Understanding Online Learning. Najib Manea

Transcription

1 Understanding Online Learning Najib Manea

2 Introduction Online Learning vs. Traditional Learning Advantages and disadvantages of online learning Elements of online learning Environments Assessment & Evaluation What is Important to Faculty, Students, Admin, and Tech Support The Future of Online Learning

3 What is Online Learning? Online learning is the learning that uses technology as a delivery tool, an is taken for university credit. Classroom-based programs, services, activities Digital/online offerings that supplement regular classroom work Others? For sure.

4 Online Learning Elements Policies Copy rights Faculty Compensation Degree requirements Infrastructure CMS Online Registration Online Advising and Tutoring Hierarchy Certification Faculty Courses Student Orientations

5 Quality of Online Learning Online and On-Campus are not the same Not just a matter of putting materials online Objectives may be the same But, there are differences, such as: Engaging the student (presence) Clarifying the unclear (questions in eyes) Time and distance (immediacy) Emphasis on written (discussion boards) How do we achieve quality online?

6 Quality of Online Learning Learning objectives Defining Quality (rubrics) Teaching approaches (constructivist) Effective practices Formative evaluations (GetFast) Student / Faculty Satisfaction Community of Practice Challenges from the group!

7 Why Online Learning? Because we can! To offer more opportunities for students to stay in school and work toward graduation. To increase access to courses that may not otherwise be available. To address differing student needs related to pace of learning, learning environment, language ability, and/or health or special needs. To accelerate student progress through collaboration. To prepare students for the future, as business is becoming more reliant on virtual environments.

8 Advantages For students: ease of access, variable schedule For faculty: creation of re-usable content, distribution of resources (no photocopying!), clarification of subject More Motivation Online courses meet student needs for flexible access It is the best way to reach particular students No travel for both instructors and students Costs reduced Ability to remain current More?

9 Social and Institutional Benefits Access The Ability to Aggregate Learning Communities Specialized Degree Programs Curricular Integrity High-Enrolling On-campus Programs New Pedagogy for the Information Society

10 Disadvantages For students: cost or inconvenience of access, technology difficulties, lack of direct contact For faculty: need to prepare material ahead of time, technology difficulties, increased workload handling , etc Difficulty in grasping material in quantitative courses Little interaction Requires More Work to be Successful More?

11 Greatest Barriers Students need more discipline to succeed in online courses Faculty Inadequate compensation for development and/or delivery Additional faculty effort required to develop online courses

12 Components of Online Learning Course Management System Syllabus Lectures Quizzes/Exams Assignments Chat rooms Discussion Boards.. Web 2.0 tools Learning Communities

13 Iinstructional system design 13

14 The New Pedagogy Focus on Inquiry and Problem Solving Resource-Focused Rather than Content Focused Collaborative Develops Skills Needed for Information Society Work

15 Trends in Online Learning General Emphasis on Adult, Part-Time Learners Growing Financial Aid Support for Adult Learners Building the Workforce Pipeline Virtual Schools Dual Enrollment Teacher Education Blended Degree Programs Hybrid Courses Inter-Institutional Collaborations

16 Institutional Support Tech infrastructure Faculty training and support for development Faculty training and support for delivery Support for students

17 Institutional Support Institutional policy on intellectual property that adequately protects faculty Provides sufficient incentives for developing Provides sufficient incentives for delivering Recognition of online instruction for faculty tenure and promotion

18 Learning Objectives In developing an online version of a class begin at the beginning what is the goal? State the learning objectives (outcomes) Use a verb to state the outcomes The student will.. Recall Bloom s Taxonomy? Include standards (how often, how well) Include conditions (what circumstances)

19 Constructivism Constructivist Approach Knowledge is active (built by the student mind) Knowledge is adaptive (various adaptations) Knowledge is subjective (personal knowledge) Building knowledge is both social and personal Keys to implementing this approach Instructor engages the students and materials Student engages material, other students and instructor Social, cognitive and teaching presence are all needed

20 How do we know we are on course? If the students are not there in front of you If you cannot see the questions or boredom How do you know you are on course? Formative Evaluations! Class evaluations for course corrections Use WebCT to create an anonymous survey Or use this free tools sample evaluation questions!

21 Community of Practice It takes a. Community! It is a community that brings success: Faculty are at the engines of the endeavor Staff make the technology and many of the connections work Students are at the core of the endeavor Bringing this community together to make sure that it works Example:

22 What was important to students? Online programs meet the same programmatic requirements as on-campus Integrated access to electronic resources in support of online education. Faculty receive regular and objective feedback from students. Students able to register and pay online Availability of on-site testing services or off-site proctored testing services. Electronic reserves.

23 Faculty Items of greater importance sufficient network infrastructure and bandwidth user friendly course management system user friendly course management system

24 Important to Tech Support Support new online faculty by providing instructional designers. Potential students have access to training about the expectations, needed skills, etc. Technical skills screening prior to enrolment in online classes. Web-based information geared toward the needs of online and prospective online students.

25 Important to Administrators Articulation agreements Online program staff works with student services Provide online technical, design and pedagogical support for faculty. Respect for faculty member's academic freedom.

26 Important to Students & Admin User friendly CMS Reliable infrastructure and sufficient bandwidth Standardized tools Same learning outcomes as the classroom Access to traditional on-ground services Accreditation

27 More to consider Synchronous sessions Engaging students Presence Inter-institutional collaborations Assessment and evaluation

28 The Future of Online Learning Three Components: Knowledge management Learning communities Learning Objects

29 Links and other Presentations Strategies for Success: Interactive, Online Learning Online Survival: Success strategies for students and instructors Online Testing and Evaluation Matching Feedback and Assessment to Online Activities