Introduction to Online Teaching and Learning: September 2008-December 2008
End of course reflection for Introduction to online teaching and learning.
As I am nearing the end of this introductory course, I find that I have probably learned a lot more than I thought that I would! As I have been using web ct for more than two years now, I felt a little familiar although not confident in my abilities. Reviewing the course goals, which I have pasted below for my own reference, I must say that this course was more advanced than the title suggests. I can now use many more webct functions, including horizon, live, Wimba, and other functions. I would love to see the name of the course changed to "Fundamentals of online teaching and learning", because the word "introduction" sells both the course and the student short of the sophistication of the course content.
Through the various weekly units I have learned a lot about how people learn, how teachers can teach and how to adapt the online environment to suit different learning and teaching styles. It was interesting to do the learning and teaching styles questionnaires and related readings. I was comfortable with my teaching profile--facilitator and mentor. I was comfortable with my mixed learning profile also, as this probably helps me to understand different types of learners.
One opinion that I have developed is that online teaching is possibly not suitable for authoritarian teachers who like to direct students and need an heirarchical environment where they get recognition, respect and few challenges from students. It seems to me that the online teacher must be a collaborator, mentor, able to direct a student and let go.
The successful online student has initiative, time management skills, is disciplined and mature in their ability to form collaborations with fellow students.
I am less excited about synchronous learning tools and opportunities than I expected to be. I think that a lot can be achieved through asynchronous methods and a high tech, high touch environment. Synchronous needs to be trialled and tested to ensure that it will work when the cue occurs. It is very frustrating when live learning opportunities leave a student staring at a blank screen when they know that the rest of the class is expeiencing something that they are not.
Online teaching and learning requires a LOT of time. Time to build the course, time to interact with students, time to interact with the teacher, and time to interact with the learning objects and participate in assessable activities. This is an extremely important point. One can not come in at the eleventh hour and power through material. It's a process. Takes time. That is why I like the learning contract. Makes it clear. Gives responsibility to the learner.
