The 10 Best Things about EDUC 251 without link (#portfolio10) - 8 views
started by ann stephens on 15 Mar 11
started by ann stephens on 15 Mar 11
started by ann stephens on 15 Mar 11
started by ann stephens on 15 Mar 11
1. Judith's Boettcher's - The Online Teaching Survival Guide - is a good organization and explanation of eLearning.
2. Wiggins Model of Understanding - enduring understanding, important to know, worth being familiar with - is a good framework for helping properly focus the course.
3. The jing tool has become my new "snip" tool. Being able to capture and make a screen video is extremely useful.
4. Providing additional time in the first lesson - in this case 2 weeks, rather than 1 - to allow students a transition to the platform and tools is a best practice for me for on-line courses.
5. The weekly instructor availability during class hours is another best practice, as students know there is a time they can get information and questions answered in an interactive manner.
6. Another communication 'best practice' for me was the weekly update emails and the personalized note in the on-going grading.
7. The course lessons were laid out in an easy-to-follow manner. Having a new one each week, was a good way to pace the students and keep us focused. The only instance this did not work well for me, was in regards to the final project. My understanding the 'course framework' project was not clear to me for a while.
8. This course is the second in a three course series for a eLearning certificate. Its emphasis on pedagogy and how to develop an on-line course was exactly needed and has been great. I'd suggest adding a 'series envelope' defining the learning goals of each course. Additionally, as makes sense, add content. For example, the next course in the series is assessment, so the introduction we received in this course was good. Another example is in the previous course on tools jing in addition to snip could have been introduced.
9. The diigo forum and getting to know my fellow elearners. The way diigo allows for email updates and postings, enhanced communication. Some of the other students had been in my previous class, where we used the Vista and I didn't feel the conversations were as in-depth. Diigo allowed for easy communication and to form a 'bond' with my fellow eLearners. (I would get a daily email, read the updates, and then click on what I wanted to respond to.)
10. And, of course, the instructor - Jennifer. In addition to clear and outstanding logistics - such as responding to emails, groups posts, assignments quickly - she imparted a passion and excitement for the material by the depth of her comments and openness to feedback.