Online Learning

Administrative Issues

Social Interaction

most severe

no correlation between
increasing social interacton
and improved education

Communication

use blogs, email, Facebook
vs phone for written records

compensate for lack of face to face contact:
Facebook groups, "Introduce Yourself" topics

Academic Skills

Technical Skills

Learner Motivation

Time/Support for Studies

allow extra time for online work

don't reinvent the wheel/
use existing resources

Internet Costs/Access

Technical Problems

use generic instructions in virtual classrooms

Synchronous

live instruction

television

audio-visual teleconferencing

some traditional classroom approaches

small/large group discussion

hands-on activities

Asynchronous

no face to face instruction

correspondence program

web-based

Students

more confident writing/
speaking from home

younger students
more tech savvy

speed of learning higher via
voice/text chat - students engaged

interaction may be superficial

Instructors

more timely feedback via chat

some feedback may be delayed
to do technical issues/faculty members

Strengths

supports variety of learning styles

online group projects gives ability
to work together outside of class

forums pre/post classroom tool

encourages active learning

encourages student/instructor contact

Weaknesses

instructors may not be familiar
with best practices for online teaching

access issues mixing new tech with old tech

weak interface design

Types

Learner-Learner

Learner-Instructor

Learner-content

Importance

amount of interaction with instructor
and other students consisten/reliable
predictor of positive learning outcomes

Motivation significant factor

support structure in place

good rapport with learners

provide timely feedback

required student participation
motivates students to stay on task

Ways to Increase

learners become comfortable
with course/instructor

clear course goals/
student expectations

post announcements to keep
learners current with changes

opportunities for students
to process/reflect upon information
before commenting

online video conferencing at beginning
of course - introductions

create climate promoting professional
learner and collaboration - SAFE!

Affects/Benefits

High order thinking skills

students who succeed do so because
they are active participants

critical thinking skills

Increased Demand for
Online Learning

saves money on travel/accommodations

lower education costs

removes geographical
barriers

more learning opportunities
available (subjects/experts)

New Technologies

user friendly tech easily
embedded in online
environment

interest in adding new tech
by online teachers

I-pads/tablets

easy to use

supports wide variety
of learning styles

assignment variety/collaboration possible

teacher can monitor student
progress/assessing

feedback easier

Mobile Devices

move away from banning
smart phones/Ipods

cost-effective tools
provided by students

similar advantages
to tablets

more educational content
(apps) being developed

predicted explosion of classroom
incorporation next 2-3 years

Tech-based student
progress monitoring

Blackboard/Moodle/Edmodo
allow easier tracking of student
progress

teachers easily share
grades and evaluations

keep parents informed

accessible from anywhere
on variety of devices

Electronic, interactive textbooks

supplement traditional texts
w/ pics, video/audio clips,
interactive activities

ability to take notes/highlight
materials in documents

simulations

help students see cause/effect
how events relate to one another

hands on learning helps
grasp abstract/complex
concepts

environments not easily
simulated in real world

Web 2.0 social networking tools
increasing collaboration for online
students

Cloud Computing

easy homework collaboration

keeps students organized

wide range of educational
materials available

available anywhere
w/ internet connection

cheapers for schools
(less equipment needed)

educational gaming

93% students play
video games

portable devices allow
educational games anywhere

blogs/Twitter/Facebook
more popular

improve collaboration

allow shy students
to have a voice

privacy concerns but education
sites closely guarded - Safe
environment

Attitude Shift

people becoming more
comfortable with online
learning/tech

young people highest
positive attitude towards
tech - DIGITAL NATIVES

Global village perspective due to tech-
easier to break down geographic barriers

Training/Support for
Online Content
Development

improve online learning environments
with focused training on course
development for online environment

increase demand for higher quality content
and standards to meet needs of more tech
savvy users

Lifelong Learning

realization of its importance-
more people switching careers,
upgrading skills, etc

adult education
increasing globally

online learning good for those
with families, working