Some tools for managing content in the online environment might include text reading, video lectures, podcasts, and audio/vodcasts. An advantage to using podcasting is that it gives the listener the freedom to choose when and where they will listen to lesson content. Tools for collaboration might include Skype, synchronous/asynchronous instructor mediated or student moderated discussions, Wikis, Blogs, and video conferencing. Tools for communication might include social networking such as Wikis, Blogs, Skype, discussion boards, email, smartphones, and YouTube. Some of the advantages to using these social networking tools such as Wiki and Blogs are that they encourage student collaboration, promotes team activities, and allows flexibility and ease of use. Skype allows for synchronous, real-time discussions among students on opposite sides of the planet, and it is a free download.
A technological tool that is often used in the online platform is a learning management system. For instance, the system known as "Blackboard" enables instructors to have a web-enhanced classroom for integrating course materials as well as face-to-face with web cams. Some of the advantages of using a learning management system is that it increases student productivity through discussion boards whether synchronous or asynchronous, video lectures, podcasts, and emails. Blackboard may also be used to post case studies for discussion among small groups of students. In this way, student interactivity is fostered through problem-based learning (Durrington, Berryhill, & Swafford, 2006).
Reference:
Durrington, V.A., Berryhill, A., & Swafford, J. (2006). Strategies for enhancing student interactivity in an online environment. College Teaching, 54(1), 190-193.
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Hi Neena: I have never thought of a LMS as a technologic tool. I have viewed blackboard as the environment or classroom and whether I teach on blackboard, e-college or moodle is similar to whether I teach in room 304, 406, or 211. I know you need technology skills to move around within the LMS, but you also need skills to get into the brick and mortar classroom and even writing on the "old fashion blackboard" required a certain amount of skill to be able to write (legibly) and to talk without turning your back to the students, etc. Thanks for helping me to see a different perspective.
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ReplyDelete(I had an error in my first comment, so I deleted it...oops...)
ReplyDeleteI agree that social networking tools like wikis and blogs are great ways to involve students, especially in grades K-12. There are so many educators who are realizing that using social networking tools in the classroom can have positive results, and some companies have even created educational equivalents to Twitter and Facebook. Being able to bring the technologies that our students use outside of school into their learning environment, whether that environment is face-to-face or online, will not only aid in enabling more effective communication and collaboration, it will also show them that we consider what they do outside of the classroom important.
Deborah and Monica,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments. I agree that integraing technologies into students' learning environments will increase communication and collaboration.
Neena
Does any one have a concern that sometime the "increased communications" is more noise than content?? I worry sometimes that the online discussion strays so far from the topic --it is like the students having a conversation in the back of the room-- while the teacher is lecturing!! It comes down the the quantity of posting vs the quality or substance of postings --and I find it is difficult to get students to appreciate the difference. Thanks!
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