Typically a teams is involved in development.. The technology experts are the people who assemble the materals to create functionality and the designers come up with the content and layout.
I do agree that they do not need to be technological wizards so long as they are teamed with a skilled instructional designer.
I am not a "technological wizard" and I know that I can design an effective, successful online course with structural integrity and instructional integrity. Due to experience in seeing what works and having taken courses online I know what works. I don't have to know how to create an animation. I simply have to know where to get one that is appropriate for the course content.
Collaboration and team work can help with the process. The most important criteria is to know where to go to get what you need!
Jeanean,
I do hope that all instructors know and feel good about the platform they are teaching on.
Shelly Crider
Julie,
It does lead instructors to want to know more and more! So when you see something new....research it!
Shelly Crider
Developers of online courses do not have to be technological wizards. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your answer.
I don’t think that developers of online courses have to be technological wizards but it certainly helps to have more than basic technological skills. What helps me is constantly learning and developing my skills. I research new tools and try to incorporate them into my classrooms.
Shelly,
I agree that course developers don't have to be tech gurus but they should have a rudimentary knowledge of the technological platforms where their courses will reside. Having this knowledge will help them best incorporate the requirements for using this platform into their curriculum developments.
Jeanean
Something that is important is the ability to share best practices among instructor who teach the same online courses to assess and determine which practices are effective and which ones might need improvement.
Many online instructors do not get a chance to meet each other physically so online collaboration among other teachers and colleagues is essential to sharing and comparing best practices when teaching a specific online course.
It is equally important to read students' feedback after an online course is completed because that is a rich source of information to help improve the content and delivery of an online course.
Developers of online courses do not have to be technological wizards, but they do need to be aware about different technology options to enhance the value added of an online course.
For example, if an online course developer wanted to include more video applications, there are dozens of different methods used to deliver videos to online students. It does not mean a person has to be a subject matter expert in every aspect of instructional technology and design. Instead, it is important to be aware of options from which to choose and to learn about those options that are going to be most useful to a particular online course's analysis, design, development and implementation.
I agree with the following statement: Developers of online courses do not have to be technological wizards. I agree in the context of developers being developers of course content and not course layout. I develop online course content (syllabus, modules, lectures, videos...) and I am not a technological wizard. However, I do think you would have to be a technological wizard to actually design the layout of the course. I think these are two very different concepts.
I believe while it may not be necessary to be a technological wizard to develop the online course, being comfortable with the technology and understanding how and when it is most appropriately used to assist the various types of learners is vital.
However to make the course and site seamless for the student "technological wizards" or those skills are necessary to develop mouseovers, a seamless flow from something like a powerpoint presentation to a video and back again. They can easily assist in the development and refinement of many of the online activities to make it a more intersting and enjoyable learning experience.
You might be very good in developing content and setting up the story board of what you want and how it is to be presented but if you have no idea about website design, coding etc. the student's online experience will be a disaster as will the learning outcomes.
Collaboration is the key even if one considers themselves a "technological wizard" help from professionals can always make the learning out come and the online experience for the student better.
I would agree that they do not have to be wizards, but they definitely need to know their way around a computer. They should be familiar with things such as navigation, embedding, streaming video, compressing video, using tabs, etc. There is so much more to this list, but if one comes in completely ignorant of these things, I don't see how they could possibly be successful. If one is a wizard, all the better.
Fialishia,
Technology is here to stay and the more understanding the better the class!
Shelly Crider
Hi Romanda, what tools do you use for online course development? There are so many out there these days, but the main tools I've used include Lectora, Camstasia, Articulate, Skype, etc.. What about you?
Fialishia O.
Kristina, yes - the level of expertise that should be required really should depend on the teaching position and the technology being used at the institution. I do believe that course developers should at least understand ISD, as well as be at an intermediate level when it comes to using online technology & course development software.
Fialishia
QUESTION: Developers of online courses do not have to be technological wizards. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your answer.
ANSWER: In my opinion, online course developers do need to be somewhat technology-savvy in order to fully take advantage of the course development software & other tools available. On the other hand, technology is becoming easier and easier to use, which means more novice users can also develop courses. I think the most important thing course developers need is an understanding on Instructional Systems Design principles first. Secondly, they need to be aware of technology and be able to use it at a intermediate level so that they can hit the ground running when converting their onsite courses to an online environment.
Fialishia O.
Ali,
Ahhhhh nice point on speed of instructions. What comes easy for some, could be difficult for others. So let's give detailed instructions.
Shelly Crider
Eric ,
I love this statement!! Yes I does indeed help to be a good story teller!
Shelly Crider
I agree. The more simple the online environment is the easier it is for the student to navigate.
I agree that developers of online courses do not have to be technological wizards. In fact it is helpful if you are not. I think what makes me a good instructor for Information Technology Systems is that I am not a wizard in those areas. It helps me to ensure that I don't move to fast with instructions. Where as if someone is a wizard, they often move too fast and their presentations might be to advanced and the student can't keep up.
