Because there are somethings you just can't do on an online course. The content may cause for some interaction that can't be done in the online environment.
Paula,
So you can't teach a course that was delivered f2f in an online environment without adapting content? So do you have to rewrite the description and outcomes of the course? I understand that you have to adjust to delivery and environment but I am not allowed to change objectives of an existing course without going through the curriculum process.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Simone,
If you are teaching the same course, same objectives, same description then content will be the same; but delivery and environment may be different. If the courses is a 3 hour course, we have ensure that students are getting instruction that equals that no matter the delivery. This can be a challenge; just as a course that is reduced to an eight week delivery; content must remain equal if the course is the same.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
It may not be appropriate because students in an online environment are not as accessible as students in a classroom. It may be much easier to engage students in a classroom because you are right there with them whereas in an online environment the student and the instructor are not in the same physical location. Students are given direct supervision in a classroom vs students in an online environment. Therefore, course content has to be suitable for the online environment and easy to navigate, easy to understand and accessible because they do not have the instructor "right there" to answer questions or explain about the course content, assignments, etc., like they would if they were completing them in the classroom. The instructor can respond to questions but usually not immediately.
Course content created for a face to face course isn't appropriate for an on-line course because the two different styles have their own unique needs and challenges. While technology can certainly be used in both, the methods of delivery might be different. Chat rooms and discussion boards "take the place" of more traditional on-ground teaching methods. In an on-line course, the technology is primary, in terms of communication, feedback, and assessment. There is no face to face interaction in the literal sense of the word, so technology is used to create virtual face to face contact and interaction.
Philip,
I agree with you. If a course requires certain objectives to be met, they have to be met regardless of the delivery method. I am surprised when people think the course information is different or should be different based on delivery.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I have to admit this confused me Dr. Wilkinson. To me, the difference is the delivery of the information and I consider course content the information. By that I mean pharmaceutical calculations is the same whether you're teaching it F2F or on-line in terms of the information you have to teach. What differs is the delivery of that information to the student.
Sandra,
You make the great point, in that the content may be appropriate but the content may not fit the environment. Therefore, we must look at course design. I appreciate your emphasis on visually appealing as well as functional. You als mention accessibility which must be addressed. Course design is the key to conversion.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Hello, Dr. Wilkerson:
Course content that may be appropriate for face-to-face classes is not appropriate for an online course because online courses need to be organized in such a way that the online student can navigate though the course with a relative amount of ease on their own. So ‘transforming’ the content to make this possible is key.
Most online students are familiar with, and therefore comfortable with the traditional classroom. To build a similar type of ‘comfort level’ the online course needs to have sign posts that let the student know what they can expect in an online classroom and how understanding that and being able to learn within that environment may impact the quality of that experience.
The atmosphere or culture of the online classroom should present all course information is a visually pleasing way but also in such a way that all pertinent course information is communicated clearly.
Any web pages that are used or referred to should be consistent with the course material both visually and functionally.
Because the online student is navigating the course on their own and we want to keep them engaged. Accessibility should be monitored on an on-going basis and when issues arise be addressed immediately so as not to interfere with the learning process.
Sandra Silvestro
Sodang,
I like your term "proactive". Students need to engage. The content must be designed so students see the linkages within the content. So students can "connect the dots".
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Paulette,
Why does f2f course have to be instructor centric. That is a matter of choice of the instructor. I agree that content must be delivered in a different way. That is shy course design becomes so important. to create learning opportunities.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Kimberly,
Love your comments. You are right, it is about course framework and design. You have to look at words to be your guide and we have to teach students to use those words to indicate learning or not learning.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Online courses must have proactive content that will engage the students. If content is undesirable to students, engagement from the student will fall. Furthermore, content for online courses must allow users to work at their own pace.
Dr. Kelly,
Course content created for a face-to-face course can't be appropriate for an online course because it is instructor centric and not learner centric.
An online facilitator presents content without seeing the students. Therefore, content must be more personally meaningful to students to create their buy-in and keep them engaged. Online class content must foster discussion among students with minor prompting from the facilitator (e.g. probing questions).
Dr. Stephens
Hi Dr. Wilkinson,
I believe that you can use some subject content designed for face-to-face in an online setting but how you gauge student understanding will be observed differently. In an online environment, an instructor can determine knowledge and understanding my viewing student’s discussion post/responses, questions, assignments, and assessments whereas, in a face-to-face setting, an instructor can observe facial expressions and cues. A dazed look could be interpreted as confused or not interested in a face-to face environment and not submitting work could be interpreted as not interested or confused in an online environment.
If the subject matter is complex and hard to understand, one might have to dissect the information into smaller components in an online environment so that the student can better understand.
Donald,
You have relevant points. Not all online courses are short courses. Courses come in different meeting times. Mine have been a semester. It is harder to connect in a shorter time frames but if you are teaching a course that has set outcomes delivery must meet those outcomes.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
In my opinion, the technology of online content is a substitute for an discussing material in class. Yes, I do understand that instructors have chats in online courses, but there are a number of mitigating factors.
1. Online courses typically meet for less than 16 week, more like 5 weeks, 6 weeks, or even 10 to 12 weeks.
2. The students do not come to an actual classroom. The instructor is not communicating verbally for the most part, but in written form for the most part.
3. Students sometimes think that an online course is easier. This is not always true, but online courses are indeed more convenient.
4. Some institutions do not want their instructors to communicate verbally with students for fear of legal problems. This means that in online courses, much of the communication is is writing.
These are the reasons that I see.
Jenny ,
You are correct!!! You can't change the objectives but delivery must be revisited as as course design.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
The learning objectives are the same, the instruction delivery method must be revised because there is no face to face interaction or communication in real time frequently.
hyram,
Is it just that? How can you make the content appropriate? Can it?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
