1. Is it easy to use? Sender and receiver must be able to access and use it in a functional way.
2. Is it effective? Must achieve the desired outcomes.
3. Is it purposeful? Muse achieve unit and course objectives as well as be useful in student's and practitioner's lives.
It is important to consider the following 3 items: 1) that you communicate effectively thru emails 2) consistent, timely and substantive feedback in the discussion boards 3)proper feedback on all assignments that include how to improve or correct any errors that were made.
John,
You are right. I try to provide students with tips for technology issues before the class begins and keep an FYI bulletin board discussion going for technology tips. Thanks!
John, in online courses we do all we can to make sure the technology tools are available to our students, but sometimes technical support is required. The instructor cannot always be the place to go for technical issues. We can encourage and motivate our students and provide support in so many ways, but some issues will need to be resolved with technical help beyond the instructor.
John,
Student access is essential, but making sure the tool does what you need it to do, and ngages students are also necessary. And, don't forget to assess that technology to make sure it's what you and the students need. Thanks!
John,
You're right. We should simply engage students without thinking about how to effectively engage them. This is a very good point. Thanks for your input.
Camila,
Ah yes - technology is a TOOL. It does not replace the instructor and is not the goal of learning, but should help the student learn. This is very important to think about. Thanks for sharing.
Stanley,
Right on. The ability of the students, their adapatibility and what the institution have to offer all play effective roles in the learning process - especially online. Thanks!
Dr. Tena B. Crews
Stanley,
That's a good way to think about it. Thanks for your input.
Belinda and Nicole,
Thanks for continuing the conversation so we can continue to learn from each other.
Belinda,
You bring up a good point that others have not - the size of the group. We think about the content and the students' abilities, but many times forget that the number of students is a factor too. Nice job.
LaFanya ,
The tool should enhance the learning environment for sure. You ask good questions. Thanks so much.
LaFanya ,
Thanks for asking key questions. If students do not have access to the tools or know how to use them properly, communication will fail. And, communication is essential for success. Thanks!
Anthony,
You are so right. When you have such diversity you do have to KISS it. You have many great thoughts and your experience is wonderful. Thanks for sharing your expertise with others.
I believe the following are most important:
1) Will all students be able to access the technology tool at the times required and for the length of time that is necessary?
2) Is the technology tool suited and appropriate for the types of students accessing it?
3) Will there be enough interaction between all of the students and the instructor using this technology tool?
I believe it is important to consider the following:
1) Will there be enough interaction and the kind of interaction that is necessary between the instructor and students?
2) Is the technology tool suited to the different ability levels of students or to the types of students who are going to use it?
3) Will the technology tool be accessible to all students at the time required and will it be appropriate for the amount of time needed by all students involved.
The three most important considerations are:
1) It is important to bring to light that technology is the tool, not the goal of learning. The technology should be available to help students to not disrupt their learning.
The technology should be available to help student creating a seamless environment learning.
2) Nevertheless, if there is difficulty in the use of technology, there must be fast and efficient support available.
3)The technology must be appropriate to the characteristics and limitations of students.
Students ability to handle technology.
Adaptability of subject matter to online methods.
The institution's technical capability.
Ability includes motivation, I think. Are students willing to make the effort to master online tools.
Dr. Crews,
I have been teaching mathematics online for over 7 years with students in each class ranging from those having “minimal’ arithmetic to AP Calculus. Similarly, the students’ knowledge of computer technology varies widely from barely finding the keyboard and modem to manipulating Excel graphs inside of Word documents and “submitting’ them! This makes it tough to properly set the level of technology to use!
In our university we use IM, email, discussion boards, synchronous “classes†with Power Point slides and whiteboard overlay, microphone (for audio), .pdf assignment files, Word response files, …., etc. Many of the students are overwhelmed by all this which leads to one of my major points.
It is important to accurately assess the demographics of the students in the class. Most of my students have been adults aged 35 – 55 who are long out of High School and never previously experienced a university/college setting. The mindset appears to be one of “what is the minimal work I can do to pass the course, and get a college degree and sound credible in a job interviewâ€. The concept of being in a “scholarly community†of 17-21 year olds furiously debating the concepts of John Locke or John Stuart Mill in a dormitory at 3:00 AM is very foreign to them.
This means they are not normally interested in interfacing many times during the week on a discussion board or in assignments. The sole focus is to post something (anything!) and get on with their full time job and family obligations!
With all that said as background, I would say three of the important things to consider in assessing the use of technology tools are:
1. Be sure to assess the students’ familiarity with computer technology in advance of the course and keep the technology being used as simple as possible. This is the KISS principle used in the military (Keep It Simple Stupid). Note that in academic circles the word “Stupid†is often replaced by “Sillyâ€!
2. Be “looseâ€. Don’t let the technology become more important than course work. I have seen numerous instances of universities embracing the “latest and greatest†technology for their Virtual Campus, and leaving the students “in the dust†in the actual course material!
3. Assure every student has easy access to a help desk and technical support 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. The support persons must be very knowledgeable in all the software releases and what the settings are in each and how they interact with each other ..e.g. in a typical Windows environment, the whole “sequence of communication†can be …. ISP, DSL modem, router, Norton Security, MalwareBytes, Windows firewall, Internet Explorer (cookies, cache, pop up blockers,.. etc).The students have to work around their full time job schedules, and if 2:00AM in the morning is the only time on the system, the Help Desk must be available and must be good!
Just my thoughts …!!....
Anthony Ganz
