Kelly Wilkinson

William, You make a great point; so many times the technology has so many "bells and whistles" that the instructor and the student can become confused. It is important that you provide guidance and resources to help students use the technology. Dr. Kelly Wilkinson

William, Great post! You are right, the tool should be adaptable to measure the outcomes. I would add one more; you can get the analytical information needed to measure the outcomes easily. Dr. Kelly Wilkinson

Elizabeth, Great post. You are right, it has to be used and managed easily by both students and instructors. Dr. Kelly Wilkinson

Nicole, Great post! You are right, public access computers can pose a problem with any software. You have to have expectations for students regarding technology. Technology makes the learning more interactive and engaging. If you reduce the technology in the course to the point of just reading and and answering questions with the instructor, what makes the online experience different than a correspondence course? (This difference is how the federal government determines the difference between a correspondence course and an online course). Dr. Kelly Wilkinson

Marjorie, That is true. It is really instructor choice (unless the institution requires it). I quit using the phone as I had several of my nontraditional students wanting to use the phone rather than learn the technology and engage with the other students. Dr. Kelly Wilkinson

Marjorie, You are right. The technology should solve the need for the course regarding meeting objectives. Dr. Kelly Wilkinson

Tanya, Great post. I find that many times, policies set by the instructor are not enforced by the instructor. It is important to remember that policies set mean nothing if note enforced! Dr. Kelly Wilkinson

Tanya, Great post. I find that many times, policies set by the instructor are not enforced by the instructor. It is important to remember that policies set mean nothing if note enforced! Dr. Kelly Wilkinson

Earl, Great points!!!! You used the word efficacy, that is such a great word to describe that the technology should do. You don't want the technology to be the barrier. Dr. Kelly Wilkinson

Troy, Thank you for your comments about instructors being up to date in the technology. I find so many pioneers of online teaching don't keep their technology and become online dinosaur. Yes, they teach online but do students learn online. Dr. Kelly Wilkinson