http://www.techlearning.com/article/1912
Resource Sharing Activity #3
Online Learning Communities
Tech & Learning: (Article)
Building a Learning Community
Chris Waters, February 1, 2004
I believe that this article relates well to our reading on “Building a Learning Community.” The article begins by emphasizing the importance of instructor/student and student/student relationships. Instructors have to get to know their students!
Through introductions and interest, instructor and participants get to know each other. This is one of the factors or element to gain a successful online class. The instructor has to pay attention to his or her role. An online class cannot be successful if students are not logging in or participating. Understanding students’ needs is also important. Instructor needs to be flexible when it comes to the various learning styles that participants will possess. In order for an online course to be effective, communication is very important between participant and instructor.
The class must also have a clear focus. What is it that the student wants to learn or get from the class? It is necessary that an online class or community create connections with one another so that the course can be effective.
Instructors need to use various versions of traditional teaching and nontraditional teaching. (Much like what we do in our classrooms) The instructor guides the class concerning content, but acknowledges that because he/she is the expert, knowledge has to be shared. Through online class, participants are given guidelines or structures to follow so that success is achievable.
Wow, it is amazing how the article tied into our reading.
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I enjoyed this article a great deal. I agree that getting feedback from the instructor is helpful, especially in the beginning when you are still feeling your way around this new online universe with a different set of rules then other online worlds you may have navigated. I also found myself thinking of rubrics, and how they are and are not useful. I have encouraged my team of teachers to create mastery rubrics where they focus on what they require students to know and be able to do to achieve mastery. If a student misses the mark, s/he is expected to redo and refine until mastery is achieved. It is not a one-shot deal.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you enjoyed this article.
ReplyDeleteHi Cassandra, I agree with you and Jeanne that this topic is extremely relevant. We are a new Cohort and this is our first course. The readings, discussions and articles are right on point. The teacher's role online is very important and requires flexibility. As Jeanne mentioned, feedback from the teacher is helpful when you are still trying to feel your way. However, participants must log in and maintain their social presence. I have learned that personally! Nothing is worse than feeling disconnected from the collective...like the borg in Star Trek. LOL Excellent article and summary.
ReplyDeleteHi Ms. Williams, You are right, being a new cohort and online at that has its' challenges, but connecting with each other through discussions, blogs and chat is extremely important. Like the article, participants have to log in to be successful in the course. I had to develop some sort of patteren for myself so that I could stay on top of things. I am glad that you enjoyed thew article.
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