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Drinda Williams

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.
  • ...22 more annotations...
  • 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.
Drinda Williams

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.
Erica Larson

The Theory Underlying Concept Maps and How to Construct and Use Them[1] - 1 views

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    Joseph D. Novak & Alberto J. Cañas Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition Pensacola Fl, 32502 www.ihmc.us Technical Report IHMC CmapTools 2006-01 Rev 2008-01 (click here for a printable PDF version: small filesize (998K) or high quality 6.6MB)) Introduction Concept maps are graphical tools for organizing and representing knowledge. They include concepts, usually enclosed in circles or boxes of some type, and relationships between concepts indicated by a connecting line linking two concepts. Words on the line, referred to as linking words or linking phrases, specify the relationship between the two concepts. We define concept as a perceived regularity in events or objects, or records of events or objects, designated by a label. The label for most concepts is a word, although sometimes we use symbols such as + or %, and sometimes more than one word is used. Propositions are statements about some object or event in the universe, either naturally occurring or constructed. Propositions contain two or more concepts connected using linking words or phrases to form a meaningful statement. Sometimes these are called semantic units, or units of meaning. Figure 1 shows an example of a concept map that describes the structure of concept maps and illustrates the above characteristics.
Eldon Bird

Dropbox - Online backup, file sync, and sharing made easy. - 3 views

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    Free online file storage to share with multiple computers and colleagues.
Kelsey Bova

Clickers - 2 views

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    We use CPS Clickers within our classrooms for quizzes, tests, reviews, etc. The kids absolutely love using these and there are so many different ways to use clickers! You can play Jeopardy and other types of games with clickers. There's a little more prep time upfront, but very well worth it!
Valerie Jergens

Oovoo - 1 views

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    Skype gets a lot of attention but some schools that I work with are using Oovoo instead. They think it gives a smoother transfer with less camera jumps.
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    Valerie, I would be a willing Oovoo partner. I will download it now and seek a connection with you next week. Erica
Erica Larson

JING - 0 views

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    I linked this JING website to complete my assignment and showcase the tool I used in my Independent Project. Erica
Erica Larson

Teachers' Domain - 0 views

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    I linked the Teachers' Domain website as this is the source for the PBS TeacherLine online science courses I facilitate. PLUS it has a wealth of free resources AND you can set up collaborative groups and folders. Erica
Erica Larson

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?
    • Erica Larson
       
      Drinda, I have made both PowerPoints and Prezi's for different purposes and different audiences depending on my purpose. Any good presentation takes time but I have had positive reviews on my well designed Prezi's. So I felt it was "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?
    • Jeny Schoenhard
       
      This is all so interesting! I am looking forward to exploring the use of a Prezi, as I am feeling a bit tired of power points.
    • Erica Larson
       
      Drinda, you make an excellent point about the linear paths ~ you have motivated me to experiment with creating and using a Prezi without a preset path. This will stretch me to use it as a teaching tool rather than just another linear presentation tool.
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    I have used Prezi some and I really like it. It is taking more time now than Power Point but I think the more I use it I will spend less time correcting my mistakes!! I like that a Prezi forces me to think in terms of the "Big Ideas" and then how to support those ideas.
Erica Larson

Science Distance Learning & Education - NSTA Position Statements - 0 views

  • E-Learning can and should significantly enhance science teaching and learning.
    • Erica Larson
       
      I was not aware that NSTA had taken this position. This could be useful as we design online courses.
  • ut considers the following experiences to be within the scope of e-Learning: traditional classroom instruction that incorporates the planned and effective use of collaborative and/or interactive digital tools and resources, blended learning experiences that incorporate various combinations of technology-mediated and traditional classroom instruction, and distance delivered courses or programs.
  • the following elements key to effective, high-quality e-Learning experiences for teachers and students
    • Erica Larson
       
      I would like to hear your thoughts on these critical elements.. I am intriqued by bullet #3.
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  • When designed properly, online courses and programs for teacher education and professional
  • development have the ability to provide high-quality opportunities for science educators to learn content and pedagogy.
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    I am sharing a position paper from the National Science Teachers Association about the role of e-learning in science. Feel free to post comments. Erica
Kelsey Bova

Prezi - 1 views

shared by Kelsey Bova on 11 Feb 11 - Cached
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    This is a great presentation website that you can use for free if you are an educator. I have used this in my classroom and the kids love it! I just give them my username and password so they are able to use it freely.
Jason Martin-Hiner

Keeping up with tech trends around the US and the world - 0 views

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    Check out this site to get a glimpse into what is happening around the US and the world regarding tech. Thanks to Deb Henkes here in AEA 1 for showing me this site first.
Jason Martin-Hiner

Skitch - another option for screen capture - 0 views

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    Here is another option for quick screen captures....a must for online courses.
Steve Van Gundy

Wolfram Alpha: Computational Knowledge Engine - 2 views

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    Try this when Google and Wikipedia aren't getting you what you need.
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    Steve - This is one of my favorite sites!! The more I explore it I realize it is not just for math junkies but has benefits for all teachers. They have some great videos of elementary teachers using it.
Sue Runyon

Technology news for today's educator - 1 views

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    This site had some great info on 1to1 schools.
Martha Condon

You Tube videos for using Google Docs - 0 views

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    These videos are linked directly from the Google Apps website and consist of tutorials on how to make the most of Google Docs.
Martha Condon

Join Me: Screensharing and Conferencing - 1 views

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    This site allows you to screenshare and audio conference with multiple people for free!
Jeny Schoenhard

Write On 2011 - 0 views

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    Fantastic Use of Wiki for Writing Projects ~ This wiki has already begun, however some of my fellow teachers and I were thinking that it would be fun to start another one for an inbuilding project.
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