1. Alison Parker
10/20/13, 8842 Principles of Distance Education
Task: Create a tool to display strategies and technological tools by instructors for creating an open,
supportive, and respectful learning environment where active engagement is alive and well in Distance
Education
Tools:
Collaborative
Technologies
Communication
Technologies
Content Technologies
Static
Static
Static
Email
Text Messages
Online Journal Articles
Blog
Facebook/Twitter
E-books
Discussion Boards
Email
Podcasts
Dynamic
Dynamic
Dynamic
Google Docs
Teleconferencing
www.youtube.com
Blogs
Skype
www.voicethread.com
Wiki's
Video-conferencing
DropBox
Instructor Strategies:
•
Create a detailed syllabus: It should contain the course objectives. It should contain due dates
for assignments, discussion posts, and rubrics as well as your contact information
•
Be present and Active as a Lecturer/Instructor/Professor: Provide answers to questions about
the content & assignments in a timely manner (via email, chat room, discussion board area).
Check in the discussion board area to monitor, explain, clarify, probe, and encourage critical
thinking skills
•
Model Instructor expectations: Be consistent in what the syllabus states: be present,
communicative, and respectful on a regular basis. Provide specific and timely feedback on
assignments so students can know what needs to be fixed, improved upon in the future.
References
Anderson, T. (Ed.). (2008). The theory and practice of online learning (2nd ed.). Edmonton, AB: Athabasca University Press.
Durrington, V. A., Berryhill, A., & Swafford, J. (2006). Strategies for enhancing student interactivity in an online
environment. College Teaching, 54(1), 190−193.