Tanya,
Good point! These key components you noted are essential. Accessibility is important so that all students can utilize the communication. Without the accessibility, the ease of use and added value wouldn't "have a chance." ;-)
Three important things to consider for communication technologies are:
1. Accessibility - can all students access the tool?
2. Ease of use - if it is a new technology, will it be easy for student to begin using right away?
3. Added value - is the technology just cool and interesting or does it truly add value to the class communication?
Jennifer,
These are essential components to utilizing communication tools to their fullest. Thanks for your input.
It is important to consider the size of your audience, their access to the chosen technology and the message you which to convey.
Lisa,
Good list. These are important considerations to make sure the communication tools are used effectively by the instructor and the students. Thanks for sharing.
1. Ease of use. If students, and instructors, are frustrated by the tool you have decided to use in the online classroom, it won't be utilized.
2. Cost - education costs are high for all students. Instructors needs to be mindful of additional costs to the students.
3. Accessibility - everyone can get to it and use it.
Veronica,
Technology plays such a key role in the communication process in online courses. Making sure the students have access and understand how to use the technology is essential. Thanks for your input.
When assessing the use of technology communication tools in a virtual learning environment you should consider the level of exposure of each student, understand the importance of the use of technology as it pertains to effective communication, and understand that providing feedback has to use the vehicle of technology. All of these components are important in a virtual classroom environment.
Nancy,
Right on. The tools should be intuitive and easy to use. If not, students and the instructor will struggle to communicate. This is never good. Thanks for your input.
Effective communication tools must be easy for both student and instructor to use, first and foremost. Students will not spend time monkeying around with software that has glitches.
Also, it needs to fit the environment. A phone call is great to introduce myself or to answer a question verbally or to reset a test. It is not a good way to impart information to a group.
I am leary of using social networking sites. The security--or lack thereof--is a concern as well as maintaining appropriate language and literacy. I may understand "TTFN", but the student may not.
Nancy
Jacqueline,
Yes, we do need to understand the population - our students. You also bring up other important factors to think about. Thanks!
Jacqueline,
I like that you have a progression - steps - in your thoughts and the process you've describes. Thanks for your input.
Understanding the student's generation identity would be the first step. Once I understand that, I would be able to move to step 2.
Using the proper technology tools. If the student is a Baby Boomer, texting would not work. Once I understand the best method of communication, I would move to step 3.
Establish the pattern of communication. Ensure that the student and I both understand the time frames and methods so that we are both comfortable with our interaction in the online classroom.
Jacqueline Bloink
Think about the population of the class (who is taking it) and the type of technology that they are use to.
For example, if teaching a class geared toward a geriatric population, texting might not be appropriate.
Economic factors might also apply. If teaching an online class geared toward inner city children they might not have sophisticated technology tools as others.
Jacqueline Bloink
Kelly,
Yes, we definitely have to think about the the size of the group and how we want to communicate the information. The technology must match the purpose too - good point. Thanks!
Hello All,
The size of the group.
The nature of communication.
The timing and pace of the communication.
Size determines the capabilities of the technology.
The subject and or purpose determines technology choice.
The time frame and the timing of the communication will dictate the appropriate method of delivery.
Thank you.
Kelly
Justin,
Nice job. If the communication tools don't have the features the students and instructors need, they are not helpful for sure. And, without access and ease of use, no communication may happen. Thanks for your input.
1) Functionality/Features - Plain and simple does this tool do what I need it to do? You should examine the tool to make sure it has all the features you require to successfully accomplish your tasks and facilitate communication with your students. You might look for features that allow public broadcast to multiple parties, private messaging and real-time messaging. Facebook is an example that offers all three.
2) Access - You need to consider the ability of the student to access the technology. You can't always count on a student to have the latest phone or computer, so you should rely on tools that maximize access and accessibility. Tools like Facebook and Google+ are good examples of this since both can be accessed by phones, pads and computers and doesn't require high spec machines.
3) Ease of Use - The best feature set in the world doesn't matter if you can't use it. I have a Masters in Computer Science, but you'll never catch me on IRC it doesn't make sense to me. It's a wonderful communication tool that has a lot of features, but it's also very esoteric and at times very difficult to use and understand. The tool should be approachable and maximize ease of use.
Elodie,
Ease of Use; Features; Current - these are all good things to assess when checking out communication tools. Thanks for your input.
Great question! When assessing the use of technology communication tool in a virtual learning environment, the three most important things to consider are:
1. Ease of use, meaning it is user-friendly for both the instructor and the students. If it requires to spend a lot of time reading the instructions then it is not an intuitive tool and thus most likely the students will not know how to use. We all know that students do not read as much as the previous generations.
2. Necessary features, meaning the tool has the desired features to get the job done for the course. Often times minimum features are not part of the bundle and so the instructor and the students cannot complete their tasks due to missing features.
3. Latest tool, meaning the tool is trendy and thus will be use in the workforce that the students are trying to work in. There is no reason to use tools out of date.
