good point....if you school uses developers, I do hope they have experience in class development.
I don't belive that online course developers have to be technological wizards. However, I do believe that the developer should have some basic knowleged of technology.
The exception to this thinking is if you are developing computer courses. The designers of these courses should have a higher understanding of technology and how to incorporate technology into the LMS (classroom).
Oh so true. Many publishers have awesome resources ready for most platforms.
I don't think that course developers have to be technological wizards though it's certainly beneficial if they are. Typically there are a good number of technological resources included in the Instructor resources included with any given text, thus if they are a SME with an average handle on technology they can probably create a dynamic course without being a 'wizard'.
Do you think that classes should come with tutorials as well?
Although it would make easier, almost every program today comes with tutorials and those that don't the internet is always available. Developers require to know the components of designing the online course they are not require to know so much about technology as it may be thought. With some basic computer skills and technological knowledge they will be able to design an effective online course.
I agree, however they must have a very good knowledge of the various types of media and how they are used in an online classroom.
In a perfect world the developer should have both skill sets, but in reality that is rarely the case. What makes sense is to pair an instructional designer with technological know how with a subject matter expert, so that you have the best of both worlds.
The design of classes are fun to do. It is nice to know HTML just in case there is an error in the HTML.
I think that it depends on the platform. Some require the use of HTML, which does require a little more tech savvy, especially with the addition of graphics. I have done both, and I truly find course design to be more fun when I do not have to worry about the HTML. The new text editors allow for font changes and graphics additions without all of the hassle of HTML coding, which gives me more time to think about the look and feel of the course--and to add more content and assessments where needed.
Tara
Being able to explain to students how things work is a must. So if there is something technical in your class...know how it works. This saves a lot of frustration.
Hi Shelly,
In this day and age there is a lot of user friendly software and good help modules to handle the technological wizardry of developing media content. I had some issues with supplying content which my shool librarty helped with and some coordination of you tube video which the tech support people helped with.
Ed
While online course developers do no have to be technological wizards they do need a basic understanding of how/where to find medial and materials for their online course. Once done they need to understand the process of embedding a link and adding audio. I disagree that online developers need to be wizards but they need some essential computer skills for sure.
you might want to add online libraries to the basics an instructor may need to know. Many students do not know how to do research.
Not wizards, however you do need to know the basics of e-mail, social media, the institution's portal. As well, it's very good to have contact names and numbers of the IT support team who provide invaluable assistance regarding glitches that surface along the way. There are just some things you won't be able to fix. :)
I always admit when I don't know how to fix something -- our students are quite technologically savvy and find nothing odd about you letting them know you are working with IT to solve a problem or answer any question they have that's beyond your capabilities.
I agree because they don't have to have all the knowledge of a technological wizard, but they need the minimum requirement of knowledge needed for IT.
do you feel that people above 40 years of age agree with this?
Agree. Common sense and the willingness learn another way to express ones self. Technology nowadays makes it very easy for the person off the street to excel. I beliebe that in some way levels the playing field.
Exactly....if you do not know the technology yourself, how will you explain it to your students.
