Susanna,
I agree, a team environment is definitely the most productive.
Best,
Jon
Nathan,
Good points on the availability of tools in the LMS or development environment.
Thanks!
Jon
James,
Yes, having a team really helps.
Jon
David,
I agree - there is a certain baseline that really helps.
Best,
Jon
The best course development will happen if the developer is savvy with technology and or they have a resource available to them to ensure they have the ability to add in tools, resources and interactive elements as needed. The online platform requires a range of creative learning tools to ensure the student is engaged. Without those tools the class will be dry and possibly disconnected.
Yes, I do agree. You need a certain degree of expertise in technology, because the entire online or so called e-learning environment is driven by technolgy. Unlike old days where the distance education which is actually similar to today's e-learning is dependent on the technological expertise.
The e-learning tools must be user friendly for the learners to be able to draw their interest to use e-learning platform. User friendliness is the number one complaint of online or e-learning environment. E-learning curriculum must be designed as user freindly to attract more and more potential e-learners.
I believe that it takes a team of individuals with varied skills and experience to be successful in a project like this. The techy is an important piece of the puzzle, but the designer who comes up with the visual presentation is just as important as the person who lines up the elements of the platform.
From personal experience as an instructor, it is also important for the techy to have feedback from the instructors and the students as to the efficacy of the platform.
I believe that it helps to make (or be involved in making) your own content.
I find it helpful that I know MathML (similar to html but allowing for mathematical markup), as well as a little Python for making interactive content.
I agree that developers of online courses do not have to be technological wizards. This is due to all of the advances in software contained within learning management systems. Learning management systems are becoming more and more intitutive. If you can use the microsoft office suite, you can design and develop an online course. You may require the assistance of a graphic artist along the way, but you no longer have to be a technological wizard to develop on-line courses.
I think it depends on how your schools online courses are set up. I would assume most are like ours and is very simple to set up once you an understanding of how to create assignments. I am not a tech wizard by any means and have been able to set up online course shells. There may be new applications to learn that as an on-campus instructor you did not need, but those options should help you and not make it more difficult.
True for designers, though not for developers. An instructional designer may not need depth of technical knowledge, but those who develop the materials will need such depth and capability, even if some work is contracted to specialists.
It all depends on two factors.
(1)The strength of the portal (platform) you are working on.
(2) What do you consider wizardry?
A good portal (sometimes called platform) makes a world of difference. Blackboard, for example has some limitations and detractors but it is very user friendly.
What level does of technical knowledge does it take? For example, I feel I am a good online developer and instructor... but I do not know HTML and have no intention of learning anytime soon. Instructors and developers need to get a level of comfort with applications but do not, in my opinion, know the "inside workings of a computer" nor do they need to HTML.
I do not think developers have to be tech wizards, but it does help if they understand some basics of web development and delivery such as scanning, advantages of various standard page layouts, color selection, navigational aids, etc.
I've seen too many online courses have content loaded into a course without any consideration for these concepts, and it truly is a less than engaging experience. The advantage of the web is that it's -the web-... simply turning a written lecture into an HTML version of the same written lecture does not make a good online course.
I agree with this. Most computers and website are pretty user friendly and all most anybody can navigate them. I am not that technolically savy, but I haven't had much trouble in my experiences developiong online courses.
I agree. Reliance on technical wizards is no way to design your courses. It has to be a team effort and the more skills you can develop with more people working together the better your results will be. Especially at a small college like mine. Wizards tend to hold on to information as power and not share and to build their own kingdoms and cast spells on those that they do not like. Leave that for the fairy tales and use everyones' collective brain power and talents to build something you are all invested in and that lets everyone share in the experience and learn together.
I would agree, but they must be able to take their own course and work through any problems there might be with access, navigation, and if modules or components have technical problems they should be able to do at least some basic troubleshooting to resolve them quickly. Although they may not be a technical wizard, they must be able to have the vision to see the best way to reach their students and make use of the wizardry of others when appropriate to improve their teaching and expand beyond their limitations.
I agree, being a good problem solver helps! Being able to dedicate time to discover new technologies is key. As long as the course developer is open to learning, having decent computer skills is sufficient.
I agree that developers of online courses do not have to be technological wizards. However, they do have to have adequate computer skills or be willing to learn how to use necessary programs, such as Blackboard, Powerpoint, etc. Tech support should be available at any school that offers online courses. Therefore, any student technical questions can be forwarded to tech support. Tech support should also be able to help the online instructor with any questions about course development.
I actually believe that if an instructor is not a technical wizard, the course may be more user friendly in terms of technology. An instructor may develop the course with clearer instructions, etc.
I have developed several online courses without being a technological wizard. I have gone through plenty of training, etc. to help me learn more about technology and how to use it to develop courses.
Wizards NO, but they do need to have a higher level of technical knowledge and skill than a ground based instructor. Basic things like typing skills and knowledge of the various tools that are available are very important. Also knowledge of the Internet can be very helpful.
