Theory and Practice of Online Learning

Chapter 10

EDET J755 – Summer I, 2009Bonnie G. Knight

Instructional Design In An Ideal World

Stable instructional designs of online learning materials

Appropriate media have been selected

Technologies selected are appropriate for the course content

Designs are cost-effective and practical for use

Distinct Institutional Models for Online

Instruction

Gains support from faculty, administrators, and students

Supports the design, development and implementation of high quality instruction

What is an Online Course?

Currently, there is no standard or accepted definition.– Two Distinct Categories Now

• Text Based• Online Delivery

– The Early Days of Online Learning• All were delivered as text-based courses

– Advanteges– Criticisms

– Twenty First Century Shifts In Online Course Development

Twenty First Century Shifts In Online Course Development

Attempt to use the strengths of the Internet as a teaching and learning environment

Learning Management Systems (LMS) are now used extensively– What are the

benefits?– What are the

choices?

Learner-Centered Design

Places the control of learning itself into the hands of the students

Has led to the emergence of “E-Learning 2.0”

Leads to Implications for instructional design and development

Persuading Faculty Members To Use Educational

Technology

Using technology - accepted as a workable vehicle for instruction delivery only in the past few years

Faculty members - need to feel they are receiving encouragement and support in all areas of online development

Achieving compliance - Make using technology more meaningful for instructors

Concerns Regarding Online Course Pedagogy Must Be

AddressedOnline instruction is

still considered a novelty rather than a standard

The Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education must be followed

Quality and Access must be balanced

Promoting Active Learning Leading to High-Order

ThinkingInstructionally

innovative ways in which to deliver

course content can be developed

Promote active learning to lead to the

development of high-order and critical

thinking skills

there may be no one correct answer

use problems that require students to

understand

emphasize cognitive flexibility

create opportunities for high levels of interaction

create material that is a little more difficult

integrate formative assessment

Learn How to Teach Online

Enroll in an online course Think of learning online as a different

kind of classroom Prepare yourself for the investment of

time and effort required Use technology extensively to answer

students Be creative in using technology to teach

more effectively Lay out the ground rules immediately

Technical Skills Are Necessary

For Online TeachingTeaching online

requires one to possess at least basic PC skills.

Teaching online may require learning new software applications.

Find out if your institution supplies regular training for software.

Make sure you are very comfortable with using email.

Understand basic Internet functions, bandwidth, and connection speeds.

Have a basic understanding of how web browsers work on different types of computers.

Make the Course Successful

Plan and design the course completely

Manage Time And Resources

Create a frequently asked questions (FAQ) page

Refer students to a help-desk contact

Learn where you can find help and resources

Creating a Quality Course

a. Centralize web development into one department or unit

b. Use repositories of reusable learning objects

c. Use the capabilities of Web 2.0

The Course Development Team

Subject Matter Expert (SME)

& Programmer

&

Web developer &

Graphic designer &

Instructional Designer

Developing Effective Instructional Materials

Depends on planning, collaboration and the efforts of many people;

Online multimedia and course development;

Pegogical Standards;

And everyone involved in online instructional development .

Bibliography

Ganjalizadeh, Saiid (2006, September 15). OVERVIEW OF OPENSOURCE LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS. Retrieved June 10, 2009, from Educause Web site: http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/DEC0602.pdf

Theory and Practice of Online Learning, 2nd Edition

Anderson, T. & Elloumi, F. (Eds.). (2008) Theory and Practice of Online Learning, 2nd edition, Athabasca, AB, Canada: Athabasca University.