Application - Blog Assignment - Setting up an Online Experience

What is the significance of knowing the technology available to you?

    The significance of knowing the technology available is that it would help in the designing of any learning experience for students. However, we must not allow these tools to get the better of us but if we know a few technological skills, and could keep it simple at the beginning, we can increase our knowledge as time goes along. Some example of these skills are knowing about audio, blogs, wikis, course management systems, Turnitin and working on social networking sites like face book and My Space (Boettcher, & Conrad, 2010).

Why is it essential to communicate clear expectations to learners?

It is essential to communicate clear expectations to learners because this would make sure that the learners understand the given assignment which would save a lot of misconceptions and make the course smoother. By enabling this, a better learning environment would be achieved. (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010). This would also keep surprises to a minimum (Boettcher, 2010). Also using the right word-tone would help to communicate clear expectation to learners and asking relevant questions would help take learners to another level (Palloff & Pratt, 2011).

What additional considerations should the instructor take into account when setting up an online learning experience?

     The instruction when setting up an online learning experience should consider establishing social presence activities for both learners and staff which is like setting up the corner stone in a building, this helps to establish trust among those involved in the classroom. It includes Teaching and Cognitive Presence that involves preparing course materials for the class like the syllabus and materials for the discussions groups and showing all round presence in the class especially in the beginning of a course where the instructor is most needed. The instructor also needs to establish community by building knowledge and competencies within learners, seeing that there is common respect for each other, and that learners share their thoughts and views with each other. There is also need for patience with students and oneself during this process (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010). In addition to this, the instructor needs to set up the class giving himself ample time to do so setting up the syllabus, preparing weekly teaching guides like audio and short text, assembling discussion groups and making preparation for the discussions as this is the primary place for student postings, learning how to use of blogs, and creating rubrics. In addition to this setting up the Course Site is important, making a list of things that need to be done, reviewing the course’s performance goals and reviewing and selecting textbooks are other activities (pp. 51-66).Looking at these aspects and others would give the learners and instructors the tools and support they need to complete an online course.

A synthesis of my thoughts regarding the significance of successfully launching an online learning experience.

     Launching an online learning experience is not “a walk over” or easier than the face-to-face instruction as some folks may think, but it involves a lot of thought, skill and effort to make the process successful. It involves knowing about technology, using it effectively and appropriately to enhance student’s learning. It involves communicating clear expectations with learners, skills in using the right word-tone, executing patience and, setting up systems, preparing syllabuses and organizing discussion materials and monitoring discussions and so on. I would say it is an art that needs to be craftily put together. Doing this will help both the learner and the instructor realize their objectives and gain successful outcomes in the course.

References:
Boettcher, J. (2010). Teaching Online for the First Time – The Quick Guide. Designing for Learning. Retrieved on March 18, 2011, from http://www.designingforlearning.info/services/writing/ecoach/tenbest.html.

Boettcher, J., & Conrad, R., (2010), The Online teaching Survival Guide. Simple and Practical Pedagogical Tips. San Francisco, CA. Jossey-Bass.
 
Palloff, R. & Pratt, K. (2011). Keeping the Learner Motivated and Engaged. (Video).

Roberts, N. (2010). Teaching with Primary Sources @ Cal U. University of Caifornia. Retrieved on March 18, 2011, from http://tpscalu.wordpress.com/