Molly,
You make great points. Have you used tutorials that you walk them through and practice?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Cyndy,
You make a great point. When do they ask for help? I agree with you, sometimes the greatest barrier they have is their machine ( or lack of).
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Tanya,
I think you are right on track! A recorded tutorial does so much including helping them adjust to the virtual classroom.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Loriann,
If you can create a successful experience at the beginning guiding students using technology, you have a good start. This does build confidence.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Kimberly,
Yes, they are important skills. It is important to develop expectations for these skills.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Detra,
Yes, and sometimes it has to do with equipment on the student side as well as the skill!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Errol,
What a great point! I think the next area will be phone apps.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Darcy,
You are right, that is why most course designers will suggest that you have a start here button or folder to help start the process.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Cynthia,
True, the technology skills are dependent on the course taught.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Kathy ,
Do you use a START HERE button at the beginning? That can help guide students.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Kathy ,
True. There are also wonderful Youtube clips that can help with learning. They do help with workload.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Eric,
Yes, you are right, You can make it easier by helping them to understand why and how we use the technology.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Dr Crews/Faculty, everyone has listed a great set of technical skills for online, and F2F learners. I want to add that making sure one's computer has to correct software to interact successfully is key. For instance, chats require flash and other multimedia that allows for successful interaction with their browsers. I've see a lack of knowledge with browsers and firewalls limit student access to teleconferences and activity on certain websites.
Reginald
As a proactive measure, students are provided with information about different tools and support to help strengthen their knowledge and application of different technology tools. When engaging in the online classroom forum, students should be proficient utilizing the following technology tools:
- Create and Save Documents in MS Word
- Create and Save Documents in MS PowerPoint
- Uploading and Downloading Files
- Accessing and Using School’s Online Library
- Accessing and Posting information in the Discussion Forum
- Use different feature capabilities in Microsoft (e.g., spell and grammar checker, thesaurus, Reference tool)
- Research Topics and Concepts via Internet
- Utilize Similarity Verification Tools (to check for potential areas of concern)
Hi Dr. Crews,
Students needs technical skills like operating and navigating a computer. Basic skills like opening files, copying and pasting, renaming, creating folders, these are all important to have as students embark on the world of online learning. Students should also be familiar and comfortable with using and navigating the online classroom. I also believe that the school is responsible for giving new students a small course on learning the online classroom.
The biggest technical skills I see as important is knowing how to use a computer. Many students don't know how to copy and paste or cut and paste. They don't even know how to upload a Word document. These are things that are so important for students to know so that they can submit their assignments properly.
Some of the items are:
- Technical skills in managing their computers. Save files, upload documents, connect to the internet, and keep their computers virus free.
- Use word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software
- Write APA style paper.
- Use and navigate the online platform
Students having basic computer skills are important. I always do basic computers refresher for the students. I dedicate one lecture to APA format and power point presentation.
Hi, Dr. Kelly. I think students should have an orientation of sorts to make sure they now two things prior to beginning online classes:
1. A Learning Lab on Academic Honesty/Plagiarize
2. A Learning Lab on how to navigate the LMS
This would tremendously increase their success and thereby, their retention.
Tanya, I whole-heartily agree. I've been teaching online for 7 years, but I got a very poignant lesson the very first class I taught.
I had a student who in our last week of class asked me where to find the E-Book. I called him right away and asked him if he had located our Announcements Page, Email or Grade Book. He told me that had only accessed the grade book, but had never read my feedback...and no, he didn't know where the email or announcements were.
From that moment on, in my very first Live Chat, I take 15 minutes to navigate through our Virtual Classroom. I even go so far as to use the Polling tool and ask students to locate certain online tools and then come back into the classroom and poll YES if they located it.
I just want to make sure!
