You don't have to be a wizard, but it helps if you know how to tell a good story.
Technology makes delivering the message more interesting and stimulating (or rather, it can) but the content still has to be there.
Simple programs that are fairly intuitive such as powerpoint or keynote can help freshen your in class or online material, but it's important not to over do it. if the presentation is too flashy, students my remember the wrapping, rather than the content.
If the content itself is compelling, and it goes somewhere...that is, the end goal is clear and we use compelling examples, while the bells and whistles might change, there's still something to gain.
Carlos,
So you are saying that you need organization first and then add technical components........
Shelly Crider
This is a tough question :-), and I think it depends on the development cycle and structure of the institution. In some cases, the subject matter expert (SME) is responsible for navigating the learning platform for course development, whereas in other cases, the SME is only responsible for the content. I think its important to understand the technology and capability of the platform when developing the course. However, I do not think the SME should be a technical "wizard."
I agree in a way and disagree in another. The designing of a course is simple. Once you have a platform chosen, the setting up of the classroom is not that mind boggling. Now, choosing a design for an online environment is a challenge. You have to be a computer science major for this.
Herman,
It is very nice what technology has given us. I remember using DOS, then I loved Frontpage, now there are simply wizards!
Shelly Crider
While I think that it requires a certain level of comfort with technology in order to design an online course, course creation tools today decrease the barriers to entry to design a course. Additionally, in the design of a course there will be quite a bit of learning while doing.
Steve,
This is true as instructors are the frontline for any and all questions....even financial!
Shelly Crider
Loriann,
Good point. Different courses have different needs. My hope is that a course is being created by someone who knows content and technology!
Shelly Crider
Alan,
It is nice to have teamwork in a classroom as we do want our students to be able to do teamwork!
Shelly Crider
This is pretty much what I would say as well. YOu want people to be able to think about what is possible in a course, and if the developer doesn't even know that, then that person would not be able to come up with appropriate ideas for inclusion.
I am not sure a person has to be a wizard, but it helps to be fairly familiar with the system. I know it is possible to get help, to have experts show you how to do one thing or another, but the more the creator of a course knows about the computer, the more he or she can design a course effectively.
I agree that the involvement of the development of online courses must include some technological savvy just as an online instructor must be familiar and comfortable with technology in order to successfully facilitate the course online. To be a technological wizard, in my opinion, means that one must have advanced knowledge of creating the layout and design of the course, etc and the ability to transfer the course content into the course management system and depending on the role of the individual in the course development, one may or may not need to be a technological wizard.
Thanks,
Dianne
Now this question depends on what the online course system is. Most Universities use an existing program or create on of their own. Some understanding of how a compter works is needed to operate the programs yet most programs have tools that can be user friendly that will allow the instructor to develop and load their instructional items into the system. Each instructional program has differences in the operation yet are similar enough that instructors with some experience can usually figure them out. Also most Universities provide training and user guides to help new instructors develop their courses.
I believe that having technical wizards for development certainly works in favor of what you are trying to accomplish. As a media arts instructor I am constantly working with artwork, photos, animations, audio, video and graphics so having a background is vital. I think these elements are important in any online environment to hold the attention of the learner. The more technically savvy the developer is, the easier it becomes to troubleshoot issues and come to the aid of the learner when they experience technical difficulties.
I think developers would need to have a certain level of experience to have a position. This may also depend on the type of courses and the specifics as to the role of what exactly is being developing and for what type of course.
Somewhere you need some solid technological expertise, but not necessarily in the developer. Much of the formatting, and the learning platform itself is often preselected. This reduces the technological expertise needed by individual developers.
I prefer the approach where we have instructional designers who understand curriculum, a graphic artist, a person who can handle technology issues, perhaps a programmer. This team working together can really become efficient in developing great curriculum.
No they do not have to be technological wizards but they do need to have a good grasp on the virtual campus (VC), etextbook, assignment submission and discussion posting processes, how to access valuable information and sometimes even knowing how to walk students through their own computer issues. For most online instructor's we would not take on these type of positions if we did not already feel confidant in using computer technology. While each instructors level of comfort will be different it is a must that instructors keep learning how to interface with new technological advancements. And meet those challenges head on, so they too can encourage students to do the same. I recently started a twitter account for each of the courses I teach (I do not have, nor will I ever have a personal twitter account). The twitter account is specifically used to reach out to students and expand their research for the course. I post a website of the week and then each day of that week I post an article of interest from that website. As most online educator know making sure your students use peer reviewed websites is an up hill battle. So, I am taking it upon myself to help them learn how and what are good websites.
I agree. The most important part, in my opinion, is not the technological expertise which is likely always emerging. Rather, it is the technological awareness and strategic fit the instructor engages in their teaching strategies.
It depends on what environment the course is being created in and how well the software works that the environment is being created in. There are good software packages for course development. That does not mean you will necessarily be using the software working software.
Yes. A good example is when I was freelancing as a designer and had a PC. One evening my PC crashed and I spent too many hours trying to get it up and running. As I was doing this, it occurred to me that as a designer I should be able to focus on the design and not need to manipulate the registry. The next morning, I bought a MAC and completed my wortk in record time! Technology is meant o assist us not serve as an obstacle to our goal.
