The most important things to consider in my opinion are
1. has the tool improved learning
2. how will we know
3. what modifications might be made if the tool is not effective
This is the quality cycle applied to this situation.
There needs to be a leaning event that clearly can measure the value-added by the tool, and careful analysis needs to be made by the instructor to determine if changes need to be made in order to produce more effective learning.
When using technology in a virtual learning environment, I consider:
1. learning curve -- I consider this for myself and students. If I am not clear on the function of the tool, the outcome will be awkward. If students cannot access the tool (or the outcome), the tool is not effective. For instance, I have used videos in the past as supplemental material. I have learned that students on DoD computers cannot access YouTube or Pearson videos. That makes these tools ineffective for all students.
2. What is the outcome? I always ask myself why I am using that tool. I choose tools based on what one element I want students to consider when they are exposed to the tool. Teaching a writing concept of APA means students have to see what I am doing to a screen capture tool is the best choice here for the outcome I am anticipating.
3. Purpose -- I consider why I am using the tool. Is it to be flashy and techy or is it to enhance student learning. If I am just being flashy, I will save that for low risk announcements (motivation or weekly thought) where students do not risk not using the tool.
Each class I teach, I reevaluate why technology I will use and why I am using it in that class. I recycle announcements and tips/tricks but I always make sure they are relevant. Keeping a repository of tools is important because it makes it easier to access and use those tools in the classroom.
Erica
When using technology tools in a virtual learning environment, what do you believe are the three most important things to consider?
As instructors we are aware of our responsibilities how coaching is changing and we are certainly living in an age of technology overload with what is expected from the students as well as the instructor. When using technology tools in a virtual learning environment, I believe the three most important things to consider
1. Are we using the proper technology to actually engage the learner? How do we make sure that the students are learning the required skills to evaluate, analyze and produce the information needed and presented? Therefore, it becomes important that we are using the right media to capture and engage students. Is PowerPoint the option or online video? We must have some idea the type of learning style is more valuable for a particular class. Do we have more visual learners? We must conform to that the learning environment.
2. We must know our audience. Are we instructing the majority of the class that has over 20 years working experience or are we instructing a class with students grading directing from high school with no working experience? How do we properly use interactivity for the various styles of learners within our reach. Are our older generation comfortable with the social media as our younger generation. Again, we have to conform to our audience.
3. We must engage an environment where students feel supported and safe, where their needs and their distinctiveness are recognized and respected. We must also allow their intellectual freedom to flow and encourage creativity. Therefore we as educators must be prepared
for the technology changes and keep up with change with appropriate technologies. The goals are to increase student motivation, attitude and retention.
I was under the impression that students who are enrolled in an online learning environment must go through some type of training to learn how to navigate their way through the various uses of technology.
I would also think that it would be extremely time consuming for the online instructor to play the role of training the student in the use of technology as well as teaching the course.
You can correct me if I am wrong.
According to the readings, the three most important things to consider when using technology tools in a virtual learning environment are 1) it is crucial to be able to identify the importance of matching the appropriate tool function with the teaching technique, 2) it is crucial to examine how the specific function of a given technology tool is able to facilitate good instruction, and 3) it is crucial that the specific technology tool is used effectively.
It also helps when the instructors who teach an online course and the students in the online course are familiar with the use of various technology applications. Often times, both the instructor and the students are deficient in their understanding of how these various technology tools work.
I believe the three most important things to consider when using technology tools in a virtual learning environment are selecting the appropriate tool based on the individual student and situation, user friendliness of the tool and the dependability of the selected tool:
1. Selecting the appropriate tool based on the individual student and situation. This is important because you want to ensure the student’s privacy is intact during all communications. An example would be using a tool designed for group communication such as live chat and discussion areas to respond to a student regarding their performance or grade. Using group tools for this type of dialog violates the student privacy and ultimately hurts the university.
2. User friendliness of the tool. This consideration is paramount to the effective use by students as well as faculty. Sometime as faculty we may have to use different tools for different students because some students are not as tech savvy as others.
3. Dependability of the selected tool. Anytime a tool is not dependable this negatively affects the learning process. Thus as facilitators we need to be conscience of the dependability of available tools and establish a backup plan if the selected tool becomes unstable or unavailable during the course.
There are surely more than 3 critical elements to managing the right technologies. However, as a start:
1. Ensure students understand the tool. Let them know what they need to use (which may not be everything available) and get comfortable with that. Then they can explore and see what else it can do.
2. Remember the tone and tenor of what they write (not to mention spelling and grammar). They need to know this is a manner of communication that can be easily misunderstood. Therefore, the more clearly and comprehensively they can present their thoughts and information, the better.
3. Technology creates traceable patterns. Things like "the classroom was down" or plagarism or late assignments are all trackable. Do the work well, on time and on your own.
The three most important things about choosing a technology are; content being conveyed, complexity of the technology and end results. Over the years I have found that some technologies if to complex dilute the content because the student is more focused on the technology which in the end has the student feeling overwhelmed and none the wiser.
I decided to answer before reading the other posts to force myself to think through the question first. Thus, the three most important things for me are:
1. Will it help the student achieve the learning objectives?
2. Will it help me to help the student achieve the learning objectives?
3. Is it easy and reliable to use?
Christi,
Yes, you are right and the ability for the audience to use it.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Anita,
That's true. The ability to take advantage of virtual reality is nice. It is even better if you don't have to completely create it. It does take quite a bit of planning.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Technologies have allowed me to produce analog
or virtual representations in my classroom environment, including through communication with students that are self-directed learners. Although
some technologies provide a fairly immersible experience, recent advances in digital computing and associated hardware and software have introduced new technologies that enable individuals to create even more compelling through their virtual experiences.
Hello:
I believe the three most important things to consider are what needs to be communicated, who the audience is, and what's the best way to ensure that the information is communicated and understood by everyone.
Thomas,
Great comments. You are right about effectiveness. Is the tool the most effective at what "it" is suppose to do?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Michael,
I think you make great points. I have learned the hard way to always check for documentation. Also, you talk about compatibility. Have you heard of the term "platform agnostic"?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Vivian ,
I think you are spot on! You really need to consider the technology support. It may just be you!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Heather,
How does this work with the technology? How does the information taught become part of the tools?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Todd,
Good points, are you talking about e textbooks?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
The three most important factors are
1) The ability of the tool to enhance student/instructor interactions.
2) The ability of the tool to effectively deliver learning content to the student.
3) The ability of the tool to complete and submit assignments.
Gretchen,
Interesting point! It is the responsibility of the instructor monitor and keep cyber-bullying under control.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
