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Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

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Page 1: Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

Virtual Learning Communities (VLC)

Engaging Students in Blended & Online

Environments

Page 2: Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

Change is difficult, but necessary!

With every technology innovation, there have

been naysayers.

Page 3: Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

Today, our students’

concept of a classroom

is much different from when many

of us were in school.

Page 4: Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

Technology is a Delivery System, Not a Teacher

?

Blended/online courses are only as good as the instructors who

design and teach them.

Page 5: Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

Blended & Online Learning

Blended/online learning is the organic

integration of thoughtfully selected and complementary traditional and online approaches and technologies (Garrison & Vaughan, 2008).

Page 6: Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

Activity: Rethinking Our Roles (5 minutes)

• What makes a blended/online instructor effective?

• What makes a blended/online student successful?

Page 7: Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

Qualities of an Effective Blended/Online Instructor

• Encourages weekly contact between students and faculty

• Develops reciprocity and cooperation among students

• Encourages active learning

• Gives prompt feedback

• Emphasizes time on task

• Communicates high expectations

• Respects diverse talents and ways of learning

(Chickering and Gamson, 1987)

Page 8: Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

• Follows the syllabus as a contract

• Maintains weekly contact/discussion with faculty/peers

• Seeks relevant training and assistance

• Utilizes effective time and study management

• Provides constructive feedback to peers

• Posts thoughtful discussion commentary

• Collaborates well with others

Qualities of an Effective Blended/Online Student

Page 9: Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

COI Model is under the Copyright of Garrison & Anderson, 2003

Page 10: Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

Virtual Learning Communities (VLC)• virtual learning community:

– This is a term that falls under the umbrella of CMC, computer-mediated communication, a term popularized by John December. CMC is human communication via the computer.

– Primarily Internet-based, CMC focuses on the group dynamics, team-based learning activities, and associated collaboration and communication technologies, that closely dovetail with the constructivist learning theories embodied in collaborative learning, cooperative learning, and situated learning, among other theories… (Leonard, 2002, p. 200)

Page 11: Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

Virtual Learning Communities (VLC)

• virtual learning community:

– CMC is a process and a technology whereby humans can create, exchange, enhance, and access information over the Internet to enhance communication and to create virtual learning communities.

– Virtual learning communities are groups of people who use the computer to engage in Web-based knowledge transfer, Web-based education, and Web-based training within a virtual learning environment over the Internet. (Leonard, 2002, p. 200)

Page 12: Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

VLC Opportunities• Empowers faculty and students to interact

regularly in electronic environments

• Creates a sense of belonging and connection and community

• Develops sophisticated technology and information literacy skills

• Fosters continuous feedback by both faculty and peers

• Increase in student accountability for ownership of learning

• Cultivates collaborative skills

• Provides flexible scheduling for faculty and anytime/anywhere access and voice for students who may otherwise be unable to attend traditional classroom education

Page 13: Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

VLC Challenges• Struggles with inaccurate negative stygma

• Challenges study and time management skills

• Involves comprehensive front-end preparation to develop meaningful learning activities

• Necessitates much time, patience, and effort for successful management

• Commands ongoing technology training

• Demands some tolerance for software/hardware glitches

• Requires access to high-speed internet and tech gadgets

Page 14: Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

VLC: Important Terms

• Instructional Design• Asynchronous v. Synchronous

delivery• Web 2.0 tools• Podcasts/Vodcasts/Screencasts• Wikis• Blogs

Page 15: Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

VLC: Important Terms

• Social Bookmarking• Usergroups & Listservs• Threaded Discussions• Virtual Teams and Worlds• Online Identities (Avatars)• Liability Issues

Page 16: Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

Investigating Web 2.0 Tools (10 minutes)

• Go to the online database of Web 2.0 Tools at http://www.go2web20.net/

• Search through the listings to explore what types of tools are available for blended/online course development and instruction

Activity:

Page 17: Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

A Few Examples

Page 18: Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

VLC: Resources

• Database of Web 2.0 Tools http://www.go2web20.net/

• Evaluating Online Learning: Challenges and Strategies for Success http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/academic/evalonline/index.html

• TechSoup http://www.techsoup.org/toolkits/web2/

• Free Audio Clips http://www.freeaudioclips.com/

• Free Photography http://www.freefoto.com/index.jsp

See training handouts for additional resources.

Page 19: Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

Activity: Create a Classroom Wiki

• Using the handout provided, you will develop an educational wiki for one class.

• You will have the opportunity to create a “welcome” page, post your syllabus, and create pages for other educational items such as assignment description, rubrics, etc

• Have fun!