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Contents contributed and discussions participated by Drinda Williams

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How Students Develop Online Learning Skills (EDUCAUSE Quarterly) | EDUCAUSE - 1 views

  • How Students Develop Online Learning SkillsHow Students Develop Online Learning SkillsGood IdeasHow Students Develop Online Learning SkillsSuccessful online students share their secrets for getting the most from online classes, focusing on time management, active participation, and practiceBy Alan R. RoperMore and more, adult learners are finding the convenience and flexibility of online learning a match for their learning goals and busy lifestyles. Online degree programs, courses, and virtual universities targeting adult learners have proliferated in the past decade. Although students can easily locate an online course or degree program that's both convenient and accessible, they may face significant challenges in developing a new set of skills for this type of instruction.Educators have speculated on the development of student skills necessary to succeed in online learning, but relatively few publications cover the topic from the perspective of successful online students. I developed the study summarized here to provide this perspective and to identify useful strategies that instructors can promote in their online courses.MethodologyThe study began with the development of a set of questions that emerged from a group of online course designers, faculty, and administrators I consulted for ideas. The question set was reviewed and edited by a larger group of faculty and administrators, and an online survey instrument was developed.Participants for this study were selected from a list of graduates who had earned their degrees by taking 80 percent or more of their courses exclusively online. Students achieving a 3.50 cumulative grade point average or better were invited to participate in the study. Of the 93 students invited to participate, 59 did so. Survey answers were open-ended, allowing respondents to describe online learning techniques they found useful and to tell the stories of their experiences as online students.1Successful Online Students Identify Seven TipsStudents responding to the survey agreed on a number of practical steps that helped them succeed in their online courses:1. Develop a time-managemen
  • Setting and staying to specific study days was one factor that worked for me
  • specific times to read, complete written assignments, and post dialogue to other students proved helpful.
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  • I found that doing a little bit here and there avoided trying to do too much all at once.
  • logging in to their course portal every day and checking for new postings or updates helped prevent them from falling behind
  • . Other students (36.8 percent) commented that weekly assignments from the instructor kept them on a regular schedule in the course
  • online discussions
  • As much as possible, I would post a response, question, or comment to another student's posting. This built up an online relationship
  • don't always interact with the same few classmates. Look for something to say with various students
  • ake sure you have something meaningful to add
  • "Weekly discussions were best when the teacher encouraged it, especially by having pro versus con discussion, or asking 'why' or 'how' questions
  • Instructors who establish clear expectations as to how threaded discussions are used or who ask specific questions in response to student postings can expect to encourage richer online dialogue.
  • finding a way to apply the concepts helped them retain the information.
  • One way to apply these concepts goes back to the use of the online threaded discussion. Concepts can be interpreted and restated in each student's own words in an active dialogue with others
  • evelop
  • ing a way to apply those concepts to a current or past experience
  • asking questions is integral to learning. By asking questions, fellow students and instructors would go deeper into the subject. Going deeper made the subject matter more understandable
  • Students also can take the time to craft questions that may go beyond what they would ask in an in-person course, probing the subject with greater specificity.
  • keeping your eye on the prize" is always helpful. Another student commented, "The main motivator was envisioning myself in cap and gown,
  • getting a good grade (21 percent) and in setting personal goals
  • work with other online students
  • "I liked instructors who logged in often and asked a lot of questions. Not only did this help to increase understanding of the subject, but it gave people the opportunity for class participation.
  • He posted the initial question for discussion, and then asked us individual questions based on our answers.
  • One student mentioned that making a friend (connected with online) helped. Being part of a community of learners is helpful in courses that are taught in-person, and the same holds true for online classes (15.8 percent). One student explained that "it made a huge difference when you had good students in the class.
  • Students in the online class may get to know one another more from recognizing the writing style and expression of thoughts and ideas rather than by physical attributes. Many students develop meaningful connections with their online classmates that can translate into career networking opportunities later.
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New English File Elementary Cloze Generator - 1 views

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    Do this cloze activity to see how well you understand the difference between a Read-aloud and a Think-aloud.
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21 Things That Will Become Obsolete in Education by 2020 - THE DAILY RIFF - Be Smarter.... - 5 views

  • And this will be done 24/7 and on the move
    • Drinda Williams
       
      I'm not sure I buy this. The decision makers (school boards) are a long way from this leap.
  • Organization of Educational Services by Grade
    • Drinda Williams
       
      This had made sense for a long time...hard to change an institution. I would love to see this happening.
  • This is already happening.
    • Drinda Williams
       
      This is happening some places. It usually takes a district large enough to have PD specialists and / or a smaller district with the right kind of administration. It makes the Moodle option even more relevant.
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Stun the audience by using Prezi instead of PowerPoint for your presentations | Tips 'n... - 3 views

shared by Erica Larson on 20 Jan 11 - Cached
Sue Runyon liked it
  • believe me when I say creating a Prezi will take longer than creating a PowerPoint presentation
    • Drinda Williams
       
      This concerns me a bit. I spend a LOT of time working on making good PowerPoints. Will the additional time needed to do a Prezi be worth it?
  • So, yes, if the whole world started using Prezi, Prezi presentations wouldn't be all that amazing. However, the whole world isn't using Prezi now are they? Only you are (hopefully)
    • Drinda Williams
       
      So are we merely talking about novelty here? According to the Prezi sight it's about thinking more wholistically rather than linearly. But if the presentation still goes along a path, what's so different?
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online1: Iowa Online Course Standards - 10 views

  • Proposed Online Course Standards
    • Drinda Williams
       
      Evan, are these the standards that will be used to vet proposed courses for the statewide moodle through Heartland? At AEA 267 we were discussing how course proposals would be evaluated and approved.
  • STUDENT ASSESSMENT
    • Drinda Williams
       
      This is one that I'm finding somewhat challenging. If I am asking teachers to implement, how do I provide sufficient feedback? Reading a lesson plan is not the same as seeing them implement. I'm wondering if AEA consultants around the state might cooperate in some observations.
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online1: Iowa Online Teaching Standards - 43 views

shared by r kleinow on 05 Sep 10 - Cached
  • Demonstrates ethical conduct as defined by state law and local policies or procedures
    • Drinda Williams
       
      This needs to be a constant conversation. We recently debated for several days the difference between sharing something online in a webinar, and posting something online. What permissions did we have? Did the originator actually understand what permission we were seeking? What precedent would be set?
  • Applies research, knowledge, and skills from professional growth to improve practice
    • Drinda Williams
       
      Part of this becomes bringing along your students, clients, and participants. Sometimes taking a risk with something online does not go as well as you'd like. Have you let them know what to expect? Have you asked them for feedback to improve your skills? It's not just about the teacher trying new things, it's about teachers and students as a community trying new things.
  • Has knowledge of learning theory appropriate to online learning,
    • Drinda Williams
       
      This is where I feel I am floundering. I am so glad to have OLLIE to begin developing these skills.
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