Shelly, I agree and while I am not a technological wizard, I have successfully created a number of online courses that I have developed using the practices described here.
When I needed assistance, I was able to contact the school for assistance or follow instructions provided to me.
Shelly and all,
I agree that developers of online courses do not have to be online wizards but technological expertise definitely helps people be more effective course developers. Teaching competence is the key component to an effective course designer and technological wizardry is a good tool for someone with teaching competence to have in their toolbox.
Occasionally people can allow the technology to take over the instruction and will allow technology to, in fact, get in the way of effective instruction. For example, in courses using Adobe Connect, some instructors will show a Powerpoint every single chat session. In my opinion, this is good for lecturing but is less technologically effective than a mixture of powerpoint, whiteboard use and screen sharing. Providing a mixed bag of technology combined with time tested teaching techniques like lecture, group work, and research is the best way to use technology in the online teaching environment.
Love the fact you touched on the social media component. That is a factor that is very dynamic in our society right now.
Ideally, developers should be pretty well versed in technology, but I don't know that it is a necessity. Many of the platforms we use for online instruction are developed to a very user-friendly point allow the course developer to focus on the content of the course, which as indicated in this program, should largely resemble the face-to-face content that we would use in the classroom.
That being said, I think having an advanced grasp of the technology has been useful for integrating aditional media and social media compenents that work to engange the students even more than the course materials themselves.
Jeremy
Technology has so many different avenues, what exactly would you like to see the expert and expert in?
What do you lik to see on the homepage? Instructor pic? Announcements?
Shelley -
I agree. I know a lot of instructors who have tried to develop online courses and it has turned out to be a disaster because it just looks like links posted aimlessly. This is not what eLearning should look like.
Most online courses are currently written into available shells. These shells make the uploading of content easy and effective. The technology of writing java script is then reduced.
There are many programs out there to get training in as well. I say.....get training!!
Yes you are correct. Do you use any of these useful tools?
It is much easier to develop an online course with some solid computer experience, however there are many tools availble to help buid an online course with ease.
We have to interact with them where they are, technology is becoming everpresent and active. We are competing if we don't make it interesting we will loose them.
On the other hand we have other students who have little experience or access to technology and we do not want to exclude them.
I agree because the content requires an expert in the course content and it is not possible for all of them to also be technological wizards. We all have to develop a good degree of technical knowledge and competency in order to realistically design a course.
It is frustrating to work and plan something and then find out it is not technically possible. We also need to understand possible problems for users of integrating certain items so that we do not frustrate students. If I include a piece of media will it be compatible and easy for students to access?
Developers do not have to be master programmers in my opinion. However, some basic knowledge of how the programs should work and the ability to trouble shoot the systems would be helpful. Developers should be able also to answer questions from the students about the program (given if this is a perfect world).
Since there are many steps to developing an online class, I feel certain steps would need to involve the tech and the end user must be involved so it will be a user friendly for some people who just want to click here and it works.
While an instructor needs to be familiar with basic computer technology and Micrsoft Office programs, I do not think that an instructor needs to be as technically competent as tech support. I have developed web pages utilizing HTML and also with programs that convert my content into HTML.
I agree. There is a process to developing online courses, but I think with time and patience, an instructor with minimal experience developing online courses can do so. It may be very time consuming, but I think it can be successfully completed, with all the necessary content included.
In my opinion, I do not think developers must be technological wizards however; they must be technologically savvy. I feel a deveoper should be familiar with all of he technological terms and concepts in addition to the subject matter. Personally, I do not feel I posssess the necessary skills right now however; I am confident that I can develop the skills with the necessary training.
I am also mixed on this one. I feel it is necessary to have a team approach. Included in that team would be a tech wizard that can make the ideas happen, and the instructor that will insure the information is appropriate for the course as intended.
