FACILITATION: REVIEW OF COURSE OBJECTIVES
I must say that the use of course objectives and having students reflect back on course objectives is a very important learning tool in itself. Below I have copied the course objectives for my own reference and I have successfully met all of them (to various extents). Having them here will facilitate my own continued learning as I recal what is necesary to successfully teach online. Stepping into the shoes of a student helps me to feel and think like my own students do. I can see why every objective is important. The overall course objectve were:
1. Select strategies for developing an online learning community that are appropriate to course content and student needs.
This is addressed in the online teachers guide produced as a part of the group collaboration project (see section)
2. Select appropriate synchronous and asynchronous communication technologies for interacting directly with students, individually and with the class as a whole.
I have mastered understanding of these to an extent that I am better able to manage a course and respond to student needs during the course.
3. Employ effective online facilitation strategies to maintain active and appropriate student-student interaction.
All of the rules of netiquette, managing difficult students and creating a safe, supportive and enriching learning environment apply here.
4. Develop rubrics that clearly define student performance requirements for online courses. I have already used rubistar to create a rubric for my students (don't know how I managed before)
5. Employ alternative online teaching strategies that address different ways of learning. Many tools available in the form of softwear, media and other options for delivery of content and then a skilled instructor who undertands the learners in their class.
