Technology
As I teach in Career Development, the students need both physical and mental organization to be successful in completing tasks. To be successful as an online student, the student needs to have the physcial organization of having the proper tools, such as computer with sufficient resources and software applications. If the computer does not have the updated operating systems or sufficient hard drive/memory to support this type of learning environmeny, he/she will quickly become frustrated. As important, the student needs to have the mental organization by having the correct skill set and experience in using a computer.
I teach Intro to Computers. We certify each student to participate in the online community. I have noted a few of my students do not have the experience to participate in this type of learning initially. However, my job is to help them gain competency in technology. I want them to succeed not only in an online environment,but in an improvement in overall productivity through the use of technology.
Sandra,
Yes, this is as basic as know your multiplication facts before starting algebra. Good point.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Gaining and having competency in technology is crucial to the success of the online learning experience. If a student can receive certification of their computer skills prior to implementation of an online training course, this step would enhance positive online learning outcomes.
Yes, Brian this is a common problem that online teachers face. I few a my students realized this on the onset of class and withdrew from online instruction and to the on ground class.
Hi Brian, at my institution we actually have a discussion thread for IT issues with the link to the IT helpdesk, so learners can easily get help with their technical issues and it can reduce the time instructors have to spend answering technical questions. Tina
I teach Business Math online and math is especially fun/challenging to teach online. I do refer students to the helpdesk team because many have never taken an online class before. Instructors can spend a lot of time teaching the technology piece to students (especially at the onset of the course) and this can consume too valuable instruction time. That's why I encourage students to utilize our IT helpdesk team when they experience computer issues, as opposed to asking the instructor.
what do you do if a student does not comprehend a segment of hte course?
How do you get them started in the first place?
As an online instructor, I am terrified of technology. My desire is to learn how to use the available resources (such as chat rooms, white board, etc) to help my students who are all low level and math-phobic. I would love to have access to someone like you, Edo, who could help me learn to use the technology!!
Cindy,
As a former IT professional, I always encouraged my end users, and let them know that they should not be afraid to embrace technology. I also get carried away with creating self-help documents for them, so that they can follow directions easily to complete a specified task without consulting the helpdesk.
I show them how, let them drive, and let them work.
Do you think this is too much hand-feeding, or is this format of "training" is okay for the end-user?
Hi Cindy/Everyone. When I taught undergraduate onground we required everyone to complete into to computers. You'd be surprise of the lack of technology skills students have. When students enter an online environment without every hitting a physical campus it's every so tough for us to gauge their level of technological proficiency. And those that struggle will have little idea of what equipment and software they need to enable them to succeed.
Reginald
There are several ways.
1. to employ a standard for discussions etc.
2. contact the student outside of class and discuss appropriate responses and the need for treating each other as we would like to be treated.
Marybeth
You can always ask if technology is a blessing or a curse. It enables discussion throughout the world through courses like this - but it also allows an on-call attitude throughout the day and night.
It is important to manage our lives and not be susceptible to losing ourselves due to the need for continuous communication.
Dr. Regan
In the courses where you can put out a question and have an open discussion - the students participate and enjoy the discussion - and the course more.
I teach writing online, and I find that I often turn into a computer teacher at times. Some students are well prepared for online learning, while others can barely turn a computer on. In addition to physical and mental organization, I believe some level of computer understanding is required to succeed in online learning environments.
Some students who come in with little or no knowledge of computers have the drive to learn about them in orientation and intro-level online learning classes, usually by learning through experience as they go. However, for others this is a daunting task.
For this reason, I think your discipline of career development and the intro to computers course are especially essential skills, especially amidst an online learning system. The knowledge students gain from these areas translate into real world situations and into other courses.
I know there are some institutions that do just what you described for the same reasons you list above. It is a great way to determine if a student has the skills to be successful.
I believe it is vitally important for all students to have a proper foundation in the use of the computer to be fully successful in an online learning environment. I think the best way for this to be evaluated is for the student’s to take a pre-test that test their technical ability on computer skills. If they score poorly then they should be encouraged to take some introductory labs to get their skills to a required minimum level. This simple process would most likely prevent student frustration and improve student retention. I would offer these labs as a free component to all enrolled students. A failure of a student to have the basic skills of using, Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint, an academic search engine and basic computer navigation skills will make an online learning environment very tough for any beginning student and impossible for intermediate students.
I have found into to computers to be one of the dullest subjects. I find myself coming up with a lot of extra activities to keep the students occupied.
I also have found that many of my students do not know as much as they think they do about computers.
