There are certain things that cannot be translated from the F2F class into an online environment. Therefore,these need to be identified and alternative need to be developed. Nothing in this world fits every situation or provides for equal solutions. The same is true in the F2F and online environments. There are things that each do exceedingly well and there is overlap between the two. However, accommodations have to be made for the environment being utilized.
Also, there is a loss of body language, other visual cues, inflection, tone, etc. in online communication. Therefore the student is blind to nearly 80% of communication, as is the instructor. This means there must be adjustments in the content delivery method as well as the communications.
You cannot use F-F online because of the absence of the body language factor, one, and two, because the student must self teach when no teacher or peers is present.
Cordially, Virginia
Course content for me always includes discussion around assigned readings. Prior attempts at building an online course which incorporates this teaching strategy have left me wondering how to do this effectively. For example, what is an engaging experience based on open ended questions in the classroom seems like it might be a chore online. Imagin a course with a main content discussion board and then 2 - 3 other discussion boards! Ugh!
Here's another factor to considere. If I use socratic questioning as my main way of engaging students in course content, I am forced to look for a combination of publisher based and original material to engage students wherease my traditional class would depend upon students reading / viewing material outside of class.
I'ts all very complex and commpelling to me!
Dr. Kevin,
Why do you think students needs are different online than f2f?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Traditional face-to-face courses are different than online courses in many aspects. Therefore, the content might not be suitable for online environments due to differences in delivery and classroom mechanics. Online students and their needs are different from traditional classroom students. With this in mind, content created for face-to-face environments might not be effective at achieving learning outcomes.
Kevin
Taryn,
You make a great point. Yes, online course design needs what I call smaller chunks of material. Great post.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
F2F coursework would need to be altered to provide hyperlinks and bookmarks to make online reading more user-friendly to today's reader who requires shorter messages and more visual stimulation.
Coursework design, organization, and layout have to be interesting and multidimensional in order to keep students engaged in the absence of tangible, paper-based coursework.
Bernadette,
I agree, you have to have repetition. Quality Matters suggests that information can be found in three different places or paths.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
robert,
You are right. As online instructors we have to develop our online persona.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I think the online content has to be more detailed and user friendly if you are incorporating technology with it.
There is a big difference between on-ground and online teaching. The way we interact and communicate with students differs largely. In the online environment we are not able to pick up on any non-verbal cues that would for example indicate confusion. The tools we have to resort to are different communication channels to reach all learners and ensure they understand the material.
Annabel,
I think we have to be careful to label f2f courses as teacher centered; many times they are not. I do agree that there has to be more interaction.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Michael,
I am in agreement with you! I think content won't change; how we do things does. Great post!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Jaclyn,
I bet they do. Do you let the students lead the discussion?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Christine,
I think we have to be careful to assume that just because we teach f2f, that students hear everything we say! I find it interesting how few of my f2f students take notes!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Tiffany,
Yes, and combine that with good communication you have a student centered course! Great post
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Sandy ,
I so agree with you! Online is a great venue for project based learning. There are several institutions that are doing virtual labs.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Karen,
Great post I agree; how do you ensure that students are seeing your "road signs" of learning in an online course? That is important.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Darlene,
I agree with you. Just in a f2f course, no online courses are alike! There is a difference in delivery not content.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Elizabeth,
Do you have many students call? I think you say the important and that is delivery. It is a different delivery. It may be a different thought process but it is still the same content or should be!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
