1. Online course content
Main issues
Building an online community;
Learner training and readiness;
Always state clear objectives;
Chunking your content into smaller pieces;
Providing a print version of the web page, provide PowerPoint presentations for
students to download;
 Optimizing graphics so they can load as quickly as possible;
 Good structure (e.g. clear and user-friendly visual design) and navigation;
 Committing to a system of feedback;
 Opportunities for interaction through leaner activities;
 Repetition (important idea);
 Synthesis (important ideas+ learning objectives) ;
 Stimulation-hold learner attention;
 Variety (technical tools and tasks to engage learners) ;
 Open-ended;
 Continuous evaluation;
(Reference:
https://www.alt.ac.uk/sites/default/files/assets_editor_uploads/documents/eln064.pdf)
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Challenges
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Finding the right balance between collaborative and individual work;
Directing learners to available resources Vs creating something new;
Balancing activities and task types to maintain interest;
Engaging learners with different learning styles and preferences;
Dealing with student needs/building a rapport;
Technical back-up;
Online tasks type
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Synchronous (e.g. chatroom, Blackboard collaborate)
Asynchronous (e.g discussion boards, padlet, video clips, slide presentations)
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2. Possible uses of online task type
Forum
discussion
Strengths
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•
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Wiki
Weaknesses
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Time (enough time
to think)
Sense of community
Starting
a
new
thread
Strengths
•
Time
(wait
contributions)
Correction
needed)
Task ideas
• Voting
for
• Giving
advice
opinions
(if
• Reacting to text
• Reacting to a
video
Weaknesses
Task ideas
•
Collaborative
•
Can be deleted
•
Story
•
Learn
•
Unequal
•
Translation
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Negotiating rules
Managing
skills
•
Work
participation
in
a
team
(anyone can
their share)
Journal
add
Strengths
same time
Weaknesses
•
Individual care
•
Assignment
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Can’t use it at the
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Task ideas
Giving feedback
Weaknesses
can
be
Advice,
Task ideas
to
be
evaluated
individually
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Individual work
Essay
Research
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considered
“serious”
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opinion
on anything that
is too personal to
be shared by
everyone
Strengths
•
Time consuming
revision

3. Chat
Strengths
Weaknesses
Task ideas
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Talk to natives
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Hard to monitor
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Interviews
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Live
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Technical difficulties
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Chatbots
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Work together with
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Finding the time
homework)
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Discussion
•
the teacher
Individual
feedback
•
debate
(Reference:
http://projects.ael.unituebingen.de/iceurope/moodle/file.php/46/Phase_4_Task_types_Workshop_2.doc)
Instruction Design tips for online learning (from Joan van Duzer,
Humboldt State University)
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Category 1: learner support and resources
Category 2: online organization and design
Category 3: instructional design and delivery
Category 4: assessment & evaluation of student learning
Category 5: appropriate & effective use of technology
Category 6: faculty use of student feedback
Learner support & resources: examples
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Quiz to self assess readiness to be an online student
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Tutorials on how to use tools
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Netiquette guidelines
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Links to websites with supporting info relevant to course content
Online organization and design: examples
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course content organized in logical format
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links accurate and up to date
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course schedule available in printer friendly format
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resources divided into required and optional
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easy to read typeface
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consistent layout
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clear directions for each task
Instructional design and delivery: examples
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ice breaker activities
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(as

4. ·
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instructor introduces self to model student introductions task
expectations made clear
provide summary to reinforce learning
variety of activities to address different learning styles
collaborative exercises
Assessment & evaluation: examples
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prerequisites defined
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plagiarism
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criteria for evaluation of participation
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rich and rapid feedback
Innovative teaching technology: examples
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appropriate tools e.g. discussion boards, chats, teleconferencing
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try new methods of delivery
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multimedia e.g. audio clips, graphics, powerpoint presentations
Faculty use of student feedback: examples
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end of course evaluation survey
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student feedback
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modify course or elements
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