Distant education has grown immensely in the past years. According to our article it can be as effective as traditional instruction when the technologies are appropriate for the instructional tasks (Durrington, Berryhill, & Swafford). Online instruction can provide opportunities for students to build interactive relationships. Communication tools such as email, Skype, and the discussion board provide a place for students to interact and provide feedback. The article states that the instructor should provide an open, supportive, and respectful online environment (Druuington, Berryhill, & Swafford). In an Asynchronous discussion board guidelines must be established. A timeline for when the postings are due and how many postings are expected are needed guidelines. Skype may not be available to all students, and the time zone may be an issue. Email is a tool that can be used to communicate privately to students. Collaboration tools are used for small groups to work on projects together, instead of the whole class. Blogs, Wikis, and virtual classrooms are places where students can post projects and comment on them. Virtual classrooms such as second life allow students to interact in a 3D environment through avatars. Students can socialize and participate in individual and group activities. Wikis are used collaboratively among a small group to post and edit information. Students can have their own page and choose who can edit the pages. Blogs are a part of a website that is individually maintained. Videos and other media can be uploaded to the site. Others can follow or comment on the postings.
Durrington, V., Berryhill, A., & Swafford, J. (2006). Stategies for enhancing student interactivity in an online environment. College Teaching. vol 54/No. 1.
Durrington, V., Berryhill, A., & Swafford, J. (2006). Stategies for enhancing student interactivity in an online environment. College Teaching. vol 54/No. 1.
Tracy
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteI agree with the tools you have chosen that help engage the learner. I agree that technology is advancing so quickly there are constantly new tools that help engage students of all ages. I love the avatar tool you discuss that would be great to use in a primary education classroom!!
I also agree that distance learning have made tremendous steps over the years. Distant learning is very flexible. At the same time, distant learning requires more of the student. As a student, you are responsible for ensuring that you schedule the necessary time away from other activities in order to complete your coursework and assignments. You can complete most of the classes at your convenience. Most of the classes are asynchronous, which means you don’t have to attend a lecture at a particular time and place. Other tools that you could benefit from in an online setting are blogs, wikis, email and skype.
ReplyDeleteRachel and Keith,
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about the virtual communtiy. Do you think it would be helpful or too distracting to collaborate there. I think it would be fun, but I wonder if it would be too fun and distracting from the assigned work. Yes Keith, students in distant learning must be responsible and ensure that they allow adequate time to complete their assignments and postings. One very important thing is not to procrastinate. That can be a problem.
Tracy