Resources: Instructional Technology
Teaching Online
General Resources
An Example of Instructional Elements of an Online Course
Instructional Strategies for Online Courses (www)
Delivery Technologies Overview
32 Trends Affecting Distance Education: An Informed Foundation for Strategic Planning
Teaching Resources
Online Tools
- Listservs
- Blogs
- Websites
- Chat rooms
- Streaming audio/video
- Newsgroups
- WebCT: Web course tools (www)
- Horizon Wimba: classroom collaboration tool (www)
- XanEdu: online course packets (www)
- Questia: online library (www)
- MERLOT: Multimedia education resource for learning and online teaching (www)
How is Teaching Online Different From the Classroom?
- Separated by space/time
- More technology
- Access to learning resources
- Access to student support services
- Assessment techniques
- Types of students
- Student skills-reading, writing, self-direction
Adapting Your Curriculum for the Online Environment
- Clear & achievable objectives
- Use appropriate technology
- Reflect collaborative nature of online learning
- Organize into modules with clear deadlines
- Reduce lecture
- Focus on application and critical thinking
- Continuous dialog
- Student-centered activities
The Successful Online Learner:
- Is goal-oriented, with a strong need to pursue a graduate degree, a serious commitment to learning and willingness to follow through with a degree program.
- Is a self-starter with good study skills, who is well organized, does not procrastinate and enjoys figuring out assignments independently.
- Possesses strong time management skills and self-discipline and can set aside specific times on a routine basis to participate in the course and complete projects by deadlines instead of waiting until the end of the semester.
- Has time and energy to devote to completing a degree.
- Is comfortable working on course assignments both independently and with electronic peers at a distance.
- Has the motivation to read, write, and participate fully in online class activities.
- Has strong reading and writing skills. Understands that a significant portion of distance learning material and communication happens through reading and writing.
- Is comfortable asking instructor or peers for help or clarification but does not need immediate feedback to keep on task.
- Enjoys working on interactive exercises and authentic assignments such as case studies or team projects.
- Enjoys finding ways to apply the knowledge and skills they are learning to the real world.
- Can be flexible, patient and resourceful in dealing with technology problems.
- Has access to an up-to-date computer and a high-speed Internet connection.
- Has experience with basic computer skills and the Internet.