TPOL Chapter 10 The Development of Online Courses Dean Caplan – Canadian Pacific Railway Rodger Graham – Athabasca University Israel Butler EDET 755

The Model Online Course Instructional Designs of learning materials are stable, based on proven learning theories Instructional Designs of learning materials are stable, based on proven learning theories Meets institution’s identified standards for quality, usability, & interoperability Meets institution’s identified standards for quality, usability, & interoperability Appropriate tools selected to meet standards Appropriate tools selected to meet standards Course takes advantage of supplied technologies Course takes advantage of supplied technologies Comprised of simple cost-effective designs Comprised of simple cost-effective designs

Online Education Still in its infancy Still in its infancy Teachers must unlearn old methods for this new form of instruction Teachers must unlearn old methods for this new form of instruction Students must implement better time management and find motivation to stay in engaged in course work Students must implement better time management and find motivation to stay in engaged in course work

What defines an online course? 1990s: Courses that are primarily text-based (online or by mailed hard copy) with computer mediated enhancements 1990s: Courses that are primarily text-based (online or by mailed hard copy) with computer mediated enhancements 2000s: Courses that are designed specifically for the Internet 2000s: Courses that are designed specifically for the Internet

The Use of Learning Management Systems Organizes and standardizes learning content Organizes and standardizes learning content Divides courses into modules and lessons Divides courses into modules and lessons Supported with quizzes, tests, and sicussions Supported with quizzes, tests, and sicussions Examples: BlackBoard, Moodle, & Desire2Learn Examples: BlackBoard, Moodle, & Desire2Learn

E-Learning 2.0 Community based model of learner-to-learner Community based model of learner-to-learner What to include in a course? What to include in a course? Personalized letter of welcome Personalized letter of welcome General info about online learning, technology requirements, academic resources, etc. General info about online learning, technology requirements, academic resources, etc. Info on how to navigate LMS Info on how to navigate LMS Student log-in info for site Student log-in info for site Tips on using interactive tools Tips on using interactive tools Course syllabus, overview, and schedule Course syllabus, overview, and schedule Administrative rules and regulations Administrative rules and regulations

Effective Online Teaching Promote active learning at the will of the student Promote active learning at the will of the student Develop tolerance for responses (cognitive flexibility) Develop tolerance for responses (cognitive flexibility) Create material slightly too difficult to encourage critical thinking Create material slightly too difficult to encourage critical thinking Use problems requiring students to understand and manipulate content Use problems requiring students to understand and manipulate content Allow students to assess their knowledge and skills throughout course Allow students to assess their knowledge and skills throughout course

Conclusion Much labor goes into constructing an effective online learning environment Much labor goes into constructing an effective online learning environment Instructors must familiarize themselves with new technologies and communication methods Instructors must familiarize themselves with new technologies and communication methods Students should be taught the ins and outs of online learning and should be engaged through interactive constructs to improve quality of learning Students should be taught the ins and outs of online learning and should be engaged through interactive constructs to improve quality of learning

TPOL Chapter 10 The Development of Online Courses Dean Caplan – Canadian Pacific Railway Rodger Graham – Athabasca University Israel Butler EDET 755