20+ Innovative (and COOL!) Tools to Enhance Online Instruction and Student Learning.

Transcription

1 20+ Innovative (and COOL!) Tools to Enhance Online Instruction and Student Learning

2 Presenters Julee S. Poole, Ph.D. Kaplan University School of Social and Behavioral Sciences - Academic Chair Graduate Psychology Department Austin Peay State University Online Adjunct Faculty Psychology Department Betsy Tomei, MBA, MA Kaplan University School of Social and Behavioral Sciences Scheduling Manager

3 Abstract This interactive workshop will explore practical and easy to use technology (and COOL!) tools that will enhance course instruction, improve student learning, and support instructor/student interactions. Workshop participants will be introduced to 20+ practical and user friendly (free) tools that can be easily implemented and utilized in teaching course content, building online community, retaining students and enhancing student learning. Online learning tools to be discussed include: 1) Communication Tools; 2) Course Resource Tools; 3) Audio/Video Tools; 4) Game Development Tools; and 5) Google Tools. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to play with the 20 free (and COOL!) tools throughout the workshop.

4 Learning Objectives Identify theories and ways in which technology tools can impacts student learning and can improve teaching practices. Discover how technology tools can benefit different learning styles in the online learning environment. Provide resources that enhance the communication processes between instructor and students. Explore technology tools which can improve online course instruction and the learning process. Understand how the use of audio and video tools can improve online course delivery and enhance the learning experience. Evaluate the importance of using games in the learning process and technology tools that allow for game development to enhance learning. Practice and create resources using specific technology tools which can then be implemented in best teaching practices.

5 Technology Tools in Online Learning Students want a quality, engaging, interactive, collaborative, enriching educational experience Students tend to be tech savvy exhibiting fluency in the use of online technologies, but are unaware how these tools can be used to learn. Instructors need to identify evaluate, connect, and employ online tools that meet all learning styles. Many of these tools can empower and help students to choose, create, collaborate, share, network and present their work. Tools with a purpose

6 Traditional Model of Online Learning Instructor Presentation Student

7 Interactive Model of Online Learning Instructor Groups

8 Self-Determination Theory Provides a comprehensive understanding of human motivation Self-determination theory 3 basic psychological human needs that influence autonomous motivations 1. The need for autonomy 2. The need for competence 3. The need for relatedness It is important that the learning environment be structured in a way that meets these needs.

9 Student Motivation and Engagement Intrinsic Motivation Extrinsic Motivation External Motivation Introjected Motivation Identified Motivation Integrated Motivation

10 Learning Styles - VARK Visual maps, diagrams, charts, graphs, flowcharts Preference among students at 4 year universities 4 th Aural lectures, tutorials, group discussions Preference among students at 4 year universities 3 rd Read/Write PowerPoint slides, discussion boards, webpages Preference among students at 4 year universities 2 nd Kinesthetic movies, videos, demonstrations, simulations, case studies, practical applications Preference among students at 4 year universities 1 st Most likely to engage students and foster active learning, yet most challenging for online courses

11 20+ Innovative (and Cool!) Tools For Educators Website For each tool, we had three requirements That they be easy to use, They had purpose they could enhance instruction and interactions, & They were FREE! The website provides you: The right tool For the right strategy Just a mouse click a way

12 Categories of (Cool!) Tools Communication Tools Course Resources Tools Audio Video Tools Game Development Tools Google Tools

13 For Each Tool Brief description of tool Perks for using the tool Tutorial video on how to use the tool Our personal example demonstrating to tool Web address to directly access the tool 20+ Innovative (and Cool!) Tools for Educators Website

14 Communication Tools Encourages meaningful instructor presence. Encourages instructor to student interactions Encourages student to student interactions Encourages group collaboration Encourages problem based learning Encourages effective and knowledgeable presentations Communication Tools

15 Course Resources Provides opportunity to assess learning in real time and through online quizzes. Provides tools to simplify your life and can be shared with students (you will be a hero!) Provides you with the opportunity to organize your resources all in one location and share them with students. Provides you with the opportunity to utilize resources on the web and create your own resources. Course Resources

16 Audio Video Tools Provides a welcoming, supportive and student friendly learning environment Provides an alternative to lectures. Provides a narrative or video to support text based learning. Provides an effective means to motivate and inform students. Provide students with a means to develop and create based on learned knowledge. Audio Video Tools

17 Game Development Tools Is it wrong to make learning fun? Using games in the online classroom Engages learners keeps increasing engagement Provides an interactive learning experience Provides instant feedback Creates challenges to conquer Allows for try try try again until you win Allows for progression to higher levels of learning Illustrates progress - Beat that score! Instills a sense of accomplishment Game Development Tools

18 Google Resources Google has revolutionized the way we collaborate virtually and that now extends to working with students too Free resources to those with a Google account Drive including DOCS, SHEETS, and SLIDES Hangouts and Voice Google+ and Communities Sites Extremely user-friendly and easy to collaborate Google Resources

19 In Summary Through the targeted use of technology in the online classroom motivates students to learn and directly relates to their enjoyment and ease of use with various technological mediums. The savvy use of technology can reach students with various learning styles. And in that, technology allows instructors and students to create and design their own unique products reflective of their personalities and learning needs/styles. Through the use of technology tools, as instructors, we can improve communication and interactivity; build course resources that support learning; use audio and video to enhance the learning experience; and use games to make learning enjoyable. Technology encourages students to manipulate media to construct their own meaning. Teaching is hard, technology should not be! Work, interact, and teach smart with technology!

20 References Alexander, R. (2013). Collaborate in Google Hangouts. Learning & Leading with Technology, 41(1), Innovative and (Cool Tools!) for the Educator. (2015) Retrieved at sites.google.com/site/20cooltoolsfored/ Dabbagh, N. (2007). The online learner: Characteristics and pedagogical implications. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 7(3), Deci, E.L., & Ryan, R.M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. New York, NY: Plenum Press. Deci, E.L., & Ryan, R.M. (1985). The what and why of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), DePietro, P. (2013). Transforming education with new media: Participatory Pedagogy, Interactive Learning and Web 2.0. The International Journal of Technology, Knowledge, and Society 8, Diaz, V. (2010). Web 2.0 and emerging technologies in online learning. New Directions for Community Colleges, 150, Duckworth, E. (1964). Jean Piaget, Piaget Rediscovered. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 2, 175.

21 References Eatherton, T. (February, 2015). Making technology meaningful. Techniques, 8-9. Garrison, D.R., Anderson, T. & Archer, W. (2000). Critical inquiry in a text-based environment: Computer conferencing in higher education model. The Internet and Higher Education, 2(2-3), Gaytan, J. (2013). Factors Affecting Student Retention in Online Courses: Overcoming this Critical Problem. Career & Technical Education Research, 38(2), doi: /cter Kumar, R. & Lightner, R. (2007). Games as an interactive classroom technique: Perceptions of trainers, college instructors, and students. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 19(1), Liebowitz, J. (2013). A Comparative Study of Emerging Technologies for Online Courses. Distance Learning, 10(3), 1-11.

22 References Mupinga, D. (2006). The learning styles, expectations, and needs of online students. College Teaching, 54(1), 185. Murphrey, T., Arnold, S., Foster, B., & Degenhart, S. H. (2012). Verbal Immediacy and Audio/Video Technology Use in Online Course Delivery: What Do University Agricultural Education Students Think? Journal of Agricultural Education, 53(3), Niemiec, C.P., & Ryan, R.M. (2009). Autonomy competence and relatedness in the classroom. Applying self-determination theory to educational practice. Theory and Research in Education, 7(2), Park, S.W. (2013). The potential of Web 2.0 tools to promote reading engagement in a general education course. Tech Trends, 57(2), Sherer, P. & Shea, T. (2011). Using online video to support student learning and engagement. College Teaching 59,

23 References Thiele, A.K., Mai, J.A., & Post (2014). The student-centered classroom of the 21st century: Integrating Web 2.0 applications and other technology to actively engage students. Journal of Physical Therapy Education, 28 (1), Tu, Chih-Hsiung (2005). From presentation to interaction: new goals for online learning technologies. Educational Media International, 42(3), Weber, M., & Dereshiwsky, M. (2013). Audio-Enhanced Technology Strengthens Community Building in the Online Classroom. JEP: EJournal Of Education Policy, 1-7. VARK: A guide to learning styles. Retrieved from Zuckweiler, K. M. (2012). Using Emerging Technologies to Enhance Student Learning in the Online Classroom. Decision Line, 43(1), 6-8.

24 Questions