ETEC5360
Dr. Elwood
How can you best outline, summarize and apply the major concept s and skills reviewed in this session toward the future ideal learning environment?
I would like to state that Chapter 7 Building an Online Classroom was extremely informative. I have outlined most of the issues that I would use in my future learning that can facilitate my abilities with new technology. I understand that we always have to have a course outline with the basics such as the design, planning and what is called the developmental work. The outline helps keep the online course composed with good visuals on the web pages. The set up and facilitation of asynchronous and synchronous discussions elaborate what everyone knows and does not. The posting of assignments and quizzes help with what is learned and understood in the course. It is imperative to divide and organize any and all material and activities for students. Being prepared, being able to access online classroom materials and being able to log in making sure that the software is available.Instructors have to make sure that the pacing of the online course has considerable easiness on timing of opening and closing documents. Being able to download and access documents that needs to be read is necessary. Any web paging and able to perform special tasks needs a bit of work to make sure every students is keeping up and being able to access graphics and/or streaming of media and animations that are funny and of logic.
The web sites have important reading materials using Course Management Software systems (CMS), free web site services like Google, Wiki, Blogging software, YouTube and others that can be accessed for free can be quickly downloaded for convenience, but you have to realize if these programs are compatible with your computer programs.
Students are aware of any and all communication tools that are out there. We use day to day internal email, external email, instant messaging and texting, chat, whiteboard, and other collaborative tools like clock work. The group activities in online courses are helpful in which they track the learners’ contributions and overall participation of the project. It also gives learners a sense of the direction and decisions that the group can make to better their learning.
We are able to organize references relevant web sites that can be used in the course. It made easier to find and retrieve, search and use information to make multiple-choice, short-answer, and true/false exams more interesting. Student are able to access their work and able to keep track of accomplishments. They can also contribution to a more comprehensive evaluation, including their assignments, their postings in discussion, presentations, and being objective to quizzes and essays.
Additional time can be applied to create areas for socializing and discussion lounges to keep issues interesting. By connecting to social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook we are informed on what others are doing and their interests.
The virtual world opened our economic and communication avenues, but keeping up with all this information is suicide.
In Chapter 6, Phase 2 What’s Happening, Themes, and Tools, I like the idea that there is an initial, middle and ending in a course. The launching of the early middle period happens to be the time where the instructor has more of a job to coach and mentor because learners already know what they are expected to learn. By making sure that everyone is engaged with and using the content of the course to grow, all will be fine.
The learner involves the instructor in what they understand in the material and what problems they are encountering. By sharing thoughts and ideas, communication makes it easier to flow in the process of understanding. The instructor by being actively involved makes it easier for the learners to understand.
The course content can be shaped according to the needs, interest and learning characteristics and by communicating and elaborating on activities associated with the directing, monitoring and mentoring of the peer-to-peer community, the instructor can find ways on how to change and manipulate the instruction so that the everyone understands.
Learning can be managed efficiently and effortlessly by keeping track of how the learning is communicated. The course materials and documentation presented facilitates guidance and feedback. By promoting avenues of interaction with audio, video, podcasts, networking Web 2.0, everyone is in tune.
Growth happens when instructors build cognitive presence in students. This is obtained by letting students grow and expand their knowledge in project work, presentations, and reviews. By brainstorming, revising and producing instruction leads to avenues of being able to handle problems with confidence. By having peer-to-peer communication, avenues of easy access to technology and having an agenda, answers have become quicker and easier to obtain.
We build lifelong network of colleagues with the social learning strategies that we have in this century. We can get acquainted and vigilant in our learning. We can minimize the analysis by having work on computer programs that report back with grades. We can link to websites that facility resources and learning. We know that someone out there in our worldwide web knows. Someone always knows and can help.
Resources
Ko, S. (2010). Teaching Online: A Practical Guide, Third Edition (Kindle Locations 3573-3574). T & F Books US. Kindle Edition.
