Basic computer skills with an understanding of presentation programs is the minimum requirement for an on-line course designer. Understanding the target audience is a more important consideration.
A course developer doesn't have to be a wizard, but needs to be very, very computer literate. There are available tools that make course creation much easier, but no one tool does everything you want. There are many ways to work around the lack of some of these tools, but most work arounds require significantly more time on the developer's part. A developer can get by with subject matter expertise, PowerPoint and lots of friends to answer questions, but....... I am an instructional designer and developer and I use seven main software products plus several more occasional use items, plus Blackboard as a course delivery LMS.
I agree that they do not have to be technological wizards. I think the development of a course requires vision and the ability to think and conceptualize the course working toward development. There are "plenty capable" technology wizards out there to use to help design the architecture.
On the flip side of that, I think if you are technologically savvy, you can develop a course faster and mroe efficiently than working with someone else.
Take care,
Mike Vigh
What has been missing on online courses that you have been in?
What type of programs do you like to work with?
I agree to a certain extent. If you are going to develop an online course and you have an online engine that will guide you through the set-up that would be a help in the techincal end.
I don't think so currently. There are a lot of programs that make it easier to construct or develop an on line course.
I have been teaching online for a bit and think that my role is to be the developer, instructor and subjectmatter expert. The technology wizard has always been someone else. So my answer to the question is no, you do not have to be a technology wizard to develop online courses.
a project manager to pull it all together!
Course development should occur by a group of individual. Each person would contribute their professional expertise. There should be a subject matter expert, there should be a technology expert to work with the LMS, there should be a pedagogical designer. In conjunction, course design can then have the best of each area of expertise that the team members bring.
TEAM!!!
I believe that Online course developers must have an understanding of limitations and abilities of online learning, which does not equate to Technological wizardry.
This is a really difficult question. I assume you mean the people who develop the syllabus, assignments or instructor's guide as developers of online courses. If that's correct, they do not need to be technological wizards instead they should have a deep knowledge of content. They must be really good instructional designers.
If you mean the people who develop the virtual campuses and online classrooms, they have to be technological wizards. They need to have a deep understanding of programming and they should see the outcome from the point view of the person who is not a technological wizard. The online classrooms must be user-friendly environments.
This is a tough question...I do not think you have to be a tech wizard but you do have to know how to find and integrate multimedia materials into your class. This can be challenging...plus knowing how they will appear to your students is important. There should be a "class" for how to incorporate different types of materials into your course for faculty members at any online university.
Online courses are not pure technology but creativity. It takes a lot of critical thinking and artistic work in order to develop an online course. Basic knowledge of technical aspects will be helpful, however the quality and content of the course will determine effectiveness of teaching.
Ron,
Good point, there definitely is a required baseline.
Thanks,
Jon
I agree that developers of online course content do not need to be technological wizards, but I also agree with many of the above comments that it is important to have some level of understanding in order to know what the potential is for various learning activities, etc.
At the same time, while it may be someone else's job to deal with the technical side of the the course - i.e. uploading the content to the server, etc., I find myself so fascinated by the technical aspects that I really want to learn how to and be able to do those things for myself.
I recently launched an online student magazine at the college I teach at. Although I did not need to, I ended up learning how to administer not just the front end, but also the back end of the content management system. I couldn't help myself. It was probably a combination of curiosity and the desire to maintain as much control over the project as possible.
Competence in the skill set related to the course content is a critical requirement for teaching of any subject. Without it forward looking student questions may not be able to be answered.
Timothy,
I like your point, but the trick is what "content" is. Is it an outline, or text (easy) or is it an podcast/video/simulations (much more time consuming).
Jon
Patrick,
Great summary of the dilemma - it depends on what the expected product is, and what tools/templates/support you have.
Thanks,
Jon
Laura,
Great point - thank you for sharing!
Jon
