I think the three important things to consider when using technology tools in a virtual environment are:
1. Is it something that the students can easily learn to use in a short period of time?
- We usually have 5-6 weeks per session for most subjects in an online environment so the technology that we use must be something that is easy to learn.
2. Make sure it is provided to all the students or it is something that all students can have access to.
- I sometimes teach calculus and it is necessary for them to have a graphing software/calculator to use. TI calculators are not provided to them and purchasing one costs more than a hundred dollars and not everyone can afford it. With that said, I make sure that they can have access to free web-based graphing calculators.
3. Is it effective in helping students achieve their goal in the class?
-Ultimately, we use these technologies to accomplish our goals in learning the content of the course.
-Christine Ballesteros
I believe in just continuing to use the tool you've selected and introducing something new each time you use it. I find the more I use it, the more creative I get. The students really enjoy the interactive tools (e.g. sharing screens, polls, whiteboard, etc.). My suggestion is to just dive into it and practice with your peers first. It is really amazing what the LMS can provide.
I agree with your response especially #2. There must be a comfort with the instructor to use the tool so that it benefits the students. I find today the students are far more technologically advanced and I learn from them.
Using Blackboard Collaborate enables the students to present their group projects and have the interaction as if they were in the classroom. The students enjoy this portion of the assigment and every time I use it, I learn more teaching techniques.
I teach online, face to face, and hybrid courses at a local state college. I have found my classes, no matter the type of course being taught, have similarities when it comes to the tech components.
All of the above mentioned courses use tech components and once the students are shown what is available, they run with it. Therefore, educating the students as to what is available, the uses, and finally a hands on approach of instruction are instrumental in our students having a positive learning experience.
I think the three most important things to consider when using technology tools on an online environment are:
1. That the instructor is familiar with the primary purpose of the tool and uses it effectively in the classroom.
2. That the students are able to use the tool with out frustration setting in. This can be accomplished at the start of the course by asking the student if this is their first online course and whether or not they have used the tool(s) before.
3. If students are not familiar with the tool, make time to discuss it's features and answer any questions the students may have.
Elizabeth Dunham
Online Instructor
Missouri College Online
While there is so much out there, sometimes you just have to work with what you have. At one school, I got a license for Powerpoint presenter...so I used that. Another school had a license for Camtasia, so there I used that. Have Wimba, I'll use Wimba, Bb collaborate, that too. But with my team, I go for cheap and easy "God bless Jing!"
So availability, training (for both faculty and the students), and fit.
I believe the three most important things to consider are:
1) Ease of use. Many students are self-proclaimed "internet newbies", and the tools used should be fairly intuitive, to avoid unneccessary frustration.
2) Ability to be viewed/accessed by every student. If a tool is dependent on a particular browser or a particular computer program, this needs to be noted. Some students are using PCs, others are using Macs, and others are using iPads - the tool must be accessible to all of them, regardless of platform.
3) Relevance. Including a great video on something that isn't relevant to their learning is not helpful. The tools shared with students need to be useful and relevant to them in the course.
The main thing to consider is if the students have accessibility to the tools needed to use the programs. I teach online a lot. There are so many neat free programs. Voice threat comes to mind. But I can not be sure students have a microphone.
This makes designing online content most difficult.
I need to consider computer readiness. I have had students who take an on-line course, but they don't know the basics of computers. Or, if you can believe this, they don't have internet access at home. I think there is a "dream world" out there. Students are told how convenient online classes are. But they simply don't understand the logistics involved.
Another issue in using tech tools is the speed of internet access. I recently completed a MAEd program online from the University of Nebraska Kearney. I limped along with my "slower" high speed DSL network. All was fine until Blackboard upgraded to the new format. Then I found my internet speed just couldn't "cut it."
Students need to be completely aware of what is involved in online learning from the technology end. Pre-course tutorials that allow students to test if their computers are capable of running the necessary software is definitely needed.
I think three of the most important things to consider when using technology tools are:
1. the ease with which participants in the learning environment can use the tools.
2. the feasibility with which instructors and students may interact via technology.
3. the ability to introduce multiple types of information, such as .pdfs, videos, websites, etc., for the members of the class to review/explore.
Linda, I have experienced similiar challenges with online students and it is so important to ensure that students have the skills necessary to navigate the virutal campus and tech tools available.
Clear, expectations upon enrollment and verification through a student orientation program can make all the difference.
Offering online tutorials is also very effective in helping students learn some of the basics necessary to be successful.
It is so difficult to see students who are eager to learn, be turned off due to a lack of computer skills. I wonder how many potential graduates have been lost due to missing a few simple steps?
Jeffery, you make such a good point about the system being able to handle the tools you will be using. I remember in the early stages of setting up online classes, this was not always considered. It is a good idea to get the tech team in on some of the planning meetings to assist in getting the needed tools that can work in the system.
If this isn't done and training is not provided to instructors and students it can do more harm than good.
I think the three most important things in using technology tools are:
1. To ensure the tool is appropriate for the function needed.
2. Easy to use and should require minimal tutorials.
3. Use a variety of tools to meet the different learning styles and preferences of learners - such as audio/video and text options.
1 Understand the function of the tool.
2 Choose the right tool for the desired outcome.
3 Assess the effectiveness of technology tools.
For me the order goes something like this:
1. Ease of reading (the shorter it is the more likely students are to read- emails and announcements are critical)
2. Timing (I learn my students' schedules by monitoring average email and posting times. This helps me ID when is best to send out communication or post new documents)
3. Inviting language (Students tend to be intimidated by online (and brick-and-mortar) instructors. Using inviting friendly language helps draw students in*)
E.Barnett
*I use my first name in communication with students. It removes some unnecessary barriers. After all, most vocations don't require it...so why should I?
When using technology tools in a virtual learning environment, the three most important things to consider are the course content, the learning needs of the student; and the instructor's teaching style.
When using technology tools the three most important things to consider.
1) First and foremost will it benefit the student, and help them to learn the material.
2) As the instructor, am I comfortable using the tool, and can do so in a live setting.
3)Does it really enhance the learning experience? Are there other options that are easier to use, and would get point across.
Perry
The three most important things to consider are:
1. Does the technology tool meet the needs of the course? I teach mathematics and I have to have certain functions in order to work out problems, such as a whiteboard.
2. Are the students easily able to access the technology tool?
3. Does the technology increase the effectiveness of the course? Does it make it easier for the students to understand the material?
When using technology tools in a virtual environment, three items I feel are important are as follows:
(1) The student’s knowledge of the tool. If the student does not know how to use the tool (or know that the tool exists), what good it is.
(2) The instructor’s ability to instruct a novice student on the use of the tool. With a number of operating system platforms, an instructor must be aware that the tool used is NOT available or operators differently from platform to platform.
(3) Student’s ability to use the internet for help! I know this sound odd and way-out-there but think about it: a student asks a question and could wait hours for an answer from the instructor or another student. So many students could have found the answer by doing an easy Google and/or YouTube search. Students used these sites for entertainment but do not think to use them for learning.
The three most important things I feel should be considered when using technology tools in a virtual learning environment are 1) it is important that the instructor is well versed in the use of the technology tools that he or she must use (this is where I am somewhat deficient in), 2) the student needs to be well versed with the use of the technology tools he or she is expected to use (many times they don't know how to navigate their way through the technology), and, 3) it is not necessary that every tool in the virtual learning environment has to be used. (This was also discussed in the reading material, and I agree).
When using technology tools, I think the most important things to consider are how easy the tool is to use for both the instructor and the student. How well the tool supports the particular learning objective and finally, whether or not the tool is compatible with the computer system being used.
