Lisa,
Definitely. Knowing where the student are coming from and where you want to take them are essential. I also like your ideas of getting feedback from others as you develop your course framework. Thanks!
Claireann,
I agree that learning style is important, but online classes should be equipped with different formats of information to meet everyone's learning styles.
I think it is hard to narrow down to judt 3, but what would be productive for an online course would be:
Consistency of course framework: what do I want the students to know and do, how will the content be delivered and how will student receive it, and how to assess the knowledge of the content via student.
Need to analyze the students knowledge base and learning needs to creat learning objectives and database that are tied into subject matter.
Having a dynamic syllabus keeps the student active and allows for changes to occur as the course is in progress.
Building a communication network between instructor, students and groups is key for success.
Dr. Crews,
In developing a course I think first I must know what I want the students to learn and know, how they will achieve this knowledge and what plan to use in getting them to the desired outcome. First to build a framework template run pilot test on the information make interventions through feedback then proceed to the course module creation.
Thanks,
Lisa
bobbe,
Yes, knowing where students "are coming from" and what they know helps develop a good course framework. Assessing students to determine what they know and what they don't know is equally important. The more people you get to assess a course, the more feedback you'll get from different perspectives. Nice job. Thanks for your input.
Developing a good course framework. Knowing what foundation the students have individually through assessing them initially -- feedback and going over course outline/syllabus and what's is expected of them and their individual expectations of the course itself.
Keeping in mind the course objective along with
devlivery of the course. Relaying what students need to focus on as far as content goes. Feedback.
Periodic testing to see what the students have retained and if they are still on course.
Definite revisions along the way to ensure students have a complete understanding of the course, actually learning the course content. Promote interaction.
Also,assessments -- always -- along the way to see if you have straddlers or to check that everyone is on the same page.
The instructor should always sit down and review the entire output of the course before expecting others to view it. Have a friend review it as well to see if the course is on track as far as objective or too comprehensive. Get opinions.
Be consistent.
Bryan & Bill,
Thanks for continuing the conversation. Developing rules for interaction with assigned participation points helps me encourage the students to be more involved in the social interaction of the online course. Also, I have students introduce themselves through a home page and then have students review all home pages and find something in common with at least three other students in the class. They post on a discussion board the things that have in common with the other students. This helps students begin to develop a relationship with others. This process can continue in a variety of ways. Thanks again.
Bryan,
Thanks for your input. I do some type of diagnostic test (typically a pre-test) at the beginning of each course to try to understand where the students are at the beginning of the course. I also do a post-test (same as the pre-test) to see what they've learned by the end of the course. This helps me adjust the course the next time. The tools and keeping communication frequent are also key components. Nice job.
Hi Bill,
I am intrigued by your inclusion of "the social milieu" for the online environment.
We are in the process of creating this thing called "online learning," so it is tough to imagine what social qualities it has.
Most of the courses I have facilitated included social aspects, but many students can avoid almost entirely.
How might we foster social interaction in an online environment?
Hi Everyone,
I imagine that the most important elements in creating a course will be understanding where the students are presently, where they are expected to be by the end of the course, and understanding how to use the tools at my disposal most effectively to get them from A to B.
The first element typically is the hardest to ascertain, so any help with this would be appreciated. I imagine, again, that this is just a matter of determining who your target students are through experience. The first time I teach for a new institution with be my first experience with the type of students that attend there.
The second element, where they are expected to be, is just a matter of reading the expectations of the school or program. The destination is often not the toughest thing to figure out, but having it is paramount to beginning a course.
Finally, knowing the tools is quite important. Students will expect you to be able to explain them, and they will expect you to use them as competently as your fellow instructors.
Joe,
Good info. Thanks for your input. Love that you mentioned Bloom's Taxonomy and discuss a variety of ways to provide content to students. Nice job.
When authoring an online course, the students are the most important element. Similar to what William posted as the target audience, the learning styles, education levels and anticipated demographics are important. Students, or learners, are the only reason we exist as an educational entity. We must meet their needs and expectations.
The subject is usually given, so the next most important item is the learning objectives and levels of learning. We use Blooms taxonomy and an integrated Instructional Design System to develop the learning objectives and levels of learning. These factors drive course design and types of delivery.
The third item to consider is the delivery. We use a Learning Management System with a standard template. The higher level of Bloom’s we are striving to achieve, the more interactive and complicated the course design. Knowledge level courses are fairly simple to achieve. Planning to rise above the level of Analyze is extremely challenging online. Simple video, capture, lecture etc, must give way to interactive discussion and exchange of ideas well beyond a simple discussion board such as this one.
I think that making sure that you understand the course that you are teaching so that you can relay that information to your students. Communication is another importance. Because since you are teaching an online course you do not see your students at all. You as the instructor have to make sure that you spell things out clearly to the students so that there will not be any miss communication throughout the course. Staying positive thinking throughout the course. As an instructor, I feel like students that are taking an online class for the first time can be stressed. As an instructor, I think that its important for me to send out positive remembers to my class just to remind them on why they started back to school and that their goal/outcome is very important to them and also to me.
bobbe,
Perfect. Your thinking is right on. Making the necessary adjustments/revisions along the way is essential. Thanks for your input.
Sandi,
Right on! Knowing your audience is important and being able to explain the expectations and course learning outcomes is essential. Nice job.
I would need to know what speed levels my students need to attain (specialized class). This would cover what the students' have learned previously and where they are headed.
I would stress what the course objective is, and the road map to get there.
I would make revisions along the way to ensure they reach the actual objective of the course and are successful.
I consider:
1. The target audience.
2. Guidelines for successful course completion.
2. The tone and message of support and clarity.
Robert,
Yes, getting to know your students and understanding where they are "coming from" is a great way to better provide information to students in a way they will best succeed. We're all different and, as instructors, we're here to help them succeed. Thanks!
I believe that the consideration of the learning level of the students should be primary followed by the mandatory course components (presented in as easy to understand way as possible) and then the students ability to access the results of assessments related to the course.
Muriel,
Yes, knowing your audience, what you are teaching and what the students should be able to do are all essential. Thank you.
