Agree. The growth and complexity of knowledge has in large measure moved many disciplines in the direction of specialization that requires increasingly more capable communicators. To achieve the necessary communication, online course developers cannot remain uninformed neophytes regarding the technology that supports their course designs, and likewise the supporting IT technologists cannot remain ignorant of the objectives of course developers. Some level of mutual knowledge and understanding must exist to facilitate the communication, cooperation, collaboration, and teamwork necessary to create and deliver the course subject matter content developed by course developers across complex media systems developed by IT technologists.
I believe that professor that embark in the adventure of developing an online course need to have some degree on expertise or at least a basic training in the use of learning management system and web design tools.
From our experience as Director of Distance Learning few years ago much of the disappointment for our students and faculty was the very fact that many professor did not understand how online course can be develop and therefore create false expectations of what can and cannot be done.
Krisy....I love resources! We could have a whole course on where and how to find resources!!
It seems the more you know the more resources you have available to build your course. A limited capacity for technology and access programs could work against you as a developer.
That is a good plan Allen. Do keep up on the technology.
The answer to this question depends on the protocol of the college. Regardless of the protocol, having knowledge to some degree of both perspectives is important. That being said, the approach that I design online classes is I serve as a subject matter expert and there is a technology expert who puts my content together in the online platform. I like this approach best. It allows me to do what I do best and focus on content, and the same for the technology expert. At the same time, I keep myself updated enough on the technology side so I know what I am doing and can assist the technology expert when necessary.
As an Instructor who has not yet taught an on-line course, it does seem intimidating. I consider myself to be "moderately adept" at computers/technology, and there are a number of techniques that on the face of it seem daunting, but as with most new pursuits, one must begin at a starting point, learn and move forward. Perhaps it would be helpful to work with an existing on-line Instructor to see how it is done.
John Eliassen
I do not think that you must be a techno wizard to be an effective online instructor. However, having a few tricks up your sleeve can be an asset.
Why is it that the phone call can be so scary? I know a lot of people who would rather email than pick up the phone!
I have recieved similar amount of training. I do believe the biggest thing is support and willingness to get someone on the phone to assist you if you are having diffculites.
Do you ever have issues with students who use a MAC instead of Windows?
It varies, often depending upon the school and the program students are enrolled in. I find it very helpful to have a good technical support team. The assignments that are submitted to my online classes are individual papers, group papers, completed worksheets, and discussion board posts. I am not ware of some of the programs students are using to essentially create word documents, but essentially, for better or worse, I have used a particular word processing program for years. I can do a little trouble-shooting if an assignment has not posted, but I generally feel that technical support people have greater experience in these areas.
There are many free webinars out there to help you with just what you need.
I disagree. This course has presented possibilities and options of which I am ignorant. I will have to be taking a crash course in all manner of methods I have never used.
I'm not sure that you have to be a wizard, but you have to know what is available or know how to research what is available. You also have to have access to information on how to incorporate the technology into the classroom or have someone available who can help you.
There are many free webinars out there to help you brush up.
I feel they developers need to at least have an intermediate level of knowledge in technology. As other people pointed out, a fundamental level of knowledge in web design would help greatly.
I have a small amount of experience in web design, but after reading through this past lesson, I'm definitely going to go back and brush up on my skill set a bit.
Excellent. Many people will not ask and just try and then get frustrated. Asking is the perfect answer.
