How Much Technological Expertise Does It Take?
Developers of online courses do not have to be technological wizards. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your answer.
@wfalls
I agree with Bill. There are many times when we need to be able to help students with their technology problems. Just refering them to tech support is insufficient. In a class where face to face interaction is so limited, it makes the instructor's position stronger to be able to make recommendations to correct student shortcomings. in addition, we need to know how to use all of the tools we are presented with. Again, this makes students' confidence in the instructor stronger.
@s101crider
I would agree with this. As instructors we do need to know the technology that our classrooms have and how to use it. If we are technically challenged we can't teach our subject effective.
@s101crider
I disagree. I have taught online for 9 1/2 years and taught hybrid classes for 4 yrs. I am not an IT person. I'm a scientist. I have developed two online science labs, then managed two committees to redesign two labs from nothing. I was part of three redesigns of two science classes and wrote several of the assignments. In the two hybrid classes that I have taught I designed the syllabus and how the class was designed. What part was online and what part was in the classroom. The key is content experts. We are the content experts, not the technical wizards. We in whatever discipline you are in know what topics, goals, and objectives a student needs to know, not them. They provide the format on how this subject content is produced. It is similar to producers making a movie. There are producers and actors. The Technical wizards are the producers and we are the actors. We know what to say and how to present it. They know what to give us in order for us to do this.
@s101crider I agree, the average person does not need need to be tech savoy.
I do not think this process requires one to be a "technical wizard". However, one does need to complete the training required to be competent in the classroom. Realistically, any course development will be piloted and reviewed before going "Live" so any issues would be noted.
Good Morning,
I think the answer depends on the course being developed and the platform used to deliver it. Before a course can be effectively developed, one must have the skills needed to construct the course so it can be implemted within the platform. This means that the instructor must have a thorough understanding of the virtual classroom and all tools provided. This will then allow the instructor to design the course with these tools in mind.
@s101crider :It may be true you do not have to be a wizard to develop a great course. However, you need to have the knowledge of a specific discipline and teaching methodology.
I agree a developer would find it difficult to provide a dynamic environment for online learners without the integration of various activities.
I do not believe that developers need to be technological wizards, they do need to be saavy to the use of technology to create presentations, obtain videos and search for supporting documentation.
Glenda,
Great post. There are simple things non wizards can do to enhance a class.
Shelly Crider
Not technical wizards, but technically competent.
The developer would need to know how to create appropriate content, but PowerPoint can do animations and demonstrations, and that doesn't require any wizardry.
Pat,
Yes, make sure that you have resources that you can pull from when you have questions.
Shelly Crider
Brian,
I love the fact that you paired up with a SME! This is the best of both worlds!
Shelly Crider
I don't think you have to be a tech wizard, though it probably helps to have some assistance in this area to make the course more interesting. Lack of expertise can lead to lack of content, short-cuts, and generally non-engaging content. So if you're short on technical know-how, you should seek to add it somehow.
Hi Everyone,
I agree that developers do not need to be technological wizards. There is, of course, a baseline technological knowledge that an online course developer needs, but it really isn't any more than the knowledge needed to facilitate an online course.
I have designed a couple online courses. When I did so I was paired with a professional course developer and I was actually the subject matter expert. It really helped because it paired my knowledge of the material for the course with someone else's expertise in course structure and technology.
Best,
Brian Stout
Joseph,
It is always good to have a second set of eyes look at your course!
Shelly Crider
Wanda,
So true! We do live in an extremely tech savvy world!
Shelly Crider
Developers do not have to be technological wizards, but it will not take long for students to figure out the course is of poor quality. Developers should seek the help of "technical wizards" when they are designing the course.
I also agree that developers do not have to be technological wizards, but as has stated they do have to have some degree of technology knowledge. In a world that is extremely tech savvy it is important for the person developing the course not be a novice.
Thanks,
Wanda
