Donna,
Thank you for providing your input through this forum in the question format. This helps others think about the questions they should ask when planning and teaching their online class. Thanks.
Alan,
Good questions. We need to carefully consider the technology tool and how we communicate with our students.
Thanks.
I believe when assessing the use of technology communication tools in a virtual learning environment it is wise to consider the following: 1) As the instructor, do I love this tool? What is my comfort level or skill level? Will I be able to be a positive role model using this tool? Will I be able to be an expert and help tutor students? Is this tool worth the time investment or will it soon be replace by another tool?
2) Does the technology enhance the overall communication? The tool must enhance the process, not be a burden. It must increase effectiveness, not decrease. Don’t just use technology for the sake of using technology.
3) Are the requirements of the technology communication tools in alignment with the university’s requirements for students? Many programs have technological requirements upon a student’s enrollment. It would be wise to know if the tool you are considering fits within the student’s current requirements. Are there any associated costs for the student?
How effective is the tool for communicating the message.
How esay is the tool for the student to use and is it asynchronous.
How easy is the tool for the instructor to use.
Dr. Kevin,
Yes, the technology has to do what you want it to do and help the students learn. Thanks for your input.
Brion & Jill,
Thanks for continuing the conversation. I always try to use the lowest technology that will work for what I need it to do. It alleviates some headaches.
Brion.,
It's hard to narrow it down sometimes, but you've done a good job. The content and type of course does impact how we teach and connect with our students. Thanks again for your input.
Brion.,
Excellent. Sounds like you are trying to get to know your students and develop that community. Keep up the good work.
When assessing the use of technology communication tools in a virtual learning environment, I would say that three of the most important things to consider are function of the technology, the way in which it will be used, and the needs of the students. All of these things should match because a disconnect in either area would undoubtedly diminish effectiveness of the tool.
Kevin
Hello Jill,
Yes, I agree with you about your statement about downloading. I have noticed that with the most advanced technology that I have used- it has seemed to have caused much more headaches for students and tech help. Thus, sometimes the most advanced technology, though effective as it is, can be the most counterproductive. Brion.
Tena,
I think that there are several things that I would look at in evaluating my tools. Firat, would the tools make things more efficient for my students or complicate things? If these are new students, I think that it would be better to take it slow at first with new students rather than overwhelming. Second, I think it would be important to assess the type of course that I would be instructing. For instance, a research course may be more effective with a simple chalk board and text to allow the students questions to be responded to -while it may be more effective to use more advanced technology in other courses. I also think that it really depends on the teaching style of the instructor. An instructor that uses the socratic methods may have different needs than an instructor that uses a more visual learning technique. Just my thoughts. Brion.
Hello Tena,
I agree with you. I tend to spend a good 15 minutes in the first chat trying to find a rapport with my students. The most important part is taking an interest in their future plans and attempting to assess how they are looking to use the information they learn in the class towards those goals. Brion.
Steven ,
Right on. These are all excellent suggestions for effective communications with students.
Nice job.
Carolyn,
Yes. The students ability and access are essential. When they are able to effectively use and troubleshoot their technology issues, the better. Thanks for your input.
1) Communication with the student
2) Answer e-mails the same day or within hours
3) Be available during reasonable hours to answer student questions
When using technology, the follow are items I deem important:
1. Ability of the student to use the technology is important
2. Troubleshooting Guide
3. All students have the same technology
(1) If the student does not know how to save a file (as an example), detailed instructions need to be provided. I send them to YouTube!
(2) A trouble shooting guide has been a life saver for me in a Microsoft Office Applications class. Students panic and cannot find a link right under their noses!
(3) Some on line students are a version or two behind in Office products and operating systems. Again, You Tube has saved the day!
Dena,
You ask very good questions. Thanks! Your experience in the F2F classroom will help you tremendously in the online world. Keep working on the details and you will continue to be successful. Thanks!
I have been an English professor for over thirteen years, but I've only been an online professor for two years. I have found that the three most important things to consider when evaluating the use of technology communication tools in an online class are as follows:
1. the familiarity that students have with technology (are they comfortable with technology? are they new to the online world and slightly scared of technology? are they somewhere in between?)
2. the material I am teaching (is this a beginning English class being taught to fitness students? is this an advanced grammar class being taught to court reporting students? is this a Business English class being taught to Health and Information Medical Coding students? what is their prior knowledge of the subject?)
3. the goals of my students (is this a general education class that does not build up to another class, or is this a prerequisite for a more difficult class? how can I link the subject to my students' goals in order to generate interest? what do my students truly need to get from my class?)
I find that these answers change from time to time, depending on the group of students I have at any given time. Sometimes, age and generational gaps become a more important thing to consider; older students may not be as involved with technology as younger students. Sometimes, socioeconomic background needs to be considered. Do my students have the financial security to balance school, work, and family? Can my students pay their internet bills and keep a good network system running? Every detail comes into play in the online education forum (just as it does in bricks and mortar education).
robert,
It is good to make sure the tool is accessible by all students even with dial-up. Good point. Thanks for your input.
I my opinion the three most important things to consider in accessing the use of technology communication tools in a virtual environment are:
1. To ensure the tool meets the needs of the course. Can the tool be tailored to a specific class?
2. Will students be able to use the tool? What are the minimum technology requirements? I still have students that use dial-up to login to the classroom.
3. Does the tool increase the efficiency of the class and does it meet the different learning styles of students.
