Course Development Path to Success
Weekly Update~Summer 2014 Course Development
March 10 -- March 16, 2014
Weekly Update #6: Focus on Community
Online learning is much more than the self-paced, “correspondence course” that you might at first imagine (see more Myths of Online Learning). The key instructional design model that ensures this is called Community of Inquiry. This model proposes that an online course is made up of a community of learners. A strong online community keeps students engaged with the content, encourages them to think critically and articulate their ideas, and provides a supportive environment in which to do that. One might even argue that the interaction in an online course can create a much stronger intellectual community than a traditional in-person class where some students can sit anonymously in the back of the room while the instructor lectures.
To build a community among students, there are numerous tools that are available: discussion board, collaborative projects, wikis, blogs, and real time (synchronous) sessions. How to choose?
First, identify your desired outcome: a good discussion? collaboration among students? reflection? sharing? getting help? Then, pick the tool that is most appropriate for your goals. The following brief presentations talk about this “purpose first, tool second” approach to designing online interactions.
Week 6 To-Do's
- Peruse the resources that are listed below and choose which interactive activities you will include in your course.
- Once you have chosen the interactive tools, set expectations for the level and extent of the interactions. Students will need clear directions and motivation to get involved. Decide if and how the interactions will be graded.
- Decide upon your role; an instructor must maintain a strong presence in the online classroom since students do not have the opportunity to interact with you in person. How will you interact with students in an online discussion? For group work, how can you check in and monitor progress, redirect students when necessary, and provide encouragement? Consider these factors now so that you are better prepared when your course begins.
- If you decide to use a synchronous component in your course (Blackboard Collaborate, for instance) for live lectures, student presentations, office hours, and/or guest speakers, you will need to book your Collaborate room in advance (see "Signing up for a Blackboard Collaborate" room below). Also, you should test out the technology prior to using it with your students.
There will be no e-newsletter next week, due to Spring Break. The following week will cover the topic of personalizing your online course.
Resources
View the Tools section of the BPP (located in the main course menu). Open the "Synchronous Tools" folder. This folder contain information on tools that can be used for "real time" discussion and collaboration.
Signing up for a Blackboard Collaborate room
GSE provides our faculty with access to Blackboard Collaborate, a web-conferencing system developed for educational purposes. Collaborate allows you to work with your remote students in real time. To schedule a Collaborate virtual room view the directions for signing up for a Collaborate room. Please let me know if you would like to request Collaborate training and I would be happy to work with you.
The UBIT Communicating and Collaborating site: Discover ways to communicate with your students using blogs, discussion boards, wikis and more.
Further Reading
CREST+ Model: Writing Effective Online Discussion Questions
A model that encourages students to participate in online forum discussions, provides a template for new online faculty to use in creating effective discussion questions, and promotes a higher level processing of the material.
Three Ways to Improve Student Engagement in the Online Class
Integrating active learning, fostering a personal connection with students, and facilitating the process of learning
Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities
Designing an Exemplary Course
A four week online course, open to all UB faculty and staff
Course begins on March 17
Workshop- Blackboard Collaborate: The Basics and Beyond
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 • 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
381 Baldy Hall, North Campus
Coffee Chat- What’s your Story? Planning your course through story-boarding and concept mapping
Tuesday, April 1, 2014 • 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
381Baldy Hall, North Campus
Click here to schedule a one-on-one consultation with an instructional designer (either as a web-conference or in person).
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