This document outlines best practices for online learning based on research. It discusses frameworks for online collaborative learning and recommends that online courses have explicit schedules, clear objectives, rubrics, discussion forums, and ongoing assessments. It also suggests frequent discussion submissions, interaction between teachers and students, prompt feedback, inquiry-based activities, and using standard language. Recommended learning activities include discussion forums, group projects, reflective exercises, interactive online resources, and creating presentations. The key to improving learning is utilizing online capabilities and opportunities through well-designed instruction.
Preparing Online Materials: Understanding Foundations of Online LearningCEMCA
This document discusses online learning and eLearning. It defines eLearning as education facilitated by electronic technologies to access educational curriculum outside of a traditional classroom. It notes the popularity of eLearning is due to factors such as increased access to resources, interactivity, and lower costs. The document outlines different forms of eLearning from fully online to blended models. It also discusses instructional design approaches, developing online content and materials, facilitating communication, and delivering online content. Emerging trends in online learning mentioned include open educational resources, massive open online courses, open badges, and the use of learning analytics, video, social media and mobile devices.
Enhancing Educational Outreach: Development of an Online Plagiarism TutorialUCD Library
Presentation by Jennifer Collery, Liaison Librarian at University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland, at EdTech 2014 (The 15th Educational Technology Conference of the Irish Learning Technology Association (ILTA)), held on May 29th & 30th, 2014 at University College Dublin, Ireland.
The document discusses a survey conducted by a college liaison librarian at UCD Library in Dublin to measure the impact and value of information literacy instruction. The survey asked module coordinators about past instruction, its impact, and their preferences for future instruction. Results showed that most felt instruction was beneficial and should be provided to all students annually. Workshops tailored to subjects were preferred over online options or tours. The implications are a need to promote instruction's benefits and find sustainable delivery methods beyond workshops given class sizes.
REL Southeast 2015 - Brief Overview of Research on Rural Students and Online ...Michael Barbour
Barbour, M. K. (2015, March). Brief overview of research on rural students and online learning. A webinar presentation to the Regional Education Laboratory - Southeast's Alliance for Online and Blended Learning.
Learning Through Community Effort: Collaboration for Increased Project SuccessLibraries Thriving
The Libraries Thriving Learning Community, organized by Credo Reference and LYRASIS, invites members to think about and engage on key current issues with the aim of developing approaches, solutions and responses that demonstrate the effectiveness of individual library professionals as well as libraries' effectiveness within the institutions of which they are a part. Since February, community participants have been engaging in a variety of interactions, primarily online, to explore and experiment with the kinds of individual and institutional actions needed for libraries to thrive. Join this session to learn about this innovative online collaboration and to hear details about how you can join a similar group in an upcoming learning community.
This document discusses different teaching contexts in distance education. It provides examples of different types of distance learning courses from classic correspondence courses to flipped classrooms. It outlines some key elements of the distance learning teaching context including course goals, learning materials, means of student interaction, and available technologies. The document defines teaching as the design and use of activities to promote student participation, understanding, and skill development. It emphasizes that teaching in distance education involves curriculum development, student support, sharing knowledge, engaging students, and encouraging active participation across a student's program of study. The conclusion encourages appreciating one's role, seeking to add value to the student experience, and regularly reflecting on how to best support students given the specific teaching context.
Preparing Online Materials: Understanding Foundations of Online LearningCEMCA
This document discusses online learning and eLearning. It defines eLearning as education facilitated by electronic technologies to access educational curriculum outside of a traditional classroom. It notes the popularity of eLearning is due to factors such as increased access to resources, interactivity, and lower costs. The document outlines different forms of eLearning from fully online to blended models. It also discusses instructional design approaches, developing online content and materials, facilitating communication, and delivering online content. Emerging trends in online learning mentioned include open educational resources, massive open online courses, open badges, and the use of learning analytics, video, social media and mobile devices.
Enhancing Educational Outreach: Development of an Online Plagiarism TutorialUCD Library
Presentation by Jennifer Collery, Liaison Librarian at University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland, at EdTech 2014 (The 15th Educational Technology Conference of the Irish Learning Technology Association (ILTA)), held on May 29th & 30th, 2014 at University College Dublin, Ireland.
The document discusses a survey conducted by a college liaison librarian at UCD Library in Dublin to measure the impact and value of information literacy instruction. The survey asked module coordinators about past instruction, its impact, and their preferences for future instruction. Results showed that most felt instruction was beneficial and should be provided to all students annually. Workshops tailored to subjects were preferred over online options or tours. The implications are a need to promote instruction's benefits and find sustainable delivery methods beyond workshops given class sizes.
REL Southeast 2015 - Brief Overview of Research on Rural Students and Online ...Michael Barbour
Barbour, M. K. (2015, March). Brief overview of research on rural students and online learning. A webinar presentation to the Regional Education Laboratory - Southeast's Alliance for Online and Blended Learning.
Learning Through Community Effort: Collaboration for Increased Project SuccessLibraries Thriving
The Libraries Thriving Learning Community, organized by Credo Reference and LYRASIS, invites members to think about and engage on key current issues with the aim of developing approaches, solutions and responses that demonstrate the effectiveness of individual library professionals as well as libraries' effectiveness within the institutions of which they are a part. Since February, community participants have been engaging in a variety of interactions, primarily online, to explore and experiment with the kinds of individual and institutional actions needed for libraries to thrive. Join this session to learn about this innovative online collaboration and to hear details about how you can join a similar group in an upcoming learning community.
This document discusses different teaching contexts in distance education. It provides examples of different types of distance learning courses from classic correspondence courses to flipped classrooms. It outlines some key elements of the distance learning teaching context including course goals, learning materials, means of student interaction, and available technologies. The document defines teaching as the design and use of activities to promote student participation, understanding, and skill development. It emphasizes that teaching in distance education involves curriculum development, student support, sharing knowledge, engaging students, and encouraging active participation across a student's program of study. The conclusion encourages appreciating one's role, seeking to add value to the student experience, and regularly reflecting on how to best support students given the specific teaching context.
LILAC 2010: 'Who dares to teach must never cease to learn'shelldaynight
The document discusses the roles of librarians as teachers rather than just trainers of students. It argues that librarians must understand pedagogy and how learning takes place in order to facilitate students' learning. The document also examines the skills and knowledge needed to be effective teachers, such as understanding learning outcomes and styles. It shares experiences of teaching activities at Leeds University Library, including embedded instruction and collaboration with other teaching staff.
This document discusses theories of online learning. It summarizes Anderson's model of online learning, which outlines six categories of educational interaction: student-student, student-content, student-teacher, teacher-teacher, teacher-content, and content-content. It also discusses benefits of online learning like flexibility and accessibility, as well as barriers like less flexibility than assumed and issues with internet access. The document aims to provide a theoretical framework for understanding online learning interactions and environments.
Binghamton University's Virtual AP Conference 2014 - Online and blended educa...Michael Barbour
Barbour, M. K. (2014, June). Online and blended education: What does it look like? An invited keynote presentation to the Binghamton University's Virtual Advanced Placement Conference, Binghamton, NY.
The document discusses the potential benefits of information and communication technologies (ICT) in education, including improving access to information, supporting lifelong learning, and redressing inequalities. It outlines six pillars that form the foundation of South Africa's White Paper on e-Education, which are infrastructure, connectivity, ongoing professional development, educational portal and content development, research and evaluation, and human resources. The Thutong Education Portal was created to provide teachers and education officials access to curriculum-aligned resources and enable sharing of ideas through online communities.
CNIE: Online Classroom or Community in the Making? Engaged Participant or Kn...guest5eb713
The document discusses a study that examined how online instructors conceptualize and negotiate their teaching presence. Six instructors from different contexts participated in interviews and had their online course interactions analyzed. The findings showed that instructors conceptualized the online spaces in different ways, such as communities, seminars, or student-centered classrooms. However, their abilities to realize these conceptualizations were influenced by tensions from student interactions, technology constraints, or pressures to adopt more teacher-centered approaches. The study concluded that online instructors and students must adapt flexibly to changing needs and identities, and that conceptualizations of teaching presence are constantly evolving.
IDEAL-NM 2010 Keynote - Rural Virtual Schooling: Research on the Teaching and...Michael Barbour
This document summarizes research on rural virtual schooling and the roles of various participants. It finds that while distance education is commonly used in rural districts, there is limited research on K-12 online learning. Most studies describe potential benefits and challenges. The roles of virtual school designers, teachers, and site facilitators are discussed, with research finding that site facilitators who work directly with students are key to program success. Open questions remain about online learning suitability for all students.
The document outlines a professional development training on creating a student-centered learning environment through the use of technology. The training covers identifying methods to incorporate technology and the National Educational Technology Standards, brainstorming creative student-centered approaches, and addressing challenges like funding and copyright. The goal is to equip teachers with the skills and strategies to engage students through a combination of technology, student-centered practices, and active learning.
NSTA Saturday Evening Presentation On Inspire 3 18 2010Bradford Davey
The document proposes designing an online learning community called INSPIRE to engage high school students interested in STEM and NASA. It discusses keys to online learning success such as relevant content, clear expectations, and support for flexible, self-directed learners. INSPIRE will provide NASA-themed activities and competitions to motivate learning while facilitating interaction between students and educators through online and live events. An initial trial involved 1800 students who on average accessed the site twice a week and found it engaging.
This document provides information on creating and planning effective online sessions using Blackboard Collaborate, including its audio/video, polling, breakout room, and recording features. It discusses getting started with Blackboard Collaborate by creating sessions from the Tools section in Blackboard. The document also lists contacts and help resources for using Blackboard Collaborate.
1. The document discusses the use of 3D virtual worlds for online education and the creation of learning communities. It describes a virtual world called AET Zone that was created by Appalachian State University for their Instructional Technology program.
2. AET Zone allows for presence, co-presence, and interaction through avatars. Studies have shown these factors are important for developing online communities and engagement. Student surveys found AET Zone promoted a supportive learning community and continuous, collaborative learning.
3. Over time, AET Zone has grown to include over 2,400 members and additional interactive elements. It serves as the core environment for the Instructional Technology Master's program.
Opportunity out of Change: designing a new approach to student and teaching s...UCD Library
Presentation given at Academic & Special Libraries Annual Conference and Exhibition, February 27, 2014, in Dublin Ireland. Authors Susan Boyle and James Molloy, Liaison Librarians at UCD Library, University College Dublin. Please contact authors directly for permission to quote or reuse.
This presentation as part of iMoot2010 online conference provides an overview of the Moodle-related services offered through Education Network Australia (edna). It takes a tour through adult learning courses, and professional association communities in edna Groups, plus online projects for K-12 teachers and students in OzProjects. It shares what we have learned about Moodle and users in 5 years of supporting Moodle courses and communities.
Moodle is a learning management system that allows teachers to communicate, collaborate, discuss, read, write, listen, explore and learn with students. It provides features like quizzes, blogs, wikis, messaging, chats, discussion forums, RSS feeds, multimedia embedding, student polls, assignment posting, and reports on student activities and participation. Moodle offers grades recording and scoring, as well as extensive reporting capabilities for teachers to monitor student progress.
EnROLE in different designs for teaching: role-based e-learning for universit...Sandra Wills
This document discusses using role-based e-learning designs for university teaching. It describes how traditional university teaching focuses on lectures, labs, and tutorials, but role-based designs immerse students in authentic roles and contexts. The document provides examples of role-based simulations used at various universities, such as a land development negotiation simulation. It also discusses important considerations for designing effective role-based simulations, such as defining student roles and rules, and the teacher's important role in moderating discussions and debriefing the learning experience.
SD DL Academy 2017 - Best Practices in Blended and Distance Learning in CanadaMichael Barbour
Barbour, M. K., & LaBonte, R. (2017, October). Best practices in blended and distance learning in Canada. A presentation at the Building Student Engagement in Blended and Distance Environments, North Battleford, SK.
This document outlines an agenda for exploring challenges of online teaching transitions and improving online presence. It discusses the Community of Inquiry model and its three presences of social, cognitive, and teaching. It provides definitions and examples of teaching presence. The remainder discusses establishing an online persona and provides a rubric and examples of strategies to improve instructional and social presence in online courses.
This document summarizes Zoran Jeremić's PhD dissertation on using semantic web technologies to support collaborative learning. It outlines the basic concepts of collaborative learning and semantic web technologies. It then describes the DEPTHS system, which uses an ontology and semantic web services to provide context-aware learning resources and tools to support project-based learning of software design patterns. An evaluation with students found the DEPTHS approach was generally effective for learning patterns and the integrated tools were useful.
Technological and pedagogical issues surrounding mass production of elearningChristopher Peat
The document discusses the technological and pedagogical issues surrounding the mass production of multimedia learning content. It addresses challenges such as adhering to educational principles, conforming to technology standards, ensuring affordability and accessibility. The document also presents a case study of a project that developed learning objects from classroom materials to retain the original pedagogical approach at a low cost. Stakeholders including academics and learning technologists collaborated to capture classroom interactions and package them into reusable learning objects using open source tools.
LILAC 2010: 'Who dares to teach must never cease to learn'shelldaynight
The document discusses the roles of librarians as teachers rather than just trainers of students. It argues that librarians must understand pedagogy and how learning takes place in order to facilitate students' learning. The document also examines the skills and knowledge needed to be effective teachers, such as understanding learning outcomes and styles. It shares experiences of teaching activities at Leeds University Library, including embedded instruction and collaboration with other teaching staff.
This document discusses theories of online learning. It summarizes Anderson's model of online learning, which outlines six categories of educational interaction: student-student, student-content, student-teacher, teacher-teacher, teacher-content, and content-content. It also discusses benefits of online learning like flexibility and accessibility, as well as barriers like less flexibility than assumed and issues with internet access. The document aims to provide a theoretical framework for understanding online learning interactions and environments.
Binghamton University's Virtual AP Conference 2014 - Online and blended educa...Michael Barbour
Barbour, M. K. (2014, June). Online and blended education: What does it look like? An invited keynote presentation to the Binghamton University's Virtual Advanced Placement Conference, Binghamton, NY.
The document discusses the potential benefits of information and communication technologies (ICT) in education, including improving access to information, supporting lifelong learning, and redressing inequalities. It outlines six pillars that form the foundation of South Africa's White Paper on e-Education, which are infrastructure, connectivity, ongoing professional development, educational portal and content development, research and evaluation, and human resources. The Thutong Education Portal was created to provide teachers and education officials access to curriculum-aligned resources and enable sharing of ideas through online communities.
CNIE: Online Classroom or Community in the Making? Engaged Participant or Kn...guest5eb713
The document discusses a study that examined how online instructors conceptualize and negotiate their teaching presence. Six instructors from different contexts participated in interviews and had their online course interactions analyzed. The findings showed that instructors conceptualized the online spaces in different ways, such as communities, seminars, or student-centered classrooms. However, their abilities to realize these conceptualizations were influenced by tensions from student interactions, technology constraints, or pressures to adopt more teacher-centered approaches. The study concluded that online instructors and students must adapt flexibly to changing needs and identities, and that conceptualizations of teaching presence are constantly evolving.
IDEAL-NM 2010 Keynote - Rural Virtual Schooling: Research on the Teaching and...Michael Barbour
This document summarizes research on rural virtual schooling and the roles of various participants. It finds that while distance education is commonly used in rural districts, there is limited research on K-12 online learning. Most studies describe potential benefits and challenges. The roles of virtual school designers, teachers, and site facilitators are discussed, with research finding that site facilitators who work directly with students are key to program success. Open questions remain about online learning suitability for all students.
The document outlines a professional development training on creating a student-centered learning environment through the use of technology. The training covers identifying methods to incorporate technology and the National Educational Technology Standards, brainstorming creative student-centered approaches, and addressing challenges like funding and copyright. The goal is to equip teachers with the skills and strategies to engage students through a combination of technology, student-centered practices, and active learning.
NSTA Saturday Evening Presentation On Inspire 3 18 2010Bradford Davey
The document proposes designing an online learning community called INSPIRE to engage high school students interested in STEM and NASA. It discusses keys to online learning success such as relevant content, clear expectations, and support for flexible, self-directed learners. INSPIRE will provide NASA-themed activities and competitions to motivate learning while facilitating interaction between students and educators through online and live events. An initial trial involved 1800 students who on average accessed the site twice a week and found it engaging.
This document provides information on creating and planning effective online sessions using Blackboard Collaborate, including its audio/video, polling, breakout room, and recording features. It discusses getting started with Blackboard Collaborate by creating sessions from the Tools section in Blackboard. The document also lists contacts and help resources for using Blackboard Collaborate.
1. The document discusses the use of 3D virtual worlds for online education and the creation of learning communities. It describes a virtual world called AET Zone that was created by Appalachian State University for their Instructional Technology program.
2. AET Zone allows for presence, co-presence, and interaction through avatars. Studies have shown these factors are important for developing online communities and engagement. Student surveys found AET Zone promoted a supportive learning community and continuous, collaborative learning.
3. Over time, AET Zone has grown to include over 2,400 members and additional interactive elements. It serves as the core environment for the Instructional Technology Master's program.
Opportunity out of Change: designing a new approach to student and teaching s...UCD Library
Presentation given at Academic & Special Libraries Annual Conference and Exhibition, February 27, 2014, in Dublin Ireland. Authors Susan Boyle and James Molloy, Liaison Librarians at UCD Library, University College Dublin. Please contact authors directly for permission to quote or reuse.
This presentation as part of iMoot2010 online conference provides an overview of the Moodle-related services offered through Education Network Australia (edna). It takes a tour through adult learning courses, and professional association communities in edna Groups, plus online projects for K-12 teachers and students in OzProjects. It shares what we have learned about Moodle and users in 5 years of supporting Moodle courses and communities.
Moodle is a learning management system that allows teachers to communicate, collaborate, discuss, read, write, listen, explore and learn with students. It provides features like quizzes, blogs, wikis, messaging, chats, discussion forums, RSS feeds, multimedia embedding, student polls, assignment posting, and reports on student activities and participation. Moodle offers grades recording and scoring, as well as extensive reporting capabilities for teachers to monitor student progress.
EnROLE in different designs for teaching: role-based e-learning for universit...Sandra Wills
This document discusses using role-based e-learning designs for university teaching. It describes how traditional university teaching focuses on lectures, labs, and tutorials, but role-based designs immerse students in authentic roles and contexts. The document provides examples of role-based simulations used at various universities, such as a land development negotiation simulation. It also discusses important considerations for designing effective role-based simulations, such as defining student roles and rules, and the teacher's important role in moderating discussions and debriefing the learning experience.
SD DL Academy 2017 - Best Practices in Blended and Distance Learning in CanadaMichael Barbour
Barbour, M. K., & LaBonte, R. (2017, October). Best practices in blended and distance learning in Canada. A presentation at the Building Student Engagement in Blended and Distance Environments, North Battleford, SK.
This document outlines an agenda for exploring challenges of online teaching transitions and improving online presence. It discusses the Community of Inquiry model and its three presences of social, cognitive, and teaching. It provides definitions and examples of teaching presence. The remainder discusses establishing an online persona and provides a rubric and examples of strategies to improve instructional and social presence in online courses.
This document summarizes Zoran Jeremić's PhD dissertation on using semantic web technologies to support collaborative learning. It outlines the basic concepts of collaborative learning and semantic web technologies. It then describes the DEPTHS system, which uses an ontology and semantic web services to provide context-aware learning resources and tools to support project-based learning of software design patterns. An evaluation with students found the DEPTHS approach was generally effective for learning patterns and the integrated tools were useful.
Technological and pedagogical issues surrounding mass production of elearningChristopher Peat
The document discusses the technological and pedagogical issues surrounding the mass production of multimedia learning content. It addresses challenges such as adhering to educational principles, conforming to technology standards, ensuring affordability and accessibility. The document also presents a case study of a project that developed learning objects from classroom materials to retain the original pedagogical approach at a low cost. Stakeholders including academics and learning technologists collaborated to capture classroom interactions and package them into reusable learning objects using open source tools.
Better together? workshop with Dr Stephen Powell #TELfest at Manchester MetChrissi Nerantzi
This document advertises an upcoming development opportunity on collaborative online learning hosted by Chrissi Nerantzi and Dr. Stephen Powell at TELfest on September 13, 2017. It will involve sharing experiences of online and collaborative learning, an overview of frameworks that support collaborative learning with technology, and a discussion of the attendees' contexts and practices. The document also advertises an open online course on flexible, open, and social learning starting on October 2nd that will allow participants to experience online learning as learners and work towards academic credits or use it for informal professional development.
This document discusses online learning in K-12 classrooms. It defines online classrooms and learning management systems, noting they allow classes to be conducted entirely or partially online. Benefits include accessibility from any location, collaboration tools, student-centered learning, and tracking of materials. Research shows online use can increase student performance by supporting learning, engaging students as active participants, and allowing teachers to facilitate learning. The document provides examples of online learning platforms and advises convincing decision-makers of benefits to get started with online classrooms.
This document discusses online learning in K-12 classrooms. It defines online classrooms and learning management systems, noting they allow classes to be conducted entirely or partially online. Benefits include accessibility from any location, collaboration tools, student-centered learning, and management of course materials. Research shows online learning can increase student performance by supporting student learning and engagement. Teachers can focus on facilitating learning globally. The document provides examples of online learning platforms and advises convincing decision-makers of online learning's benefits to get started integrating it.
This document discusses online learning in K-12 classrooms. It defines online classrooms and learning management systems, noting they allow classes to be conducted entirely or partially online. Benefits include accessibility from any location, collaboration tools, student-centered learning, and management of course materials. Research shows online learning can increase student performance by supporting student learning and engagement. Teachers can focus on facilitating learning globally. The document provides examples of online learning platforms and advises convincing decision-makers of online learning's benefits to get started integrating it.
Concordia University piloted a credit information literacy course for 800 "at-risk" students using Moodle to create a hybrid learning experience. Over two terms, 500 students took the course in the fall with positive feedback, and 200 students took it in the winter. Test scores showed an average 33% improvement in information literacy skills. Moving forward, the university aims to increase hands-on activities, student communication, and asynchronous e-learning in the course.
The document discusses Sandra Chambers Gallipeau's co-op experience working in the Learning and Curriculum Support department at the University of Guelph Library. It provides an overview of her responsibilities, which included assisting with the Learning Objects Project Team. The rest of the document outlines best practices for developing learning objects, including following instructional design models, considering learning styles and standards, and ensuring objects are authentic and engaging for users. Evaluation of learning objects is also emphasized.
Understanding E-Learning: Foundations for Effective...Sanjaya Mishra
This document discusses e-learning foundations and strategies for effective online teaching. It defines e-learning and explains why it has become popular, including its accessibility, interactivity, and potential for reduced costs. The document outlines different forms of e-learning and characteristics like interactivity and flexible self-paced learning. It provides frameworks for designing online environments and resources and discusses instructional strategies and technologies used in e-learning.
Strategies to Engage Students in Collaborative Online Learningjalinskens67
Evaluates strategies used in online learning that promotes collaboration. Completed as an assignment for ELT7008-8-3 for Northcentral University, Prescott Valley, AZ.
Week+6+learning+team+A-Krista, Lakota, and VonettaKrista Hogmire
This presentation by Learning Team A outlines the components of an ideal online learning environment. It discusses effective collaboration through learning teams and projects. It also addresses engaging learners through gaming and simulations, communication tools, instructional strategies, and opportunities for reflection. The designer's role is to focus on models like ADDIE and create learner-centered, adaptable, and diverse instruction that allows students to apply new knowledge.
Blended Learning Course ware: Introduction to Poetry Eftekhar Uddin
The document discusses using a blended learning approach in a large, mixed ability poetry classroom at a private university. The author's goal was to engage students in active learning outside of class through collaboration and individualized feedback. To address this, the author proposes using Moodle, an open-source online platform, to supplement face-to-face instruction. Key aspects of the blended approach discussed include social constructivism, formative assessment, and utilizing Moodle features like forums, quizzes, and groups to facilitate collaboration between students.
- Students face challenges with online group work including unequal contributions, difficulties managing different ideas, and issues with individual assessment. Effective online collaboration tools can help address these challenges if implemented properly.
- Google Docs, Wikis, and video conferencing tools like Google Hangouts allow for real-time collaboration but require careful facilitation to encourage participation and avoid issues like editing other students' work. With the right support, these tools have been shown to improve outcomes for online group work.
Blended learning strategies vary according to the discipline, the year level, student characteristics and learning outcomes, and have a student-centred approach to the learning design. Blended learning can increase access and flexibility for learners, increase level of active learning, and achieve better student experiences and outcomes.
This document discusses redesigning a beginning German course through blended learning. It proposes reducing face-to-face class time from 4 to 3 hours per week and supplementing with online content. Benefits include increased scheduling flexibility, access to high-demand courses, and more opportunities for student-teacher and peer interaction. Content that can be effectively delivered online includes vocabulary introduction, reading comprehension, pronunciation practice, and writing exercises. The goals are to engage students through more interactive materials and use classroom time more effectively through preparation and review done online. Success will depend on continual revision and collaboration across the university.
Taking evidence-based professional learning conversations online: Implicatio...mddhani
Presented in one of the parallel sessions during the 15th International Conference on Education 2010 at Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
Presenter/courtesy of Michael Moroney, Lecturer, Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
Presented in one of the parallel sessions during the 15th International Conference on Education 2010 at Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
Presenter/courtesy of Michael Moroney, Lecturer, Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
These slides were initially prepared for a presentation at Hong Kong City University in Oct. 2010. I later added a few slides defining e-learning and addressing 21st century learning.
Magis Instructional Design Model for Transformative Teaching OnlineSandra Annette Rogers
This was prepared for the Association of Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) annual conference. It describes an instructional design model for transformative teaching online that is inclusive of all learners and provides participatory practices.
3. Course Design Characteristics
Place independent
Time independent
Group discourse
Text based interaction
Use of Internet resources
(Harasim, 2012)
4. Course Structure
Explicit schedules
Clear objectives
Includes rubrics
Discussion forums
Small class size
Ongoing assessments
(The Concord Consortium e-learning model for online courses, n.d.)
5. Teaching Strategies
Frequent discussion submissions
Using high quality materials
Interaction between teacher and student
Prompt feedback
Inquiry
Using standard language
(LaPrade, Marks, Gilpatrick, Smith, & Beazley, 2011) (Harris, 2009)
6. Learning Activities
Discussion forums
Group projects
Reflective exercises
Interactive online resources such as
simulations
Using video and audio resources
Creating presentations
(LaPrade, Marks, Gilpatrick, Smith, & Beazley, 2011)
7. Summary
“What improves learning is well-designed
instruction. Online learning environments have many
capabilities and the potential to widen options and
opportunities available to teachers and learners.
However, the key to changing conditions for
improving learning is how these options and
opportunities are utilized by teachers and learners.”
(Harris, 2009, p. 183)
8. References
The Concord Consortium e-learning model for online courses. (n.d.). Concord Consortium.
Retrieved from http://concord.org/sites/default/files/pdf/e-learning-model.pdf
Harasim, L. (2012). Learning theory and online technologies. New York: Routledge.
Harris, S. (2009). Lessons from e-Learning: Transforming teaching. Proceedings Of The International
Conference On E-Learning, 182-190.
LaPrade, K., Marks, A., Gilpatrick, M., Smith, D., & Beazley, J. (2011). Walking through online
classrooms: A study in best practices. Review Of Higher Education & Self-Learning, 3(9), 24-
30.
Smith, L. M. (2006). Best practices in distance education. Distance Learning, 3(3), 59-66.
Editor's Notes
FrameworkOnline Collaborative Learning or OCL is an ideal framework for a distance learning or online education program. It is a learning theory grounded in the belief that learning should be facilitated by the Internet and web technologies that are readily available today. It is based on social interactions, collaboration, and involves a lot of dynamic interaction often in a group based setting.In an online collaborative learning class students work together, discuss issues, and draw conclusions thereby advancing their own knowledge. The Instructor is a facilitator of learning rather than the source of learningOCL has Three phases for the learning process. Harasim defines them as idea generation, idea organization and intellectual convergence.Let’s start with Idea generation. It is a time when students will begin a learning journey. They bring divergent thinking within group or class about the topic; they brainstorming and express their own views & opinions. This builds the foundation for further learningNext is Idea organization. At this point the Discussion continues with students researching their positions and making arguments about their thinking. The group discusses concepts and the facilitator should begin to see some ideas becoming more prominent and others fading. The facilitator should also guide the discussion, moderate as needed, and provide assistance when asked. At this time the group should begin to coalesce around a few main themes. Finally Intellectual convergence – The group shares a common reflection of the shared knowledge at this time. The discussions have converged to a consensus with all participants involved in intellectual progress.
Harasim identifies five critical components for online collaborative learning course design. They are (list). Theses are essential to enable the learning to occur.Place and time independence indicated that the learners can be anywhere and learn at any time. There is no prescribed meeting place or time.Group discourse is the basis for the collaboration. As a highly social learning theory, using OCL pedagogy demands interaction. This has to be an integral part of the design of an OCL program.Text based interaction is also essential as writing reveals a student’s thinking process; writing provides peer to peer interactions; and offers time for reflection on the student’s ideas. The act of writing takes more time and consideration. By its nature it is slower and more focused. Having text-based elements provide students the opportunity to consider what they are saying, their thought process, and their positions.Online resources – With wealth of online resources available, a teacher can bring the world to their students. Whether using simulations or connecting with experts in the field of study, students can interact with information online in a way that has been impossible in the past.
Let’s move on now to what best practices would be for the structure of an OCL course. Having a structure consistent with the OCL theory will support student learning. Explicit schedules – sets expectations for students. They provide the guidance students need to know when they have to be present, the course schedule, and this allows them to plan for their participation. They also set the students expectations for the course plan, provide insight into how they will receive feedback and how they should interact with the instructor and the class.Along that same line, Clear objectives clarify the course expectations and learning plan. Students benefit from having a general sense of what to expect from their learning experience.Rubrics – give students the evaluation criteria for their learning products. Rubrics also give them control. For example, if a student is not able to perform at their customary level for whatever reason, they can look at the rubric and determine the level of effort necessary to achieve a grade with which they will be satisfied.We have already talked about the role of Discussion forums as an essential element. They will promote community and collaborative knowledge creationIn general the class size should be small with generally no more than 25 students. While we have seen MOOCs developed with thousands of students, there is no way an instructor can effectively manage this level of interaction. The teacher to student relationship is part of an OCL class thus requiring a low student to teacher ratio.Finally, Ongoing assessments – provides feedback to instructor about the progess of students and allows the instructor to intervene if a student is headed in the wrong direction.
No discussion about best practices would be complete without considering successful teaching strategies. While in online collaborative learning the teacher is in a facilitating role, they have a significant impact on the overall success of the learning process.For example Frequent discussion submissions promote the three phases of learning discussed earlier. This also allows the instructor to follow the progress of the learning cycle.Second, High quality materials are necessary to keep students engaged and allow them to interact with content. With the numerous interactive textbooks available, a teacher should be able to find content that is attractive and enlightening.Interaction between teacher and student builds the learning relationship. Just as a classroom teacher needs to build rapport in a face-to-face situation, the online instructor needs to connect and interact with students to foster a good learning relationship.Next is Prompt feedback on everything. Students online need to know how they are doing in order to correct any missteps in their learning process.Inquiry as the next element means more than asking open ended questions. It also includes having prompts for discussion or taking an opposing view to start a conversation about the topic at hand.Finally Using standard language throughout the course sets a tone, reinforces the structure and expectations at the outset and maintains these for the duration of the course. Ultimately using standard language also decreases confusion by students.
As we consider best practices across all aspect of a course based on online collaborative learning theory. We have to evaluate the types of learning activities that support this approach.We have already reviewed the importance of Discussion forums.Group projects also facilitate the collaborative learning process and provide an outlet for the social learning that can occurReflective exercises allow students to consider what they have learned and build upon that learning for continued growthInteractive online resources such as simulations, webquests, or interactive learning objects get students to go beyond your online classroom and into the broader world available to themUsing video and audio resources will support different learning styles and modalities, and add variety to the overall course presentationCreating presentations such as this one as an alternative way for students to demonstrate their learning.
Finally I will leave you with this thought from Stephen Harris’ work:What improves learning is well-designed instruction. Online learning environments have many capabilities and the potential to widen options and opportunities available to teachers and learners. However, the key to changing conditions for improving learning is how these options and opportunities are utilized by teachers and learners.Online collaborative learning provides students a learning experience that they will encounter beyond a school’s learning program. In the world beyond school, students have to be able to discuss and defend a position. They have to understand how to interact socially online and build relationships with those they may never see. They have to know how to find experts and resources to help them accomplish a task.Online learning designed using the best practices of OCL is an ideal partnership of ideas to educate our students for the world they will move into.