1. Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching Supporting & Enhancing Online Teaching & Learning by Catherine Ogilvie Centre for the Enhancement of Learning & Teaching

2. Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching Some Key Components of Online Learning Administration Course Materials Interaction Activities Assessment Evaluation Student Support

3. Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching Going online... What are the benefits? Interaction? Curriculum design Learning styles? Activity times? Assessing learning? Academic integrity? Resources and logistics? Educational purpose? Whom do I teach? How do I teach? How many? What tools are available? Did it work?

4. Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching Navigation Where am I? Where can I go? How do I get there? When I get there, how do I get back?

5. Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching Navigation Ensure it is easy to find information Logical links Course map Signposts: table of contents, navigation, aims, assessment

6. Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching Types of Course Materials text resources –glossary / help text multimedia resources lecture notes presentations video conferences images simulations web pages pdf files spreadsheets databases audio files email messages, posting and chat dialogues virtual tours

7. Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching Course Materials

8. Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching Course Materials Reading online or offline? Build in interactivity Think about accessibility issues Create easy to read pages Linking to enhance knowledge and understanding

9. Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching Course Materials Meaningful headings and subheadings Lists One idea per paragraph Inverted pyramid 50% less words Background & font colours Consistency Use summaries Highlight and emphasise keywords Plain, simple straightforward language Catch readers interest Thoughtful linking Concise sentences Stand alone pages

10. Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching Online Discussions Aim to generate a purposeful interaction to increase knowledge and skills Encourage active participation: –compare, classify, induce, deduce, analyse errors, construct support, make abstractions, analyse perspectives Creates a sense of community Reference source e.g. FAQs

11. Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching Online Discussions Benefits –Ability to build upon perspectives and gain deeper understanding –Encourages participation from everyone –Address sensitive issues –Identify problem areas Drawbacks Too much participation Lack of participation

12. Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching Online Discussions Single Topic Discussion - asynchronous –sequential dialogue Threaded Discussion - asynchronous –respond directly to specific topics Chat - synchronous real time –not very good for educational purposes –little time to think about a response –unstructured, difficult to follow –Good, for building online community

13. Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching Online Discussions Present text as points for discussion, encourage collaboration Time consuming Respond to postings, give credit Numbers? Netiquette Interacting with people NOT technology Nurture community feeling Motivation to participate?

14. Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching Assessments To ensure learners have integrated the desired knowledge On or off-line? Development of products or portfolios Suggestions: –critique a website, problems based upon using the web, identify useful links, design a web page, work through simulations, online self assessments with immediate feedback

15. Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching Activities Create small project groups to work on a specific topic Assign roles within a group Structure projects promoting collaboration Use problem based learning

16. Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching Evaluation Check educational objectives Usability of the whole package Feedback from users Redesign as appropriate Development is an iterative process

17. Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching The Online Learning Experience Online Lecture Online Notes Links Tutorials Support Discussions Project Work Communities Virtual Tours Images Chat Assessments Glossaries Audio Simulations

18. Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching What are the benefits? Large number of students access information Allows flexible pace Constant source of reference and revision material Accessible anywhere Geographically dispersed students Up to date FAQs Reduce marking Self assessment Stimulating environment Consistency Address new skills Improve channels of communication

19. Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching Words of caution Curriculum should drive technology Tools relevant to learning experience Technology can enhance learning Create and maintain the human touch Time consuming Cannot assume your site will be visited Easy to click elsewhere Beware of too many links Motivation and participation Equal interaction

20. Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching To summarise... Document length Writing style Graphics Standardisation Contact details Facilitate Scanning Use of Headings Hyperlinks Interaction Activities Describe links Accessibility Issues Consistent layout Test the design and modify Up to date Biographies Archives Assessment

21. Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching Thank you for your attention Catherine Ogilvie Educational Development Officer CELT email: c.ogilvie@rgu.ac.uk ext: 3343