Designing Online Courses

Introduction to Online Teaching has been completed and I am onto Designing Online Content. Once again I am feeling stress from the overwhelming amount of content and resources available to the online instructor. My goal is to approach everything with an eye for what is most effective for my objective which is to provide exemplary courses that teach psychology in an active and comprehensive manner.

I am very excited to start the design process. The organization, planning and artistic aspects of design appeal to me. As a student I have become aware that a properly designed course can be the difference between an average and great learning experience. It is of note, that active facilitation of a well designed course is also necessary.

I find it daunting when I consider the amount of detail involved, the deliberate planning and executing of every aspect, and the amount of work ahead of me. But, none-the- less, I am looking forward to the challenge.

I have decided to design a fully online course for Abnormal Psychology. Let's hope I did not bite off more than I can chew!

Facilitating Online Learning... The First Week

It is the first week of Facilitating Online Learning which is the second course in the sequence to Online Teaching Certification. I am required to sign up to act as a facilitator for a week in the class. I will be expierencing the instructor role of responding to asynchronous discussion threads with feedback that is informative and moves the discussion toward further learning using facilitation strategies taught in the course. In addition, I will be delivering a synchronous virtual classroom session on Wimba. The session I signed up for is called "Common Problems In Facilitating" which asks me to apply information learned throughout the course to solve common problems encountered in online teaching.

How do I feel about this assignment? Like someone pushed me in the deep end of the pool.

I am excited to have a chance to facilitate and look forward to the experience. I feel confident that I can handle Wimba, and other technical issues. However, I am concerned about the subject I will be teaching. I find it daunting to be asked to facilitate a subject where I am currently a student and lack expertise. I expect this will be the most difficult aspect of the assignment for me. I definitely expect to find this exercise challenging yet rewarding.

My plan is learn from my fellow students while being supportive of their efforts. In addition, I intend to PREPARE. I believe that the best thing I can do to combat my anxiety is take the course one day at a time, and work hard.

It is time to dive in!

Final Blog... Introduction to Onine Teaching

I DID IT !!!!!

The first class in the sequence I began to become certified in online teaching is wrapping up. The focus of this post is to reflect on the information that the class introduced, and clarify how these concepts can translate to exemplary effective teaching of fully online and hybrid classes.

The second half of course reviewed learning theories. As a graduate student in the field of psychology I have an in depth knowledge regarding learning theories, but this class has guided consideration toward how these theories can be applied to the design of online learning activities.

My basic goal is to promote learning. An understanding of how students learn is necessary, especially when the instructor and student are geographically separated.

Cognitive psychology proposes that learning involves memory, thinking, reflection and motivation. The student that applies effort and in depth processing to their existing knowledge learns best.

Constructivists believe that students interpret information according to the way they perceive reality. Observation, processing, interpretation are key to constructivism. Learners that can contextualize what they learn and apply it immediately, learn best because information takes on personal meaning.

I believe that the design of online materials should include ideas and principles from both theories.

Learning activities that promote active learning, student-to-instructor interaction, student-to-student interaction, and student involvement in the learning processes all improve online courses.

Instructors that are able to communicate high expectations, give immediate feedback, plan appropriately with consideration to time on task, and encourage students with a respect for their individual talents and learning styles make exemplary teachers.

Learning Contracts, discussion threads, activities the require self directed learning, providing case studies, small group work assignments, and the inclusion of collaborative learning are activities I plan to add to classes. Online access to textbook information, links to web resources, use of learning repositories such as Merlot will all improve my online teaching.

In addition, I will continue to maintain and update my e-portfolio, while adding to my education of new resources that are available to online teaching. New resources will continue to be designed, and current ones will be improved. It is my goal to stay abreast of what is offered and how to creatively, and effectively apply them to my courses.

I feel confident that when I finish becoming certified, I will be a competent and effective instructor of online psychology, and be capable of enhancing face-to-face courses by providing online resources.

Self Directed Blog on Wikis

We are coming near the end of my first class in the online teaching certification course. After completing my first online group collaboration I have found myself interested in Wikis.

The term ‘wiki’ is derived from the Hawaiian phrase ‘wiki-wiki’ which translates to quick. A wiki is a application that allows users to collaborate, create and edit websites. The most well-known is Wikipedia. Visitors can read the Wikipedia website content, edit content and create topics. While wise students know that they need to evaluate this source for accuracy, this wiki is an interesting use of collaborative technology available on the web. Wikipedia is a good example of the unique and powerful information sharing features of a wiki.

The collaborative features of wikis are well suited for learning environments. A wiki can actively involve learners in the construction of their own knowledge and enhance the learning process. When a wiki is used by a group of students peer interaction is increased. In addition, the facilitation and sharing of knowledge, and student cooperation is promoted.

During our group project, the Wetpaint wiki helped us interact with one another and negotiate solutions to problems. We found it allowed us the ability to seek assistance from each other, while sharing and clarifying our ideas.

While researching creative ways educators use wiki’s, I found many interesting ways to apply the wiki to education.

Duffy and Bruns (2006) list several possible educational uses of wikis:

• Students can use a wiki to develop research projects, with the wiki serving as ongoing documentation of their work.

• Students can add summaries of their thoughts from the prescribed readings, building a collaborative annotated bibliography on a wiki.

• A wiki can be used for publishing course resources like syllabi and handouts, and students can edit and comment on these directly for all to see.

• Teachers can use wikis as a knowledge base, enabling them to share reflections and thoughts regarding teaching practices, and allowing for versioning and documentation.

• Wikis can be used to map concepts. They are useful for brainstorming, and editing a given wiki topic can produce a linked network of resources.

• A wiki can be used as a presentation tool in place of conventional software, and students are able to directly comment on and revise the presentation content.

Other novel wikis:

Some students use wiki’s for groups of students to keep notes online. This adds the benefit of peers reviewing, editing and changing the notes.

Check out http://studyhall.wikispaces.com/ where students in a study hall have compiled notes, and study guides to share with one another. Things have changed since my study hall days, where I spent 45 minutes passing notes.

Or take a look at http://bothellcampus.wetpaint.com/ where students can find information on clubs, service learning or campus resources offered at thier school.

Even college counselors have a wiki. The site http://collegelists.pbworks.com/is a wiki where school advisors share information with one another about colleges and universities that are categorized by specialities ranging from architecture to video gaming design.

If you have an interest in how wiki’s are being used in classroom, I recommend the http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul9YM7QZZis&feature=related video for an in depth analysis on the subject.

Duffy, P. & Bruns, A. (2006). The use of blogs, wikis and RSS in education: conversation of possibilities. Proceedings of the Online Learning and Teaching Conference 2006, Brisbane: September 26. Retrieved November 2006 from http://olt.qut.edu.au/udf/OLT2006/gen/static/papers/Duffy_OLT2006_paper.ppdf

Introduction To Online Teaching Certification Course - The Half Way Benchmark

Looking back on the first half of my introductory course to the Online Learning Certification program, I am amazed how at the amount of ground we have covered.

We have learned about the Online Learning Environment, Models of Online Learning, Learning Styles, Teaching Styles, Accessibility Issues, E-portfolios, Wimba, Blogs, Group Teaching Projects and more. All this and we are only half way through the class!

When I started the class I checked the syllabus, and became anxious yet excited about learning so many new computer technologies. I had no idea how many resources were available to enhance an online course. I lost my anxiety as I became more competent in the computer applications, and now look forward to the second half of class. Bring it on!

Beyond the computer skills I have gained, I paid special attention to the areas of the course that focus on teaching and learning. Obviously, it is mandatory for an online instructor to be competent in teaching. I have enjoyed participating in discussion threads and group activities.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that I felt as connected to my classmates in this class, as I have in face-to-face classes. I have found my student-instructor interactions at the same level compared to my face-to-face classes. My instructor has responded quickly, consistently and provided helpful critiques of my work. I plan to live up to her example.

I have found the assumption that online learning lacks interactivity and a sense of community to be false. In this class I have experienced an interactive community of learners. If an online instructor uses the email, Wimba, discussion threads, activities, chat rooms and conferences available and productively, students will not feel disconnected.

Unique characteristics that define online learning (most commonly asynchronous text-based interaction) can actually lead to enhanced or hyper communications (Walther, 1996).

I completed a survey and found my learning style was balanced. I now know that I want to enhance any courses I design with activities that suit all learning styles. Visual, Audio and Kinesthetic learners can be engaged in many ways which we began to apply in our group teaching project.

http://www.eazhull.org.uk/initiatives/KingswoodFS/learning_styles.htm

It has become clear to me that my learning and teaching styles should be considered when I design courses. I plan to develop strategies that improve student comprehension by reflecting on the strengths available to my learning and teaching styles.

I want to build courses from a constructivist approach so that the educational experience is an active process. I have learned that my innate teaching style is as a facilitator. I plan to focus on integrating this style when teaching psychology by facilitating student-centered discussions and activities. Designing group activities that promote active learning and student-to-student problem solving will improve student comprehension and memory recall of key concepts.

In addition, I have learned about the challenges that disabled students encounter when they take online courses. Whenever possible I plan to keep these students in mind. By adding audio and visual content for accessibility reasons, benefits can be extended to all students.

I am convinced that becoming certified in online teaching is going to enhance my online and face-to-face teaching skills. The current generation of students has been enmeshed in connective technology.

More than one-third of public university faculty have taught an online course while more than one-half have recommended an online course to students, according to an unprecedented study of administrative and faculty views toward online learning released today by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning. (http://www.sloan-c.org/publications/survey/pdf/staying_the_course.pdf)

Online teaching is no longer the future. It is the present.

Walther, J. B. (1996). Computer mediated communication: Impersonal, interpersonal, and hyperpersonal interaction. Communication Research, 23(1), 3-43.

Self Selected Blog About Wimba

I found Wimba interesting. I have been a student in classes that used Wimba but found during the class demonstration that it can be used in many new and innovative ways.

21st century students are growing up in a world where they are as comfortable texting and facebook posting as they are with face to face communication. Many students start college later in life, stay in school longer and juggle work and school commitments. The tools are available to allow instructors to be more creative in the way they engage an increasingly diverse student population.

Having been exposed to Wimba classroom as a student, I found myself interested in how Wimba can be used to increase student engagement with teachers and other students. I wondered what practical or creative uses instructors found to remove geographic barriers to learning and enrich traditional classroom experiences.

A Day in the Life links to Dr. Gary O’Connell and how he enhances his classroom with Wimba Collaboration Suite.

http://www.wimba.com/assets/swfs/DIL/DayintheLife-HE.html

Wimba can be used to archive lectures. While especially appropriate for an auditory learning style, archived lectures benefit all learners. Students like to be able to review lectures and “rewind their instructors.” Lectures can be archived MP4 files that students can access on computers, ipods or MP players.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_3JYflilHI

During the demonstration Professor Engle mentioned using the doorbell feature for office hours which led me to consider if there are other ways to bring services to students via Wimba.

Some schools are using Wimba Pronto to offer school services. The Pronto application has been very successful for community colleges. Pronto gives immediate access to school services for commuting students. Providing easy access to services can be challenging for schools when the student body does not reside on campus.

Pronto is instant messaging that integrates with Wimba classroom. Students can check who is online and discuss class materials anytime, anywhere, and share applications with one another. Computer help, library services, tutoring, financial aid and advising can be set up and manned by university employees. Schools can provide students access to these services during hours that services are available on campus. Surveys have shown that most students that live on campus still prefer to use Wimba Pronto when given the choice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z39qYKDQAk&feature=related

As technology has increased, the needs and demands of students have changed. Technology has changed the role of students, educators and administrators in higher education.

Reflections From An Anxious Student

When I registered for my first class in the online teaching certification sequence I was excited. I have taken many online classes and found them both challenging and interesting.

The Online Teaching Certificate will take me one step closer toward my goal to teach Psychology in traditional and online classrooms. I hope this class will make me more marketable in the limited job market our economy is experiencing. I am attracted to teaching online for the same reasons I enjoy learning online. I find the medium both flexible and informative. I expect the time commitment and workload to be higher in online teaching, because I have found this to be the case as an online student. I think this class will prove to be invaluable to my goals because it combines the experience of online education from a students perspective, while learning the necessary skills of educating effectively in an online environment.

Then class began. Although I am still looking forward to the class, I became overwhelmed. I began to worry about my schedule and the amount of work required. I wondered if I could handle the demands of learning new computer skills. In addition, I was concerned if I could write a blog, when I have never read one. Late one night, nearing panic mode I asked myself why I went back to school.

That is when I knew I needed to get a grip. I know why I went back to school, and how fortunate I am to have this opportunity. I realized that I often feel overwhelmed when I look at the big picture. I am more successful when I take things one step at a time. It is daunting to worry about if I can accomplish everything required to succeed in this course. However, I do feel confident I can do what is required today.

I realize that I must stay organized and need to dedicate the appropriate amount of time to this course. But I know from past courses, that if I break the work into smaller chunks I will be less stressed. Basically, I need to stop being anxious, move forward and jump into the blog.

I checked out the tips for successful online learning. It suggests logging on to course every single day, and I can do that. It says to be polite and respectful. I always try to do that, but I will go over the netiquette information knowing that things can be misconstrued in an online environment. I browsed that Pedagogy and Learning links and find them helpful.

I notice in this course and in application of teaching online, there is a huge amount of resources available to students and educators. It seems that the amount of information available could be a blessing and a challenge simultaneously.

But there I go again trying to tackle too much at once and getting stressed. For today, all I have to do is finish some reading and my blog. I think I can do this.