Conducting Online Student Orientation Using Internet- Enabled Conferencing

Transcription

1 Conducting Online Student Orientation Using Internet- Enabled Conferencing Kadriye O. Lewis, Ed.D & Raymond C. Baker, M.D, M.Ed Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Division of General and Community Pediatrics 3333 Burnet Avenue (MLC 2011) Cincinnati, Ohio 45229

2 Objectives Understand the importance of incorporating orientation into online courses at an early stage Explore the Internet-based conferencing technology as an orientation tool (e.g. WebEx) Participate in and learn how to set up and conduct a live, internet-based teleconference. Identify and respond to frequently asked questions from students during orientation. Identify the importance of orientation in reducing student attrition from online courses Identify the strengths and weaknesses of using synchronous and asynchronous formats for orientation.

3 Online Masters Degree in Education for Physicians and Other Healthcare Professionals A Joint Project of...

4 Program Goals To provide avenues for continuing professional development and learning for healthcare professionals To help healthcare professionals meet their educational and professional career goals through online learning To train them as effective educators within three educational themes (Adult Learning, Curriculum and Teaching Instruction, and Evaluation and Educational Research)

5 Program Goals Offer an accredited, advanced degree program in education resulting in a Master's Degree in Education. Provide this program online via Blackboard, which allows time flexibility and accessibility to reach a national audience of full-time healthcare professionals

6 Target Audience Physicians and other healthcare professionals with significant teaching responsibilities and interests. Physicians and other healthcare professionals with responsibilities and interests in educational research Physicians in academic clinical fellowships in all disciplines who seek an advanced degree alternative to traditional MPH and MS graduate degrees

7 Curriculum A two-year period of part time course work Online orientation The 45 credit hour program focuses on three educational themes: adult learning curriculum and instruction educational research and evaluation

8 Required Core Courses 18 CI 850 Program Development in Higher Education - Adult Learning (3) 18 CI 701 Masters Research Seminar: C&I (3) 18 CI 785 Improving Instructional Effectiveness (3) 18 CI 776 Integrating Technology Across the Curriculum (3) 18 CI 784 Multicultural Education (3) 18 CI 885 Attitude Formation and Change (3)

9 Required Core Courses 18 EDFN Human Learning (3) 18 EDFN 710 Introductory Statistical Methods (3) 18 EDFN 802 Introduction to Field Methods in Qualitative Research (3) 18 EDFN 689 Educational Measurement and Evaluation (3) 18 EDAD 774 Principles of Curriculum Organization and Development (3) 18 EDAD 812 Curriculum Evaluation (3)

10 Additional Requirements Electives: 18 CI Topical Seminar - Medical Informatics (3) or 18 CI Individual Study in C&I (3) 18 CI Field Experiences Practicum (3) 18 CI C&I Individual Master Project (3)

11 Course Delivery Methods Core required courses are offered via Blackboard Additional facilities Video conferencing WebEx Net meeting

12 Online Orientation Via WebEx Demo

13 Internet-Based Conferencing Tool (WebEx) Permits collaboration online using Windows or Macintosh. Incorporates Web conferencing, video conferencing, and teleconferencing into easily accessible live presentations. Capabilities of WebEx - sharing presentation documents, online master s defense, online searches, asking questions, interacting with other participants, printing or saving instructional materials, chatting, recording, remote control of other computers and file transfer, all from participants desks.

14 Goals and Objectives of Orientation Provide an overview of the masters program Teach participants how to be more effective learners when they take courses online. Increase participants motivation Establish an online learning community Introduce the participant to online learning in an academic and personal perspective Provide instruction in technologies needed for optimal online learning

15 Goals and Objectives of Orientation Provide information and assistance to participants so that they may succeed academically Insure that students feel adequately prepared to face the challenges of online learning Allow participants to meet each other and faculty members in order to develop new relationships and establish the online team Introduce and familiarize participants with the online vehicle of instruction Blackboard & WebEx

16 A Model of Online Synchronous Orientation Orientation begins at the time of program application Conduct one-on-one or in small groups Conduct needs assessment ( communication and phone conversations) Define needs Identify focus area of orientation Set up time and date based on student preference

17 Alternative Methods of Orientation On-Site Synchronous Asynchronous

18 On-Site Orientation Strengths Ice-breaking activities are more effective Participants and instructors get to know each other better More spontaneous communication Provides a greater sense of participation Session can be recorded for a later viewing Evaluation data can be collected by direct observation Weaknesses Participants have to travel to the site Time consuming Expensive (e.g. accommodation, food, and travel expenses)

19 Synchronous Orientation (via WebEx) Strengths Time flexible Cost effective Spontaneous communication Provides a greater sense of participation (compared to asynchronous) Voice and data exchanges occurring in real-time. Session can be recorded for later viewing The ability to exchange files Weaknesses Ice-breaking activities more challenging Limitations of the technology platform and access Technical problems Repetition (compared to asynchronous)

20 Asynchronous Orientation Strengths Accessibility 24/7 Cost effective Prolonged time intervals between communications Allows more time for reflection Allows more time for learning The ability to exchange files More opportunities for active learning Weaknesses Designing and producing the web site or CD time intensive and expensive Mostly text based Impersonal Limitations technology platform and access Ice-breaking activities not feasible Typing is not a spontaneous or easy way to communicate for most people Technical problems

21 Conclusion Orientation: Helps learners make a successful transition to effective online learning as well as facilitate academic and social interactions in a new environment. Makes a significant impact on student success in course work/program. Increases retention in the online program

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