Module 4 Continued

These are some interesting blogs about engaging learners online that could be very helpful to instructors and students.

http://blogs.csuchico.edu/tlp/?cat=21

http://technologylearnervoice.wordpress.com/2009/09/02/engaging-adult-learners/

http://newlearningplaybook.com/blog/turning-online-learners-into-engaged-learners/

Module 4 Engaging Learners - Assignments

Here is the link to my graphic organizer

http://clee387.wikispaces.com/EDUC+7102

As shown by the chart, I have chosen five technology tools that can be used in the online classroom setting to reiterate the ideas of content, collaboration and communication. They are podcasting, video conferencing, wikis, blogs and discussion lists or bulletin boards. The use of these tools tend to increase knowledge and ideas, actively engage the student in learning, creates a social atmosphere for students, and wonderful tools for group work like cooperative laerning and problem based learning. Use of the podcasting and videoconferencing would take some training but it would be beneficial to the students because its another method of teaching. They also provide the opportunity to meet different students learning styles. Wikis, blogs and discussion lists or bulletin boards would be more easily to integrate. Most wikis and blogs are free and very user friendly.

Module 3: Assessing Collaborative Efforts

I think that participation in a collaborative learning community should be assessed through various methods, like group projects, communication logs and discussion groups and providing feedback. Regardless of the amount of skills and knowledge that an individual brings to the course, an instructor should rate learning by actual completion of assignments and work in order be fair.

As stated by Palloff and Pratt (2007), “The most powerful experiences are those in which interaction occurs throughout the group instead of between one participant and the facilitator within group setting.” If a student does not want to network or collaborate in a learning community for an online course there are many things that can be done. In doing so you want to be fair to that person and the members of the learning community also. To begin with, all learning communities should have a team charter. This charter is like the bylaws of the community and should be agreed upon by each member. The first thing that should be done is the member should be reminded of the expectations that were agreed upon in the beginning when the learning community was established. If this does not work, other members have to combine together to do assignments, then it should taken up with the instructor. Whatever consequences are set up by the instructor should be carried out.

References

Anderson, T. (Ed.). (2008). The theory and practice of online learning (2nd ed.). Edmonton, AB: Athabasca University Press.

Palloff, R. M., & Pratt, K. (2007). Building online learning communities: Effective strategies for the virtual classroom. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Module 3: Video Presentation Storyboard

Here is the link to my storyboard. I put it on my wikispace because it would not upload documents here. It is still a work in progress and I will update later this week. Let me know what you think so far. Thanks!!!!

Lee Storyboard