When assessing the use of technology communication tools in a virtual learning environment, one of the most important things to consider is how much and what type(s) of experiential equity a student has. Some students may communicate effectively through one medium, such as email, while other students work better through multiple mediums.

While I believe that technology tools lend themselves well to building relationships in the online environment, what if you are restricted to the schools learning/classroom platform. I teach at an online school where communications are restricted to inside of the classroom for reporting purposes(blackboard). Is anyone familiar with any technology tools that enhance communications on blackboard outside of email and holding chat sessions?

While we focus on the content of the message, we also need to consider the visual impact. If you are able to choose your typeface, make sure that it conveys a professional image (e.g. Times New Roman, Georgia, Cambria, or Ariel). Using a font that is childish (e.g. Comic Sans, Kristen ITC, Freestyle Script) suggests that you are more playful than serious and that you are not particularly professional. A heavy font (e.g. Impact) will make you look pushy. This might sound silly, but there's a ton of research on the impact that typeface has on the reader's perception of the sender and of the message. Since an online class lacks face-to-face interaction, your students have nothing to go on but the words you write and what those words look like.

is important for any documents, presentation or interaction.

helping students to effectively communicate on line is very important for proper interaction with fellow students as well as with the instructors. This is the ongoing learning process which is a requirement in todays life.

is a very important part of civility as well as managing of overall communication

For 21st centuary, technology tools have become very important not only for learning but also for communication. Today in any field like emergency manager or planner or responders job, technology tools have become a vital part of the life cycle.

What Principles of Learning do you believe are most important for your online teaching?

What pitfalls do you see your online students falling into and how do you help them "get out of the pit"?

What technical skills do you see as important for your online students?

In your online course, how do you decide whether to use asynchronous or synchronous communication tools?

How do you help students improve their reading, writing, and communication skills?

In your online course, how do you help students become good online citizens?

Why is it important to ask online students to complete a self-analysis inventory?

As an online instructor, why is it important to complete a self-analysis inventory?

For an academic honesty policy to be implemented, it should examples of violation and the consequences for such violations.

Rubrics are good tools to help inform the students what to expect from the topic to be discussed.

I for one can tell you that I fall somewhere in-between the YOUNGER and the OLDER generations. But still being behind on the times has made it far more difficult to succeed and fit in with the “younger” students. It takes a lot of questions and prying to get answers to questions about technology that may come easier to the younger kids, although now more than say ten years ago, it is far easier to navigate through a web site do to the boom of technology just in the past ten years.

Communication is important, especially for anyone in a non-traditional environment. Boundaries and guidelines need to be enforced so that each person enrolled has a direct line of open communication without the fear of being penalized or scrutinized from the instructor or from other participations.

Today more than ever it is so important to keep up with current trends especially geared towards technology. It is changing so quickly, it seems once you get the hang of it, it is obsolete and there is something new to learn. What are some good web-sites to keep up to date on all the changes that are happening with education and technology?