Tearee,
It can be much more advanced, but it does also depend on the requirements and what type of materials you start from.
Jon
I disagree. Although there are similiarities, an online course takes more time to develop than a traditional classroom for several reasons. For one, the structure of an online class requires appropriate discussion boards broken down into weekly assignments and topics. Also the use of different technology tools that need to be properly incorporated into the online classroom require more time and research. Not to mention the additional typing and editing needed before placing the course live online.
Disagree.
With an online course one is plannnig to deliver content to students beyond the reach of our voices and outside of our spheres of influence. We need to anticipate the effects of our efforts without immediate feedback. And uploading all that material is a lot more involved that a trip to the copy machine. Additionally, it all needs to be in place at the beginning of the course.
I disagree. As someone who has taught both on-ground and online, a vast amount of time is invested to develop both. Keeping the curriculum relevant, real-world applicable, and fresh (new) is imperative. The course goals/objectives must also be the focus. The course content must be covered to support the achievement of those goals/objectives. I have also developed/written curriculum for both and find the biggest challenge to developing curriculum for online is consistency, because a variety of instructors (in differing sections) all use the same curriculum. With that comes a vast array of perceptions, interpretations, experiences, etc.
Nick,
Great point on resources - good ones really can make the difference for students.
Thanks!
Jon
Jon,
I agree, if I do the work once or twice I can use the same resources. I spend a far amount of time looking up new articles to use in the course so we can discuss current topics.
Thank,
Nick
Jon,
I think I spend more time in an online course because I am looking for additional resources in multiple learning aspects to help students. I have to engage students senses. I try to use multiple resources and different forums of interaction so I am able to reach learners. I spend a lot of time in working on my online courses, but it benefits me as well if I give students a lot of resources.
Thanks,
Nick
Brian - good point! - Jon
I disagree with this statement. An online instructor has to put much more energy and time into the course's design- how it looks- and often spends more time fining and implementing valuable leaarning activities because there are 'fewer' option than on the ground instructors.
Jon,
Disagree. In an online course, the developer has to consider that the material will be the main source of information whereas in an on ground atmosphere, it would be the instructor.
Mary
Michelle,
Good points - thanks for sharing!
Jon
I have to disagree with that statement. I have only taught one 100% online class and it was way more work that I ever expected. Now I am teaching courses that are hybrid (typically 3 hours in class and 1 hour of online work per week), which I feel will make preparing for 100% online classes a bit easier, but in no way will it be less prep time than an on-campus class. I think the reason for this is because I want to answer all possible questions that may have been asked in an on-campus class. I feel that my lectures become so detailed in an online class because I want to answer the “might have been asked” questions. It’s easy to clarify something to students in person – I find it very difficult to clarify questions or issues with students online. Plus, typing a lecture for students to read is a lot different than speaking directly to the students. Fortunately we have software available that we can record lectures (audio or webcam) and let students see them at any time throughout the course. This seems to have made the copious lectures decrease in length.
Disagree:
I believe that it would take additional time to create the online course due to setting up the course as you would in the classroom and also taking additional time to then transfer the material online. The process would also include taking the classroom exams, quizes, projects etc. and tranfering that same material online.
Bill,
Yes, it can take quite a bit longer - especially if there are high expectations for the complexity of the course.
Best,
Jon
Will,
It is definitely a different venue - it takes different skills and actions to prepare and teach.
Best,
Jon
Great points - thanks for sharing! - Jon
The time needed to develop an online course is much greater than the time needed to develop a traditional course. This is because it is delivered through the use of electronic technology, which must accommodate both synchronous and asynchronous communication. The computer hardware and software must be designed to allow for a large number of concurrent users. The use of a discussion board is a good example. In a traditional course, the instructor and students are in the same place at the same time and technology is not needed for a discussion to take place. In an online course, asynchronous discussions must allow time for detailed posting and responses. Synchronous discussions must allow for many brief postings and rapid responses in a simulated live conversation, some of which may actually involve live teleconferencing. Course materials are more static and so must be more thoroughly reviewed before being used for a course.
Bill Lembke 03/12/10
I do not agree. In a traditional classroom the instructor can read body language or do some grouping based on ability and level of engagement. Because those nonverbal elements are not there in an online classroom, the instructor has to plan for all contingencies before hand.
In a traditional classroom, an instructor can talk to the class as they write or tell stories to illustrate a point. In an online forum there has to be an effort made to bring visuals that are preplanned that coincide with the lecture material.
Planning for an online course is much more time intensive than its traditional counter.
I disagree. I think more thought and time will be needed. In a classroom I can read body language to see understanding or confusion. I can then readjust the structure and content per class. Online you have to think more about all the possible out comes before class starts. More planning would be needed.
