Session 6 - Effective Instructional Methods for e-Learning

Q: What student characteristics/attributes (e.g. attitude factors, distance experiences, prior knowledge, learning styles) of the distant learners do you think you may encounter? Discuss why these characteristics are important. Discuss what you need to do address them.

-Classroom Culture: According to Palloff and Pratt (1999) devoted much of their scholarship to developing “learning communities”. All participants are responsible for making this part of the distance learning experience. Without this component researchers found the success rate is higher with more social interactions.

-Etiquette: This was interesting to find as a factor in its own right. A really important part of the equation is having the rules of engagement identified early on. It is helpful to discuss the course expectations with all participants would be aware of the expectations of the instructor and other classmates.

-Experience Issues: I would prefer that participants have a pre-survey to find out their experience level with the course they are attending. I could see some issues coming up if a majority of the class has prior knowledge of a topic, while others were complete novices. There are benefits gained in pre-determining where students are out.

Q: How would you establish classroom management rules (e.g. Environmental design, Rules & routines, Discipline, Keeping the students on track, and Developing Rapport) to help students achieve learning objectives while facilitating a learner-centered approach?

-Classroom management rules would be very important to me they are set at the beginning of the class. Plans similar to how our course was kicked-off are helpful to have the discussions up front to level the playing field for all.

Q: List one specific learning objective you want to include in your online course and describe how you would design your class activities using one or multiple instructional strategies (e.g. problem centered learning, simulation, decision-making panels, class discussion, case studies, group discussion, tutorial, written exercises, reading, instructional gaming, exploration) to help your students meet the learning objective?

-The problem centered learning option is a good learning tool to use. It helps the student to conceptualize the cause and effect and provides concrete learning outcomes when problems can be analyzed and solutions found.

-Group discussions are helpful when the online learning environment is synchronous. Otherwise, the timing would be a little off for verbal communication.

-The use of blogging is a good tool for shared learning, however, I would use an alternate method of discussion forums’ to compliment the dialogue.

Addendum: 5/14/2010 Quiz question/feedback
After taking the Learning styles quiz, Multiple Intelligence Quiz, I had a high rating (94%) in the Visual/Spatial category. This does reflect what I have experienced in learning where it works best for me to do, vs. just reading and comprehending a subject.

Next were Interpersonal (78%), Bodily/Kinesthetic (75%), and Logical Mathematical (75%). I do have a good sense of understanding the motivations of others as described by the interpersonal category. While I am tactile and scored fairly high in the bodily/kinesthetic category. This is interpreted as using all or part of your body to create products or solve problems.

Taking the test was interesting and would be helpful to know early on in your academic career. The scores received help me to understand why this primarily online course is a bit of a struggle for me this quarter. I would thrive a bit more with a set time of interaction vs. reading and interpreting information into knowledge.