You do not have to be a wizard to use most of the technology available. However, you need to be able to navigate systems and understand how to use the technology effectively in the online environment. You also have to make sure you do not take away from the presentation by using too much technology. Instructors can take courses in technology if they feel they need to increase their skills. I teach students PowerPoint. They are able to create amazing presentations after one lesson.
I think it depends on the portal that they are working with . Some are very intuitive while others may not be so well designed. I don't teach online, but we are expected to utilize the online portal that is provided for us. I have been using it for a couple of the classes I teach, and it would lend itself very easily to an online course. The school does have online courses, but I don't know if they use the same portal as us or not. I teach Interior Design in a CIDA accredited program. We are not allowed to teach our curriculum online. I do, however teach a Directed Study class, which is part studio and part on the portal (sort of online.) I use the portal to teach the business portion and the class time to critique the portfolios. I am pretty computer savvy, but not all of the faculty are. I think the portal works pretty well, but some of the faculty have issues with it. I think a certain amount of computer experience is needed, even if the portal is well designed.
Excellent idea...there are many sources out there for conference calls as well.
I actually love phone calls, because they are so much more personal in terms of feeling good about who you are dealing with. Ideally I would like to talk once during the term with each on-line student. I will probably state this in my course introduction, so that students won't be alarmed if I call them just to establish that personal touch. I would like students to know that I want them to succeed. This can mitigate the loneliness on-line students may feel.
The protocol for the call is to keep it simple and brief, and keep brief notes of the conversation.
I agree, Although technological expertise certainly would make it easier. Most modern computer technology is set up to be relatively simple and easy to understand and use.
Agree.
Instructional designers do not work in a vacuum; they almost always are working within a larger realm of planners, administrators, etc. who can provide for the technological wizards who will execute what the designer, um, designs. The designer may need to visualize the online content, but rarely needs to actually have the technological wizardry to literally create the online environment.
Whether we are a wiz or just beginning....technology is not going to go away. Everyone has their favorite delivery mode from powerpoints to videos. If you, the instructor, are excited about the class, it will show in your students.
Both! I know that I am not a wiz when it comes to technology, but I also know that I can create and maintain an excellent on-line class experience. I believe that the more I know about technology, the more I can do. This translates into more exciting ways to get my content to the students. I do not need to be a genius with technology. I just need to learn something!
Just like the expert on the campus. Excellent!
Shelly,
I agree with this. They developers just need to be experts at teaching the course that they are developing.
Sincerely,
Vince
Developers of online course do not have to be technological wizards. I prefer developer will train me how to modify, to insert or to create grafics, animations or artworks. I would like to have my vision of the course.
Nothing better than a little hands on experience!
I agree, I have had plenty of experience in which I started off not understanding the concepts of what we needed to do, then, by developing 4 courses and seeing the process, you do become adapted not a wizard, but it allows to know what is not functioning in t a class, for example.
Excellent response Asmeret!
Hi Shelly,
Course developers have to be really good on the subject but at the same time since technology is so central and an integral part, I think it is crucial that course developers have technological grounding. One needs to match the course with the delivery system platform so I'd go with those who suggested the "team" idea allowing the developer to be working closely with IT and Help Desk. I am an online instructor and in the past, I have developed some courses for traditional classes.
Thank you for this timely question because I am in the process of developing a course proposal and the discussion has encouraged me to tap into my past training in Educational Technology
You are oh so correct when you discuss a good IT department support system....excellent!!
Developers of online courses do not have to be technological wizards.
For me the key words here are "have to be". I think it would be nice if those who develop and teach online have those technological skills, but do not believe it is an absolute necessity.
A good IT department to support the person who is interested in teaching in this environment and a motivated instructor would be able to deliver content to the students adequately.
Motivation of the instructor is big (as it is in the traditional classroom). If we as instructors are motivated to inspire our students we will learn the tools to do it regardless of it being an online class or a rational class.
I do believe this, but I think that you need to understand the online program you are using in order to have an effetive class. If the professor does not know what they are doing, how are they going to be able to reach their students?
