Kevin,
It can be frustrating when you are developing and your computer tells you that you need more of something, but you have to search exactly what that is!
Shelly Crider
Hi Anthony,
Thanks for sharing your experience! It gives us all a better picture of the online course deveopment process.
It certainly helps if they are. It can be frustrating for someone that encounters a technological obstacle as they are developing course content. Those that do not have this limitation can focus more on the overall content.
Joel,
Thank you for adding "learning objectives". Not every class is equal!! Learning objectives are very different and need to be addressed per class.
Shelly Crider
It depends on who is designing the course and also what type of course is being designed. For computer courses or technical courses, yes the developer and the facilitator should be as knowledgeable and experienced as possible. For general or non-technical based courses - while they may not need to be technology wizards it is beneficial to at least have some background experience with the topics or learning platform. I have found that (in the e-learning environment) online instructors have been able to partner with the curriculum design team and produce a very learner-centered product because they do have the hands on experience with the subject therefore making them SMEs. The technology part can be taught/learned. That combined with the knowledge from the learner and facilitator’s perspective is what makes the design process and delivery more successful.
They don't have to be technological wizards but it helps. However, developers of online course should know good instructional design principles and approriate content that can be used to teach specific learning objectives.
Excellent points, Trista! I think a collaboration between those that are technologically savvy along with subject matter experts and those that are experts in curriculum development for learners of all types must work together in order for the online classroom to meet the needs of our wide variety of learners.
Nashid,
We as instructors need to be learning the online format too so that we can create better and better classes.
Shelly Crider
There is certainly a level of savvy that an instructor must have. Basic familiarity will help - but as the world innovates -- the leaders and developers must be able to keep pace with student expectation. There was a time when embedding video clips or Your Tube links in a power point was not common. Things have changed.
Trista,
As a faculty/developer, you can develop to your own personality. Personality does shine through!
Shelly Crider
Trista,
I am in favor of collaboration as well. Even if it is between instructors that teach the same subject matter.
Shelly Crider
I agree ~ course developers may be more faculty than technological wizard, but that fact does not relieve the course developer/facilitator of technological insight and understanding. At the pace of technological change these days, we ~ as online faculty ~ must do our best to be at least cognizant of (if not fully integrated with) those technological tools that would enhance our classroom and thus our students' shared experience toward a successful learning outcome.
Whether I agree or disagree with the statement, "Developers of online courses do not have to be technological wizards" depends entirely upon how you define "developers".
If your definition of "developers" refers simply to the one or more people involved in ISD in terms of the course's required components ~ syllabus, course objectives, etc., then I would agree ~ one need not be a technological wizard for this process.
If your definition of "developers" refers to the one or more people involved in actually designing the content, layout, and formatting of the online course using available technology, then yes ~ technological wizardry may be required.
In short, I believe the course expert(s) and the tech expert(s) ~ if not already one in the same ~ should collaborate on the development of online classrooms.
I agree, as students who may not be either will be taking the class. The instructor has to think through the four steps in designing a class and follow the navigation rules of the school's program.
John,
Making notes each quarter is what I do best. There are times when I try something new. Sometimes it works, sometimes I strike out. I make note to why it worked or why it didn't.
Shelly Crider
John,
Then you would have to teach your students on being a technical wizard!!
Shelly Crider
That is true. I find that there are things I learn as I go along that would have been helpful in an earlier course.
I agree. If I was a technical wizard, I would probably be teaching a different subject. I believe that I need to keep up with technology typical to my field so I can help my students be prepared for what they may face in a work environment. I need to understand what it takes for the students to complete the course. I need to be able to assist them with basic troubleshooting of things that might go wrong as they complete my course.
I think that the developer must be able to understand and apply whatever technology is necessary to complete the course design process. But that does not mean they have to be technological wizards.
They must be able to grasp and apply whatever skills the students need and master the techniques to communicate to the student what is necessary to successfully pass the course.
But most courses can be developed if the designer has basic computer skills and understands the learning system that they are using.
They do need to have well developed written communication skills so the syllabus and other course materials are clear and succinct.
I agree. Modern classroom course instructors utilize many forms of basic technology (PowerPoint, Black Board etc..) in their classrooms already. The process of transferring these presentations and their formats to an online course would require little to no new technological know how.
