Introduction to Online Teaching and Learning
Introduction to Online Teaching and Learning
- 1. Introduction to Online Teachingand Learning Jason Rhode Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center
- 2. Overview Unique characteristics of online instruction Componentsin an engaging and interactive online course This workshop is geared toward an audience who is new to online teaching and to those wanting to refresh their knowledge about online teaching fundamentals.
- 3. In 2011… 77% ofinstitutions offer online courses The Digital Revolution and Higher Education, http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2011/08/28/the-digital-revolution-and-higher-education/
- 4. 6.7 Million students Photocredit: flickr.com/photos/thirdworld/6284678180/ In 2012… were enrolled in at least one online course Allen & Seamen, 2013, http://www.onlinelearningsurvey.com/reports/changingcourse.pdf
- 5. 32% of students Photocredit: flickr.com/photos/thirdworld/6284678180/ In 2012… were enrolled in at least one online course Allen & Seamen, 2013, http://www.onlinelearningsurvey.com/reports/changingcourse.pdf
- 6. Continued Growth Online Enrollmentas a Percent of Total Enrollment 35.0% 32% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% Fall 2001 Fall 2003 Fall 2004 Fall 2005 Fall 2006 Fall 2007 Fall 2008 Fall 2009 Fall 2010 Fall 2011 Allen & Seamen, 2013, http://www.onlinelearningsurvey.com/reports/changingcourse.pdf
- 7. Online Enrollment GrowthOutpacing Total Enrollment 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% Total Enrollment 25.0% 20.0% Online Enrollment 15.0% 10.0% Online Enrollment as % of Total Enrollment 5.0% 0.0% -5.0% Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 Allen & Seamen, 2013, http://www.onlinelearningsurvey.com/reports/changingcourse.pdf
- 8. 69% of onlinestudents Map created using http://freemaptools.com/radius-around-point.htm Reputation and Proximity look for online programs within 100 miles of their location Aslanian and Clinefelter, 2013, http://www.learninghouse.com/ocs2013-report/
- 9. Popularity of Publics 45%of students in fully-online programs attend a public university Aslanian and Clinefelter, 2013, http://www.learninghouse.com/ocs2013-report/
- 10. Definition of “onlinecourse” Proportion of Content Delivered Online Type of Course Typical Description 0% Traditional Course where no technology is used – content is delivered in writing or orally. 1 to 29% Web Facilitated Course that uses web-based technology to facilitate what is essentially a face-to-face course. May use a course management system (CMS) or web pages to post the syllabus and assignments. 30 to 79% Blended/Hybrid Course that blends online and face-to-face delivery. Substantial portion of the content is delivered online, typically uses online discussions, and typically has a reduced number of face-to-face meetings. 80+% Online A course where most or all of the content is delivered online. Typically have no face-to-face meetings. Going the Distance, http://sloanconsortium.org/publications/survey/going_distance_2011
- 11. Definition by The HigherLearning Commission “Course in which 75% or more of the instruction (actual time spent on course content) is offered by distance education” Distance Education = Instructor-Led Correspondence Education = Self-Paced The Higher Learning Commission, http://ncahlc.org/Table/FAQs/Institutional-Update-Distance-Ed-FAQs
- 12. In 2010… Face-to-Face andOnline courses equally effective Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning, http://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/tech/evidence-based-practices/finalreport.pdf
- 13.
- 14.
- 15. Perceptions Students have tobe more responsible More feedback (in both directions)
- 16. Perceptions More work forfaculty Easier for faculty
- 20.
- 21.
- 22.
- 23.
- 24.
- 25.
- 26. Components of an onlinecourse s
- 27. Components of anOnline Course Communication Content Delivery Collaboration Assessment
- 28.
- 29. Spectrum of Communication TOOLS Basicand Traditional Advanced and Integrated
- 30.
- 31.
- 32.
- 33.
- 34.
- 35.
- 36.
- 37.
- 38.
- 39.
- 40.
- 41.
- 42.
- 43.
- 44.
- 45.
- 46. Start with WhatYou Know
- 47.
- 48.
- 49. View Exemplary CourseTours j.mp/bbecptours13
- 50. Blackboard Exemplary CourseProgram Rubric j.mp/bbecprubric
- 51. Build a ConsistentStructure
- 52.
- 53.
- 54. The First Weekof the Course Provide a course orientation
- 55. The First Weekof the Course Provide for discussion and community building
- 56. The First Weekof the Course Set expectations for students on: – Availability of new units – Grading turnaround – Response to email
- 57.
- 58. During the Course Holdvirtual and/or face-to-face office hours
- 59. During the Course Gradeassessments
- 60. During the Course Howwill you provide feedback? Grade assessments
- 61. During the Course Updateand release content
- 62. The End ofthe Course Reflect on the course content, interactions, and assessment Plan updates for the next semester
- 63. Enjoy the experience ofteaching online s
- 64. Resources • Allen, I.E., & Seaman, J. (2013). Changing course: Ten years of tracking online education in the United States. Babson Survey Research Group and Quahog Research Group, LLC. Retrieved from http://sloanconsortium.org/publications/survey/changing_course_2012 • Aslanian, C. B., & Clinefelter, D. L. (2013). Online college students 2013: Comprehensive data on demands and preferences. Louisville, KY: The Learning House, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.learninghouse.com/ocs2013-report/ • Eduventures, Inc. (2012). Online higher education market update 2012/13: Executive summary. Retrieved from http://www.eduventures.com/insights/online-higher-education-marketupdate/download/ • Fink, L. D. (2003). Creating significant learning experiences: An integrated approach to designing college courses. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. • Illinois Online Network (2007). Instructional Design. www.ion.uillinois.edu/resources/tutorials/id/index.asp • Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. (2007). Getting Started Online: Advantages, Disadvantages and How to Begin. vfc. • University of Central Florida (2008). Teaching Online. h.ucf.eduproject.mnscu.edu
- 65.
- 66. Contact Me Jason Rhode Email:jrhode@niu.edu Phone: 815.753.2475 Twitter: @jrhode
Editor's Notes
- #3 It is important to begin planning online courses early because teaching in the online environment involves principles and practices different from those used in traditional face-to-face instruction. This workshop is a great opportunity to get started on an online course for the spring semester. In this session, we will introduce the unique characteristics of online instruction and provide an overview of the components in an engaging and interactive online course. This workshop is geared toward an audience who is new to online teaching and to those wanting to refresh their knowledge about online teaching fundamentals.
- #7 The growth in online enrollment has been steady over the past decade. In the first year of this same study (2002), slightly less than 10 percent of all higher education students in the U.S.took an online course. That proportion has continued its steady increase over this nine-year time span, having grown to 32 percent of total U.S. higher education enrollment in 2011.
- #8 The rate of online enrollment growth has consistently and dramatically outpaced total enrollment growth in U.S. higher education during the past decade. The bottom line in this chart depicts the annual growth rate of total enrollment in U.S. higher education, averaging just over 2 percent during the 9 years from 2003 to 2011. During this same time period, online enrollment grew an average of 18.5 percent and online enrollment as a percentage of total enrollment grew steadily as a result. Online courses are steadily becoming a larger proportion of all courses offered by higher education institutions today.
- #11 There are established definitions for what constitutes an online course. For example, the Sloan Consortium, a leading organization committed to quality education online, has formalized the definition for an online course as being a course where 80+% of the content is delivered online, typically having no face-to-face meetings. Other variations of “online” may include “blended” or “hybrid” courses that blend online and face-to-face delivery, as well as “web facilitated” courses that use web-based technology such as a course management system (CMS) to facilitate what is essentially a face-to-face course.
- #12 Online courses are also at times referred to as “distance education courses.” For example, the Higher Learning Commission refers to online courses as “distance education courses” and differentiates them from “correspondence education courses” which are self-paced. The Commission defines a distance education course as one in which 75% or more of the instruction (meaning, actual time spent on course content) is offered by distance education. The Commission therefore defines distance education courses as being instructor-led, drawing the distinction between correspondence education courses as being self-paced.Online courses have indeed been recognized as unique and increasingly popular modes for instruction, distinct from face-to-face or other education delivery methods.
- #13 This perception that online courses are not as effective as face-to-face courses persists despite evidence to the contrary. A 2010 meta-analysis commissioned by the US Department of Education of 45 quantitative studies comparing online and face-to-face instruction found no significant difference in learning outcomes based on how the students received instruction.
- #14 In my discussions with faculty, I have found many perceptions that faculty bring to online teaching. I think the most common perceptions have to do with communication in an online course. Generally, I think faculty who are new to online teaching feel that online courses are anonymous and distant, where face-to-face can be more personable and friendly. I hear concerns frequently about not being able to see students’ reactions through body language and facial expressions, so faculty assume that online courses will mean they are less connected with their students. The corollary to this, of course, is that the lack of connection means that students will struggle more and learn less. This really isn’t true. Some students will definitely be less talkative and less connected in an online course. But many faculty find they actually know their students better in an online course. To be successful, students must
- #30 The first common component of an online course is communication. In fact, communication is possibly one of the most important components in an online course, since you won’t be meeting face-to-face for the majority, or perhaps entirety, of your course. There are indeed many different communication approaches and available tools for facilitating communication, varying from more traditional and basic communication tools such as phone and email to more sophisticated and integrated communication tools within the learning management system, such as announcements and discussions, blogs, wikis, and web conferencing.
- #31 Some communication tools may look familiar, like announcements or discussion boards, since you may use these already. Announcements and discussion boards are both great for asynchronous communications as they allow for communications between faculty and students that can be viewed and responded to at any time.
- #32 A variety of other communication tools are available and integrated into the course management system, like blogs or journals, that offer more collaborative features and can be used to build a stronger sense of community within an online course.
- #33 Furthermore, you may also choose to use more advanced communication tools, like web conferencing, to have live discussions or debates.
- #35 The second common component of an online course is content delivery. In your online course, you will need to find methods to present content. A textbook can still be a primary content source, but you will need to find ways to present additional information.
- #37 Narrated presentations and tutorials are great tools to create online lectures. You can either use a PowerPoint presentation as a base, like this example, or create a screencast that can record anything on your computer screen. Because these can incorporate audio, they give students a sense of your presence in the course and make it seem more personal.
- #38 You should also consider other web resources that can support your content, like videos, photos, and podcasts.
- #39 As you build your content online, it’s important to create a logical structure so that students can see the connection between resources. You can also use a series of folders or more advanced tools, like this Learning Module that is available in Blackboard.
- #40 The third common component of an online course is collaboration. Beyond just communicating with your students and delivering instructional content for them, you may choose to further engage students in the learning process through other collaborative activities.
- #41 It is certainlypossible for students to collaborate with one another in an online course. Students can be organized into groups and use email, discussion boards, blogs, wikis, or web conferencing to work together as they learn.
- #43 The fourth common component of an online course is assessment. In the same way that you assess student learning and achievement of course objectives in a face-to-face course, there are a wide variety of approaches for assessing students in an online course. While it can be challenging online to replicate objective true/false and multiple choice tests online as students often will use the textbook, their notes, and web resources when taking an online test, supplementing or replacing multiple-choice tests with more open-ended assessments, like research papers, discussions, media projects, or reflection logs can effectively be used to assess online student learning.
- #51 Blackboard’s Exemplary Course Program recognizes courses that demonstrate excellence in course design, interaction & collaboration, assessment, and learner support. The exemplary course rubric is used by volunteer course reviewers to rate nominated courses. The rubric is comprehensive and offers valuable tips for improving the design of an online course. The Blackboard Exemplary Course Rubric is available in the Supplementary Readings area of this module.