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Is there any standard for software systems supporting online learning

Software standards are essential part of software systems moving forward and creating proper inter-use. Is there any standards for the online learning systems?

Frequency of participation in discussions!

Hi, It is very important to set a minimum number of posting in online dicussions. The quality of posting is very important as well. Oneliner posting should not be credited with any points. I think, a minimum of three postings per topic is a logical standard for any online discussions. The first posting should be the introduction, second one should be response to someone else's posting and extend thoughts, and the final posting should be a summarized thoughts on the topic.

Core Question - New Thread

Based on how long the original thread has gotten- I am reposting the core question. QUESTION: The time invested to develop a quality online course is less than the time required to develop the same course for a traditional classroom delivery. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your answer.

Requiring particular software?

I am going to teach statistics online, and I will write some of the content in MathML (Mathematical Markup Language). How do you tell the students to use a browser that supports MathML?

The Dreaded "I agree!" In Discussion Forums

How can we avoid the dreaded “I Agree” in Discussion Forums (Asynchronous Forums)? Other than mandating minimum length, how can we stimulate quality responses to student posts? My experience indicates that one of the top things online students HATE to do is respond to each other’s posts. That said, I ask you. How can we encourage quality discussions on online forums?

Setting The Right Tone -

I am Program Chair for a new Program. Hospitality and Restaurant Management (HRM) My goal is to “set the right tone” early in the course so students know what to expect and get a feel that they are supported. To do this we have created a intro class that will discuss strategies for online learning. We have grated a “training room” that contains an orientation, resources, and a profile of the Online Team. What else can we be doing to set the tone and give the message to students that they need to meet expectations and that they have a variety of resources available to them?

Academic Integrity and Cheating

Melissa Olt quoted a study in 2003 that named three possible approaches to minimizing (online) cheating and plagiarism was recommended: first, there was the virtues approach. The virtues approach sought to develop students who did not want to cheat. Second, the prevention approach, the goal was to eliminate or reduce opportunities for students to cheat and to reduce the pressure to cheat. The final proposal was the police approach, with the objective to catch and punish those who do cheat. He said that policing, when employed consistently, could also serve as a preventative measure (Hinman 2000). My question (s): Is there a problem with online learners feeling comfortable cheating? Do you see turnitinin.com as policing, preventative and working?

Bolonga can undermine logical learning

I teach at an automotive technical training institution where we have few self starters or self motivators. I’m all for tools that aid in the spread of knowledge and not afraid that they will put me out of a job. I’m a baby boomer, and a little slower at adapting to and accepting new technologies. I’ve found there is a lot of false information or bologna on the internet. Bologna can undermine logical learning. That’s my opinion. I look at my job as that of a guide, one that helps my students on the start their journey thru the pasture of life, around bologna not one that spreads it. My goal is for them to find their own path to achieve their goal. The journey is all about reliable knowledge. That’s how goals are achieved. Slow down, watch your step, enjoy the journey.

Artworks and Photographs

Being the generation Y is more of the visual learner and needs to compare to another learning model. I feel it is imperative to have a variety of tools to illustrate a point.

Relevance

Of the 5 Questions for discussion development, I feel relevance is most important to adult learners. From teaching primarily adults, wasting their time with fluff is not received well.

Supplemental Reading

Important to add related material for those students that want to research further on that subject or use other resources for projects or presentations

Where to find the rights for info usage?

Where would you go to find out the copyright and infringement laws and how to contact such people to aquire the use of such information?

Getting to know the student = greater rewards for everyone

I believe that if we get to "know" our students in the online/virtual environment - we interact with them in a chat room, in discussion board,even a personal contact at the beginning of the session - that adds so much more to the overall experience - and not just for the students, but for us as facilitators and instructors as well. I teach because I enjoy the experience - as I'm sure most others do - and I want to be able to interact with my students to the point of having that "connection" with them - even if they are across the world! Thanks, Toni

Online environment and ability to maintain academic integrity

I believe that there is a great deal of concern from those outside the distance learning environment - thinking that the online environment may not be able to provide that same level of academic integrity. I think that is a false thought and perhaps a scatoma on the part of instructors/facilitators. What online or distance learning challenges us to do in regards to the classroom and providing integrity - is that WE have to provide the "service" to students - it will just look a little different than it does in the classroom. Toni

Reservations

Being an adult learner, I have concerns of being a student that would be successful learning on-line. I am attempted to step out of the box, technology dictates staying ahead of new methods of learning.

Course structure

I agree the course structure, syllabus,information sheet needs to be as complete, as interesting. as exciting as possible. The more I can promote the excitment the more participation I can get. We all know that things flow, questions get asked, with the more participents we get. There isn't much laps time with a full class.

on line question and answers

you know how we always say there are no dumb questions and I believe this is absolutely sure there isn't. But I'm sure we have seen at one time or another some one make a face or jesture. with online questions I don't have to let on I'm as bumd as some people think I am and I can ask any question I want to I won't even feel bad about asking it. Of course there is always a chance some one I know is taking the same class.

Getting students to participate in helping one another.

I wish I could claim this as my own, but I cannot. I want to share with you all a wonderful technique I learned from a teacher I had during graduate school. Her name was Shauna Schullo, and she passed away last year at a tragically young age from breast cancer. So whenever I explain this technique to my students. I always tell them about her and how she made me a better online instructor. The technique is called "Ask the Guru." Basically it is an extra discussion board forum that I set up in every class. I inform the students that they should post any general class questions in it. I remind them anything personal they should email me about. However I inform them that if it's a question about the class to post it there, with the question as the subject. I then also tell them to feel free to ANSWER anyone else's questions if they believe they can help. They might get to it before I do so the question might be answered faster. Ask the guru does several things: 1. It avoids me repeatedly answering the same questions over and over in emails, saving time I can spend on feedback and critiques. 2. It means the students see each other's questions and may help one another, enhancing interaction and participation. 3. The question may have already been asked by someone else, so the student gets an immediate answer. In fact I have created an "Ask the Guru FAQ" from questions and answers in past classes. I love this technique because it serves a dual purpose. It streamlines my workload since I am not having to type out answers to the same question multiple times. It also enriches the learning experience of the students by getting them to participate in helping out one another. What techniques and tips have you discovered that do either of these things, or better yet, both? Please feel free to share!

Course creation

I have found that, for me, creating a course that appeals to students as well as helping them learn is really an ongoing process. I create a base file that I believe will work, and every session I add to it, or take things out that didn't work. I have also felt that, for a creative based classroom, giving live feedback on the previous "rock stars" in the group during a Live Chat helps foster discussion and tremendously boosts the drive of all students, because soon EVERYONE wants to show off their own skills and be critiqued.

The joys of office hours

My biggest hurdle for creating office hours with my students is the fact that, with 18 students all living in different parts of the country, it can be a bit of a problem finding the "right" time to best accomodate as many of the students as possible. So what has ended up happening, is I get calls late on Saturday night with questions. Sigh.