1. Aspects of Online Teaching
and Learning
Weeks 3 & 4
#4a & #4b
Kim Rhyne
2. A. The name and URL of your video
• Distance Learning Online: A New Media Presentation-
Some facts about distance learning. Class assignment.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZk-WdYHkoc&feature=related
3. B. A list of key elements
mentioned in the video
concerning e-learning.
4. Advantages of Distance Online
Learning
• Distance Online Learning means no more overcrowded lecture
halls, dozing during long lectures, and boring instruction.
• Instead, distance online learning is good for people with a difficult
schedule, lack of social skills, and can be done from the comfort of
your own home on your own time, little or no cost for
transportation, and no lecture halls.
5. Then & Now
• History of Online learning:
– Many > Few
– Quantity > Quality
o But now, technology brings us:
o Streaming lectures
o Video conferencing
o Virtual learning spaces
o Course management software
6. Course Management Software
• Course Management Software (CMS)
– Examples: WebCT & Blackboard, Desire2Learn, Moodle, and
ATutor
o The Purpose of a CMS:
o To have a successful online learning experience
o Cost-effectiveness
o Customizability
o Interactivity
o Speed
o All-in-One Environment
7. Top 5 Countdown Tips:
• How to survive in an online course:
– 5. Manage your time (there is no “weekend” in an online setting).
– 4. Download all course material well in advance (you do not
want to risk dealing with technology that might not be working).
– 3. Make friends in your class – utilize social networking.
– 2. You are being watched. Your professors know when you log
on, what you access, and how much you participate.
– 1. Even though the course is online – you will not use just one
medium. Be prepared to use email, phone, and sometimes face
to face encounters.
***Remember, the learning experience is electronic, but your
professor isn’t!***
9. My Reaction
• After I watched this video 2 or 3 times I had more respect for it. I
realized that it did have good content. I felt the author did a great
job of pointing out advantages to online learning and showing the
evolution of distance learning. The Top 5 countdown tips are great
tips and perfect advice for people who are considering online
courses.
10. D. How you might use some
of the ideas presented in the
video in your online
teaching.
11. • I think it is important to focus on the advantages of online learning
and use those to your advantage as an online teacher. There are
reasons people choose online courses – let those reasons help you as
a teacher.
• Utilize a Course Management System. I enjoy Edmodo, Moodle, and
Schoology.
• Share the Top 5 Tips with students.
12. E. Discuss two of the three articles in the
reading list and Chapters 8 and 9 in
Thormann and Zimmerman in the
context of the content of your video.
Article 1
13. At the Tipping Point: K-12 On Line Learning.
By: Susan Booth
• Online learning can now rival or even improve on traditional
classroom experiences.
• By 2019, about 50% of high school courses will be offered
online.
• A 47% increase (of students involved in online learning) since
2005-2006.
• The Online School for Girls: currently in pilot phase but will
eventually offer courses to girls around the world.
• Blended Courses: offers students the chance to get
comfortable with managing online learning, easier transition
to more online learning alternatives, emergency situations (flu
or weather), and an even greater integration of technology.
14. E. Discuss two of the three articles in the
reading list and Chapters 8 and 9 in
Thormann and Zimmerman in the
context of the content of your video.
Article 2
15. An overview of online education:
Attractiveness, benefits, challenges, concerns and
recommendations.
By: C. Li and B. Irby
• The article began with 5 things the author did to learn more
about online teaching:
– Consult with colleagues who were currently teaching online
courses
– Attend workshops regarding online education and establish a
network with those who are involved with online programs at
other universities
– Get technology training
– Conducted a brief survey (faculty & students) to understand their
online experience
– Did a Literature Review – for the foundation and the
background of understanding the need for online education.
o When discussing the shift towards online learning, the author
made note of research that has proven that classrooms are no
longer the only setting for education. I couldn’t agree more!
16. 4 Reasons for the Attractiveness of
Online Programs
1) Beneficial for those who have work of family constraints
2) Convenient for those who would have to travel
3) Choice of University
4) Broader perspective – communicate with other students from
around the globe.
17. Unique Characteristics of Online
Education and Its Technology
• Instructors have learned the significance of offering prompt
feedback on students’ assignments and questions
• Real time discussion – chat sessions and virtual classrooms
• The conversation can be saved as a text file to be posted or reviewed
later
18. Software Packages
4 Functions of software programs such as Blackboard and WEBCT:
1) Students can read or listen to a lecture repeatedly for
understanding
2) Online discussion board
3) Announcement and communication function; profs can
communicate with individuals or groups of students
4) Students submit homework as a file and it can be returned as a file
via email
19. Some Benefits of Online Education
• Benefits = Accessibility
• Benefits = serves students from various backgrounds and age
ranges
• Benefits = time-independent and place-independent learning
environment which makes it convenient and flexible for
different learners
• Benefits = Time
• Benefits = frequent and timely feedback
• Benefits = multi-media experience
• Benefits = fear of ftf (stereotypical concerns) is minimized
• Benefits = team building & group work for success; also
independent learning to build accountability
• Benefit = (usually) lower tuition
20. Some Challenges of Online Education
• Challenge = significant upfront planning and organization is a vital
challenge
• Challenge = Technology
• Challenge = expectations of online students
• Concerns = accuracy, complexity, and depth
• Concerns = student attendance and social needs
• Challenge = students must acquire a set of skills such as
writing, communication, time management, organization, and the
ability to work independently.
• Challenge = assessment and plagiarism
• Concerns = teachers' feelings, minority and lower-income students
and access to modern technology, and challenged learners who
require special accommodations.
21. Suggestions and Recommendations
• 4 stage model for incrementing online programs: awareness, faculty
support, faculty skills, and department effort
• Suggestion: develop good rapport with the curriculum designer &
other instructors teaching online courses, and technical support staff
• Suggestion: working relationships with students – communication
• Know that students learn differently and need to be encouraged to
participate (true no matter where the learning occurs)
• personalize the online experience
• Instructors should always be revising - making sure content is
updated...that is probably the only suggestions I would have for
some of my prior online classes.
• Important: Online programs can provide an education at the
learner’s own pace and learning style without the constraints of time
or place.
22. E. Discuss two of the three articles in the
reading list and Chapters 8 and 9 in
Thormann and Zimmerman in the
context of the content of your video.
Chapter 8
23. Chapter 8: Dealing with Dilemmas
– Possibility of resistance from parents, educators, students, and
administrators; all questions and concerns are valid and should be resolved.
– It is important to incorporate Plagiarism-Prevention Techniques such as
making sure students are aware, up front, of the academic-integrity rules by
placing them in the course guidelines and shaping assignments to avoid
plagiarism.
– I always wondered why articles were never posted for us. Now, I understand
after the explanation offered in the book about only providing the citation
since copyright laws only allow an article to be distributed once.
– I also found the whole issue of Intellectual property to be rather interesting.
I lean more towards it being the property of the instructor who created the
course!
– I would not want to do a canned course…the name even sounds restrictive!
– As the articles, video, and text have pointed out, there are dilemmas in
online learning. However, there are also advantages and we need to resolve
all concerns so we can focus on what makes online learning so appealing.
24. E. Discuss two of the three articles in the
reading list and Chapters 8 and 9 in
Thormann and Zimmerman in the
context of the content of your video.
Chapter 9
25. Chapter 9: Looking to, and at, the
Future; and Conclusions
• If you are passionate about technology and online learning then this
chapter makes you even more excited about the future. It shows how
online learning is inevitable and quickly becoming the education of
choice.
• Online learning and the different methods involved (evolution of
technology, gaming, home schooling, globalization, and m-learning)
show how this type of learning appeals to every learner and can
reach every learning style.
• As the slogan of iTunes U tells us:
*** “Learn anything, anytime, anywhere.” ***
26. References
• Booth, S. (2009). At the Tipping Point: K-12 On Line Learning. Independent School,
69(2), 20-22. Retrieved from
http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxyles.flo.org/ehost/detail?sid=d55a3c17-53c5-
4c1586ae1498226de2e2%40sessionmgr112&vid=6&bk=1&hid=122&bdata=JnNpdG
U9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=47249371&anchor=AN0047249371-3
• Gunadie, A. [andrewgunadie]. (2008, April 19). Distance Learning Online! Video
file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZk-
WdYHkoc&feature=related
• Li, C., & Irby, B. (2008). An overview of online education: Attractiveness, benefits,
challenges, concerns and recommendations. College Student Journal, 42(2), 449-
458. Retrieved from
http://ezproxyles.flo.org/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/23650772
1?accountid=12060
• Thormann, J. & Zimmerman, I. (2012). The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to
Designing and Teaching Online Courses. New York: Teachers College Press at
Columbia University.
