1. Trends and Terminology in Online Learning
Week 1
Introduction to Web-Based Mentoring and Distance Education

2. Table of Contents Online Learning: What it’s Not What is it?
New Trends in Online Learning

3. Online Learning
Online Learning
The terminology can be almost as confusing as sorting through all the available online learning sites
Distributed Learning
Distance Learning
Online Education
eLearning

4. Online Learning: What it is Not!
Online Learning is NOT about the technology and tools.
Online Learning is NOT only about information.
Online Learning is NOT about the web
Online Learning is NOT about interaction with the computer.

5. II. Online Learning: What is it?
Online Learning is NOT about the technology and tools.
Online Learning is about the processes mediated by technology – NOT the technology itself.
As you will see in this course…
Good teaching is good teaching, whether online or face-to-face (f2f)

6. II. Online Learning: What is it?
Online Learning is NOT about information.
Online Learning is about:
Making meaning from information
Engaging in higher-level thinking
Connecting new knowledge to prior knowledge
Engaging in extended levels of discussion
Critical Thinking/Higher-Level Thinking
Interacting with content in a variety of formats (video, text, multi-media, discussion, chat, etc.)

7. II. Online Learning: What is it?
Online Learning is NOT about the web.
Online learning must be about critically evaluating web resources.
Online Learning must be about making the best use of the resources available.
Online learning must be about harnessing the strengths of the web and addressing the weaknesses of the web.

8. II. Online Learning: What is it?
Online Learning is NOT about interaction with the computer.
Online learning is about interactions among learning communities, between students, between students and teachers and between teams or teammates
All of these interactions occur synchronously through chats and instant messaging and asynchronously through discussions, s, announcements, etc.

9. II. Online Learning: What is it?
Questions to ask yourself when thinking about online learning…
Does the online learning emphasize on both processes & products?
Does the online learning focus on making meaning rather than the information?
Does the online learning harness the strengths and address the weaknesses of web-based learning?
Does the online learning provide interactions among the students and their communities?
Does the online learning promote higher levels of thinking and reflection?

10. III. New Trends in Online Learning
There are new trends in online learning.
Some of these trends are:
Reusable Learning Objects
A Hybrid Approach
Instructional Design Considerations

11. III. New Trends in Online Learning
Reusable Learning Objects
David A. Wiley, the author of The Instructional Use of Learning Objects defines learning objects as "any digital resource that can be reused to support learning“
Wiley states that "The main idea of 'learning objects' is to break educational content down into small chunks that can be reused in various learning environments, in the spirit of object-oriented programming"

12. III. New Trends in Online Learning
Reusable Learning Objects
The Wisconsin Online Resource Center provides this lengthier description:
Learning objects are a new way of thinking about learning content. Learning Objects are:
Self-contained – each learning object can be taken independently 
Reusable – a single learning object may be used in multiple contexts for multiple purposes
Can be aggregated – learning objects can be grouped into larger collections of content, including traditional course structures
Tagged with metadata – every learning object has descriptive information allowing it to be easily found by a search

13. III. New Trends in Online Learning
Reusable Learning Objects
As this new trend evolves, there are many definitions of reusable learning objects. Some of the most commonly used definitions of learning objects are:
A unit of educational content delivered via the internet.
A section of a course that can be stored and used again in another communication or learning product.
A collection of information objects assembled using metadata to match the personality and needs of the individual learner.  Multiple learning objects can be grouped into larger assemblies and they can be nested within each other to form an infinite variety and size.  Therefore there is typically a specified hierarchy of object groupings.
Any element in an instructional model that can be independently drawn into a momentary assembly in order to create an instructional event.

14. III. New Trends in Online Learning
Reusable Learning Objects
To learn more about Reusable Learning Objects, view the EduWorks Corporation’s Learning Object Tutorial. The tutorial contains a good table on the pros and cons of reusable learning objects.
As you view the quick tutorial, think about….
What are some instructional advantages of using learning objects?
What are some instructional disadvantages?

15. III. New Trends in Online Learning
A Hybrid or Blended Approach
In a hybrid or blended approach to online learning designers use both face-to-face and online learning to meet the needs of their students.

16. III. New Trends in Online Learning
A Hybrid or Blended Approach
Face-to-face Meetings allow for:
Maximum interaction and collaboration
Adaptability
Spontaneity
Online allows for:
Anywhere/anytime
Just-in-time
Active & independent learning with reflection
Ease of access to experts
Time for reflection (can return to discussions and build on comments/postings later)

17. III. New Trends in Online Learning
A Hybrid or Blended Approach
An Example:Many times a course kick-off occurs f2f. At this time, course materials are shared, the online delivery platform is explained, and team and community building take place. The course continues online for the next 8-weeks. The course wraps up with a f2f meeting where students share their final projects, reflect on the experience, and complete a course evaluation.

18. III. New Trends in Online Learning
Instructional Design Considerations
Instructional Design is the systematic development of instructional specifications using learning and instructional theory to ensure the quality of instruction.
It constitutes the entire process of analysis of learning needs and goals and the development of a delivery system to meet those needs.
It includes development of instructional materials and activities; and tryout and evaluation of all instruction and learner activities.
Source:

19. III. New Trends in Online Learning
Instructional Design Considerations
Instructional design combines…
A link between instructional design and the current views of online learning that are shifting toward student-centered, situated, problem-based and model-centered experiences.
Source:
An understanding of the learners
An analysis of the desired learning outcomes
An instructional strategy + =

20. III. New Trends in Online Learning
Instructional Design Considerations
Analysis – analyze learners, goals, settings
Design – identify objectives, resources, activities, strategies & assessment
Development – create or adapt materials
Implementation – use the package
Evaluation – check effectiveness and identify problems for revision
Source:

21. Resources General Resources Learning Objects
Learning Objects