I do agree with the technology issues. Some students are very savvy and others have trouble.
As an instructor we need to make sure that we make our class easy to navagate as well as visually exciting. Have a tips and tricks folder with questions and answers on how to navigate. make it so they can print is out so they can have a hard copy.
Daniel,
We love our tech support!! Excellent post!
Shelly Crider
Rose,
There are so many tools out there for us to utilize as a developer and an instructor.
Shelly Crider
Todd,
I am reading collaboration in your post! I like it!!
Shelly Crider
The quick answer is yes but the long winded is no. You need an instructor to create the information; PPT, chats, discussion boards, Projects, mind maps, etc. You need a tech wizard or just technical support to learn how to insert into the eClass or online shell.
One the process is learned, you are on your way. At my school (on-ground) and online, I created at least 15 shells in the past year and a half. I am definitely not a tech wizard but tech support is on speed dial.
I believe developers of online courses must have the technology to support the type of experience they want to provide to their students. In other words, the technology owners or technology providers need to be the wizards, the developers do not. Developers can utilize tools to help with course development and these tools should be user friendly.
I guess the developers of the back-end do need to be technological wizards, but then those individuals need to work closely with the content experts who are not necessarily technological wizards. If the backbone of a course set is well developed, and typically been used over a period of time so that some of the kinks can be worked out, then the content experts can simply load/tweak the content and thus those individuals do not need to be technological experts. This take time though - for both the technological experts as well as the content experts - and some close cooperation, especially early on in the process.
Todd
Mona,
Students do pick up on our enthusiasm!! Keep up the great work!
Shelly Crider
I agree that they do not have to be technological wizards, although I feel this term may be misleading. What does "Technological wizard" mean. My mother who doesn't own a computer, thinks I'm a technological wizard. I'm so Not. Learning as you go is also an experience. Developing resources for your own understanding and trial and error are all learning experiences for the new online course developer. I feel such satisfaction when I learn a new computer skill. I hope my students will benefit from my enthusiasm.
Joshua,
I would have to agree. The more a student has to leave a class, the less they will want to come back to class.
Shelly Crider
Tara,
I hope that one day you get the opportunity to teach online.....seeing is believing!
Shelly Crider
Erin,
As a student, you certainly do not want to hear, "I am sorry I will have to contact the IT department and get back with you on that".
Shelly Crider
In my opinion many of us are not computer experts however, we have a basic understanding of the internet and our computers.
As long as we understand and abide by copyright laws and the like we can begin to incorporate different types of technology into our classrooms. The easiest would be to begin providing "live" links for students to click on and access different websites we want them to.
Further, incorporating things that do not require leaving the course such as videos can be made available to students.
I tend to disagree that they don't have to be technological wizards. I think that no they don't have to know the ins and outs of how to fix a computer but since recently taking technology for the classroom I am now aware of how much information you may need to be aware of. Instructors need to know how to operate their own forum and pages. I have had some that had no clue and they blame the system. Nothing will make a student more frustrated than if you can't answer simple questions regarding how to do an assignment you gave and you can't help. IT can only fix internal problems most of the time so class page editing or knowing the how things work is a must.
I am not sure, I use a portal on the online classes, but I have never tried teaching online. What is the differences?
Dawn ,
I love trail and error!!! This makes us human for the students.
Shelly Crider
I would agree that we, as instructors, do not need to be technology wizards. There are many multimedia options to add into the classroom that are easy to navigate and place into the classroom. When I began teaching online I did not even know how to attach a document to an E-mail, but I quickly learned many ways to incorporate multimedia components into the classroom and also learned to attach a document into an E-mail along the way. Many of the options to add into the classroom comes with some type of instruction or you can find it on the internet.
Trial and error also works.
Dawn Huber
Jeff,
I love the fact that there are so many tools out there.
Shelly Crider
Kyle,
I like a team creating the online course as there are sometimes when something looks great to us, but students are confused.
Shelly Crider
Craig,
Students will appreciate the technical help from the instructor!
Shelly Crider
