Technology for the Technically Challenged
Everyday I run into problems with students who struggle with all of the technology used in resident and online education. Instructors not only teach course material but must instruct on how to use the tools. This can be difficult and take a lot of time. More institutions must start providing tools to help students outside of class time.
Kelly,
Great post and you are right. If they take a small amount of time to learn the technology it makes all courses easier but that is not how many students view that! Could it be the same issue with not reading directions before you start putting something together?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Our institution offers an online orientation that is mandatory before taking an online course, but if this is their first online class, it's still a big challenge for them. I always reach out to their online advisor- to ask them to help the student manage the tools of the class. You're so right...it is very time consuming to go over all the "how to's" when you really just want to get to the content!
Thanks,
Kelly Schwartz
Agnes,
I agree with you. People think students are computer savvy but they are very shallow in their knowledge. In fact, students don't know what they don't know. We have to make sure they have basic info regarding technology and can use it. There are no choices on whether to use technology or not in an online course.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I am quite amazed how many students do not know how to access their grades on the portal, not to mention how to submit to a forum.
One would think it should be fairly straightforward, but it is not the case. I do think students should have basic computer literacy skills before enrolling into an online class. This could (if it already is not) be a component of college success courses.
Sandra,
Are you allowed to communicate these concerns to your institution? I find that IT people don't always think about the learning cycle and there are usually compromises that can be achieved. Technology can't be the barrier.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Hello, Kelia -
You make a great point. Many of my students become discouraged not because they do not know the course material but because they are challenged by the technology the school uses, this includes rolling updates to the LMS.
Students just begin to become comfortable with one version and a new one gets rolled out.
I agree that students taking online courses should first be required to take a prep class on the use of school's software and pass it. That way the learning does not get compromised by the technology.
Sandra Silvestro
Linda,
to be honest, I agree with you. I find it appalling institutions will allow students enroll in online courses when they don't have a computer or Internet. This sets a student up for failure or at least barriers. Students should have to take an orientation and sign a statement they have the technology skills needed to be successful.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
This is a very big concern in the online environment. I think students should take and pass an orientation type class prior to enrolling in an online class that can assess their usage of the technology. This should be a class in of itself where someone is facilitating the instruction and basic use of technology that will be required to take a class successfully. If an instructor if taking the time to teach these skills it will most certainly take away quality time towards the learning of the course objectives.
Kimberly,
Great points. I have a tutorial that I created in my LMS that I make all students go through and I can track who does it. That way I can assign accountability.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Hi Kelia,
I agree with your statement. It can become a struggle trying to teach the material and perform other required instructor task(s) while also trying to assist a student with basic technology skills. My students are require to type, save, and submit their essay assignments on a Word document and some don't have a clue as to how to do this. There are some students that don't how to manuever through the LMS system either. Supposedly, the students are given a tutorial from their online advisor when they enroll on basic computer functions and how to navigate through the Blackboard system but when I ask some of them if they received this training, he or she replies "no". An instructor does not have time to do.
kelia,
True, you make such a good point. I actually talk online at a public university that offered no help desk after 5 and nothing on the weekend. If we are to provide anywhere, anytime, learning we as the institution have to commit completely.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
