Online Learning Newsletter, February 2013
Content
INTRODUCING THE NEW ONLINE LEARNING NEWSLETTER
Over the past year as the coordinator, I have come to the conclusion that we have to get creative to address the gaps in our knowledge about online learning. Because of our crazy schedules, we are challenged to find time to squeeze in just one more workshop or learning group. Yet, faculty express interest in MORE information about online pedagogical techniques, Blackboard usage, and effectively engaging students in online discussions. Several new initiatives this year will help you learn what you want, where and when you want to. This newsletter is the first part of that effort-- keeping you informed and up to date about the latest developments in online teaching and learning as well as learning about other faculty development initiatives. In this first issue you will find:
•
An article about building community in your course, so students become engaged and eager to learn A tutorial on discussion boards so you can quickly and easily start building community in your class Answers to a frequently asked question- What is best to use for my class- a discussion board, a blog or a wiki? An introduction to a new Khan Academy style "pencast" video lecture to
•
•
•
engage students
•
Updates from the Online Learning Subcommittee of the Curriculum Committee
I am eager to hear your feedback on this first issue and what items you would like to see for future issues. Please contact me with feedback, questions, and especially if you need any assistance with online learning in your course. Best, Andrew Wolf [email protected]
Discussion Boards: The Mechanics
Student to student interaction is an important component to active learning and the construction of knowledge. In an online course the central method of providing opportunities for rich student to student interaction has been the threaded discussion board.
Setting the stage for an online learning community
Earlier this year, I facilitated a faculty development workshop about strategies to reduce workload while teaching online. As I was designing the workshop, I realized that one of the strategies that I used was to build a strong well connected learning
If you have not used discussion boards in your online course, this tutorial starts with a basic introduction to how to use a discussion board, how to set one up in your course, and some tips on the mechanics of how to interact with students. Read more....
community. You see, there are three scenarios by which students can learn: independently via connection with the content, via connection with the teacher, or within a learning community with interconnections classmates. One option for online classes is to develop them as independent studies. Independent studies work well for some learners and some types of content. But most learners learning complex concepts learn best within a social context with meaningful interaction. A second option is to rely on the students relationships with me. But if students are relying primarily on their relationship with me, it will take me a lot of time. Read more about the pros and cons, The third option is the facilitate the creation of a rich learning community. With an online learning community, students interact with the content, the teacher, and each other. These rich interactions improve their learning experience, while decreasing my workload. Creating such a community takes careful planning, clear expectations, and ongoing guidance. But it starts with simple community when to use which tool, and watch a short video here.
Question and Answer
Q. What should I use to foster interaction with and between my students, a discussion board, a blog, or a wiki? A. It depends on your learning objectives! Do you want to foster a dialog, a group discussion, or group work?
building. Before we build an online learning community, the students need to get to know each other. So I start my online classes with a simple icebreaker like an exercise called seven-nouns. During the nouns. introductory week of my class, the students receive the following assignment: Read More...
Subcommittee News
During the January Faculty Meeting, the faculty approved the Online Learning Task Force as a permanent subcommittee of the curriculum committee The subgroup has formed task groups to work on the following: Blackboard Template Redesign Pilot Peer Review and QI program for online courses Technical support needs and resources for online learning Master planning of online course and program development
Pencast Videos:
Pencast videos, otherwise known as whiteboard videos, are videos in which you see a drawing or diagram being formed with associated narration. This is an example of a simple pencast video: Learn how and why to use these in your class here: Read More...
If you are interested in joining any of these task groups, please contact Andrew Wolf at [email protected]
forward to a friend Copyright © 2013 University of Rochester SON, All rights reserved. You're receiving this email because of your affil affiliation with the University of Rochester School of Nursing. Our mailing address is:
University of Rochester SON 255 Crittenden Blvd Rochester, New York 14642 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences
Over the past year as the coordinator, I have come to the conclusion that we have to get creative to address the gaps in our knowledge about online learning. Because of our crazy schedules, we are challenged to find time to squeeze in just one more workshop or learning group. Yet, faculty express interest in MORE information about online pedagogical techniques, Blackboard usage, and effectively engaging students in online discussions. Several new initiatives this year will help you learn what you want, where and when you want to. This newsletter is the first part of that effort-- keeping you informed and up to date about the latest developments in online teaching and learning as well as learning about other faculty development initiatives. In this first issue you will find:
•
An article about building community in your course, so students become engaged and eager to learn A tutorial on discussion boards so you can quickly and easily start building community in your class Answers to a frequently asked question- What is best to use for my class- a discussion board, a blog or a wiki? An introduction to a new Khan Academy style "pencast" video lecture to
•
•
•
engage students
•
Updates from the Online Learning Subcommittee of the Curriculum Committee
I am eager to hear your feedback on this first issue and what items you would like to see for future issues. Please contact me with feedback, questions, and especially if you need any assistance with online learning in your course. Best, Andrew Wolf [email protected]
Discussion Boards: The Mechanics
Student to student interaction is an important component to active learning and the construction of knowledge. In an online course the central method of providing opportunities for rich student to student interaction has been the threaded discussion board.
Setting the stage for an online learning community
Earlier this year, I facilitated a faculty development workshop about strategies to reduce workload while teaching online. As I was designing the workshop, I realized that one of the strategies that I used was to build a strong well connected learning
If you have not used discussion boards in your online course, this tutorial starts with a basic introduction to how to use a discussion board, how to set one up in your course, and some tips on the mechanics of how to interact with students. Read more....
community. You see, there are three scenarios by which students can learn: independently via connection with the content, via connection with the teacher, or within a learning community with interconnections classmates. One option for online classes is to develop them as independent studies. Independent studies work well for some learners and some types of content. But most learners learning complex concepts learn best within a social context with meaningful interaction. A second option is to rely on the students relationships with me. But if students are relying primarily on their relationship with me, it will take me a lot of time. Read more about the pros and cons, The third option is the facilitate the creation of a rich learning community. With an online learning community, students interact with the content, the teacher, and each other. These rich interactions improve their learning experience, while decreasing my workload. Creating such a community takes careful planning, clear expectations, and ongoing guidance. But it starts with simple community when to use which tool, and watch a short video here.
Question and Answer
Q. What should I use to foster interaction with and between my students, a discussion board, a blog, or a wiki? A. It depends on your learning objectives! Do you want to foster a dialog, a group discussion, or group work?
building. Before we build an online learning community, the students need to get to know each other. So I start my online classes with a simple icebreaker like an exercise called seven-nouns. During the nouns. introductory week of my class, the students receive the following assignment: Read More...
Subcommittee News
During the January Faculty Meeting, the faculty approved the Online Learning Task Force as a permanent subcommittee of the curriculum committee The subgroup has formed task groups to work on the following: Blackboard Template Redesign Pilot Peer Review and QI program for online courses Technical support needs and resources for online learning Master planning of online course and program development
Pencast Videos:
Pencast videos, otherwise known as whiteboard videos, are videos in which you see a drawing or diagram being formed with associated narration. This is an example of a simple pencast video: Learn how and why to use these in your class here: Read More...
If you are interested in joining any of these task groups, please contact Andrew Wolf at [email protected]
forward to a friend Copyright © 2013 University of Rochester SON, All rights reserved. You're receiving this email because of your affil affiliation with the University of Rochester School of Nursing. Our mailing address is:
University of Rochester SON 255 Crittenden Blvd Rochester, New York 14642 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences
