Friday, October 9, 2015
Online Parameters
It has been interesting in working through much of the reading/resources to learn about the different kinds of parameters online instructors need to deliberately set. I think that many educators do this naturally in the classroom, but all the resources speak to the great intentionality required in cultivating an online learning environment. For example, I hadn't thought about what it looks like to set clear expectations for when/how you will be available. While the guidelines that the resources suggested all make a lot of sense, it was something I hadn't thought about prior to my reading. I also noticed the great attention to patterns - being available at the same time, having your modules posted in the same way, etc - as a way to help your students succeed. Again, this makes sense, but wasn't something I would have intuitively done.
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Jeannette, I like what you said about cultivating a learning environment. It made me think about a f2f class. I have found that after the first meeting, students seem to find their physical place in the classroom and tend to sit in the same seat every time. Why is that? In the same way, I think that students want some sort of familiarity in an online course, and I think that arranging what students see has a lot to do with how they perceive the course. If they see the same organization and structure and know where they will find what they need whenever they log on, they may get sort of the same comfort they get from sitting in the same seat in class each time.
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanette,
ReplyDeleteYour blog entry is definitely intriguing especially for cultivating a learning environment. My feelings concerning setting clear expectations online are very similar. As instructors, we are trained and learn to arrange this in the classroom. I didn't realize the strategic planning it would take to create an online course before I read the resources provided and viewed the sample blogs. It all has to be in a logical order and appeal to a diverse community. Also, you and Trollgeek make a great point about patterns. It seems as humans, we attempt to have structures and routines especially when accountability is involved. I noticed that the professor for the sample blogs offers these procedures seamlessly to their students.
Students may navigate the website easier as they master a routine.
Hi Jeanette,
ReplyDeleteYour blog entry is definitely intriguing especially for cultivating a learning environment. My feelings concerning setting clear expectations online are very similar. As instructors, we are trained and learn to arrange this in the classroom. I didn't realize the strategic planning it would take to create an online course before I read the resources provided and viewed the sample blogs. It all has to be in a logical order and appeal to a diverse community. Also, you and Trollgeek make a great point about patterns. It seems as humans, we attempt to have structures and routines especially when accountability is involved. I noticed that the professor for the sample blogs offers these procedures seamlessly to their students.
Students may navigate the website easier as they master a routine.
Predictability is great. But, we know that stuff happens that prevent us from getting to the same place at the same time every time. How do we maintain continuity amidst this? Any suggestions?
ReplyDelete