Teaching & Learning with Technology: Best Practices for Online Course Design Presented By Melissa Anderson Senior Pedagogical Advisor September 29, 2005

Session Goals & Agenda Goal: Present strategies for successful online course design within the Blackboard environment Agenda: Discuss Networked Learning Environment Share Teaching & Learning Theories Define “Learning Object” and Share Potential Value Present foundations for successful content management, collaboration, communication and assessment within a virtual environment Share and discuss client best practices focused on specific teaching and learning methods

Why are we really here? “Good teachers join self and subject and students in the fabric of life.” -Parker Palmer, The Courage To Teach

The Networked Learning Environment

Teaching Approaches & Learning Theories What is pedagogy/andragogy? Pedagogy: the principles and methods of instruction Andragogy: the principles and methods of adult instruction (Knowles) Three “flavors” of online learning Supplemental Presents and shares some content online; however same in-class time and tasks often remain the same Hybrid/Blended Replaces some portion of in-class time with online tasks and activities Fully Online/Distance Replaces all in-class time with online tasks and activities

Teaching Approaches & Learning Theories How do students learn? Behaviorism: Skinner, stimulus-response Computer-assisted instruction Measurable learning objectives Multiple-choice tests Cognitivism: Tolman, Vygotsky, mental processes Outlining, summarizing knowledge Generative note-taking Analogies, metaphors Social construction of knowledge: Dewey, Bruner, individual creates meaning Situated experiences/apprenticeships Inquiry-based learning -Donovan, Bransford, & Pellegrino, 1999

Teaching Approaches & Learning Theories How do instructors teach & align practice with learning theories? Using one or more instructional & learning strategies, including: Shaping, chaining, fading (behaviorism) Organized, self-paced instruction (objectivism) Case-study method (cognitivism) Problem-based learning (constructivism) Active learning (constructivism) Collaborative learning (social constructivism) Learning communities & virtual learning environments (constructivism)

What About Learning Objects? Definitions vary, but include any combination of the following elements: Instructional content Alignment of instructional content with learning objective and/or standard Assessment of the mastery of the instructional content Value of learning objects in academics: Re-usable across classes, departments, institutions, etc Cross-functional within a variety of environments Can be more engaging, stimulating, focused elements for knowledge-building Favor “chunking” of content

Online Education: Evaluating Teaching Evaluation of Technology-based Teaching: Key Elements of Quality 1.Content 2.Course or program planning 3.Instructional design 4.Media production 5.Support and moderation of the learning experience 6.Student administration 7.Course or program evaluation and maintenance -Bates & Poole, 2003

Strategies for Success Client Best Practices: Constructivist Learning Utilize the Discussion Board & Adaptive Release functionality for student-centered discovery, research and reflection Facilitate synchronous discussion in the Virtual Classroom- students share documents, web sites and ideas in text/on the whiteboard Encourage student collaboration through the use of ePortfolios- students share the progress of their learning for colleague commenting Enable a “shared collection of materials” for student creation, management and discovery Develop a customized module that will allow students to grade each other and themselves using our open APIs

Strategies for Success Client Best Practices: Problem-based Learning Organize the course around the problem/theme and/or stages of the problem/theme- selectively reveal stages as the course progresses Present content from multiple perspectives, linking content with the course link creator and course map functions Present and share a resource library of materials (or encourage students to build one) that is searchable based on customized keywords Hold office hours in the lightweight chat space to answer questions and post transcripts for other students to review Give students access to a blog or wiki to share collective progress through one of our building block partners

Online Education: Client Best Practices Lead with your academic and administrative strategies at all levels: institution, department, & course. Plan your entire course, not just the online components, based on your teaching values and practices, before building anything Connect in-class and online activities directly; make students aware of why you chose each environment Be aware of the various learning styles of your students and use technology to address the differences Provide an environment that fits the changing needs of the your students best: more collaboration, more communication and more engaging activities.

Where do we go from here? “Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten.” -B.F. Skinner, The New Scientist, May 21, 1964

Questions & Discussion Melissa Anderson Senior Pedagogical Advisor