Interaction AECT 2012

Building classroom community using collaborative online course design

Institute for Distance and Distributed Learning

Building Classroom Community Building Classroom Community Using Collaborative Online Using Collaborative Online

Course DesignCourse DesignPresented at 28th Annual Conference on Distance Teaching & Learningwww.onlineinteract.weebly.com

M. Aaron BondDaron WilliamsSamantha J. Blevins

http://www.onlineinteract.weebly.com/



Participants will Describe research-based pedagogical practices

for building community in hybrid and online environments.

Demonstrate knowledge and use of a variety of online collaborative tools.

Explain how to apply theory to distance learning classroom practices.

ObjectivesObjectives



Name?

Profession?

Why this workshop?

Favorite Food?

IntroductionsIntroductions



Why community?BackgroundBackground



For classes delivered electronically to be worthwhile instructors must allow for the interaction of three essential elements: social presence, cognitive presence and teacher presence (Garrison, Anderson, & Archer, 2000)

BackgroundBackground



Learning experiences must utilize multiple methods to deliver content to see increased gains in student learning (Moore, 2008)

Designed interactions and collaboration opportunities are essential for building an online learning community (Palloff and Pratt, 1999).

BackgroundBackground



I won’t be able to connect with my students.It is possible for students to feel disconnected

from professors in either environment. The online environment offers many more ways for connections.

Our ResearchOur Research



eLearning Interaction ModeleLearning Interaction Model



How can we “minimize” the medium when:Creating Assignments?Students are Confused?Giving Feedback?Fostering Interaction?

BrainstormBrainstorm



SynchronousIVCteleconferencesOnline classroom

AsynchronousWebsitesNarrated lectures for downloadBlogs, Wikis, and podcasting Forums, email

Hybrid

Types of eLearningTypes of eLearning



Saba Centra Adobe Connect GoToMeeting

Skype FaceTime Google+ Hangout

Chat/IM

Synchronous/Hybrid ToolsSynchronous/Hybrid Tools

http://www.centra.iddl.vt.edu/



Develop an activity that enhances community in your online course for each of the following types of synchronous tools.Instant Messaging/ChatGoogle Hangout/Skype/FaceTimeOnline Classroom (Centra, Eluminate,

Connect)

ActivityActivity



Please be back in 10 MinutesMid-Workshop BreakMid-Workshop Break



Learner takes charge of learningActive Learning

QuestioningSocratic Discussion/DebateGroup ActivitiesProblem SolvingCase Studies

Asynchronous Teaching: Asynchronous Teaching: Student CenteredStudent Centered



“Busy work” can seem boring and pointless to both students and instructors

Make Topic Interesting and RelevantApplication

Asynchronous AssignmentsAsynchronous Assignments



Encourage Timely ParticipationParticipate Too

Use EmoticonsAsk Follow up Questions

Intervene as necessaryCreate Safe Environment

Asynchronous FacilitationAsynchronous Facilitation



Problem SolvingOral CommunicationWritten CommunicationTeamworkTechnical Knowledge

Asynchronous TransferAsynchronous Transfer



3 ModelsCooperationCollaboration and CooperationCollaboration, Cooperation, and Peer

AssessmentWikispaces.comSciFi Wiki

WikisWikis



Journal or Reflective ExerciseOpportunities for follow-up

commentsCan be private or openExamples

Wordpress.comblogger.com

U.S. Women’s History II Blog (Virginia Tech)

BlogsBlogs



Digital containers Displaying audio, graphics and textual

artifacts3 Purposes

Track learningAssess learningDemonstrate Professional Development

Reflection is the key

E-PortfoliosE-Portfolios



Robust enough to serve as formative AND summative assessment

Free ePortfolio toolswww.weebly.comwww.wix.comgoogle.sites.com

ePortfolios at Virginia Tech



Can Be The Heart of the Online CourseExtend Course ContentOpen-ended QuestionsMust connect to course objectives.Can’t be “black and white” questionsReflective, creative, and critical

thinking

Discussion BoardsDiscussion Boards



Informative SessionsInteractive LecturesGroup WorkAssessment/Feedback

AnnouncementsYouTubeExamples

Video-Based LearningVideo-Based Learning



Develop an activity that enhances community in your online course for each of the following types of asynchronous tools.WikiBlogDiscussion Board/ForumVideo-Based LearningePortfolio

ActivityActivity



Do we need to grade participation in community?

Assessing Assessing Interaction/CommunityInteraction/Community



Rubric ExerciseActivityActivity



Teach Everything the First WeekSmall CohortsFair Group Grading PracticesDeliberate and Authentic

InteractionsRubricsInformed StudentsEmploy Case Studies

Know your students

Tips and TricksTips and Tricks



No matter the tool you use, community is built and maintained by an involved instructor.

Tying it All TogetherTying it All Together



Closing ActivityShare in your group one strategy that

you will use when you return home.

Share contact information.

Tying it All TogetherTying it All Together



Questions?Questions?



Garrison, D. R., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (1999). Critical Inquiry in a Text-Based Environment: Computer Conferencing in Higher Education. The Internet and Higher Education, 2(2-3), 87 - 105. doi:DOI: 10.1016/S1096-7516(00)00016-6

Moore, J.C. (2008). A Synthesis of Sloan-C Effective Practices. The Sloan Consortium.

Palloff, R., & Pratt, K. (1999). Building Learning Communities in Cyberspace: Effective Strategies for the Online Classroom. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

ReferencesReferences

Documents

Interaction AECT 2012