Ideas for Online Teaching
Hello again,
As an instructor, will I be fully creating a course, filling in a frame or a shell, or is the course fully set up? In the last scenario, can I implement change, and if so, how? Creating a syllabus or as necessary amending a syllabus to present areas of study as well as expectations is an important foundation. Determining what needs to be done to prepare an online course is, of course, of primary concern.
It was a little odd to see the concept of “scaffolding†used for education, although perhaps this is a commonly used term. Years ago in a French class, a teacher talked about how Rabelais felt knowledge required a foundation upon which to add more knowledge. However it is worded, this is an important concept. Since an instructor will not have full knowledge of what type of foundation a student has in a particular subject area, often some sort of pre-test can be of value.
Finding ways to adapt curricula to be easily accessed by different learning styles if also an important element in teaching. Today, students will often have read information about their dominant learning style, and they may ask for different forms of presentation or activities.
Marcia,
Every situation is different. I have worked in situations where I developed the online courses from the ground up - developed everything. Then, I have been in situtations where I have developed the course snd then "handed them over" to others. So, those instructors did not have to do any design at all. I think it's important to know the basics no matter which environment you may be working.
You are correct in that some type of testing of the students knowlege is important. Many instructors provide a "diagnostic type of test" to gauge what the students know about the content or in general. This helps in the adjustment of lessons to meet students' needs and scaffold the information. This helps allows for various learning styles as well.
Nice job.
I'm kinda old fashion when comes to learning. In a technicial driven business, it's hard to replace just simple hands own learning.
Mark,
Nothing wrong with being old fashion. Just try some new technology to engage students - especially in the online classroom.
I am "old fashioned" also but it is amazing how much more up to date I have become in the few years that I have been teaching.
Same here, The brain needs interactive games to help students better understand.
Valerie,
We have to keep moving forward even if we are "old fashioned." ;-)
Jesse,
An engaging classroom is essential to enhance their learning.
Unitl this in-servcie course I had not heard of the concept of “scaffolding†used for education. I assume it is a resposne to studnt learning outcomes that colleges are now adopting?
Marshall,
Scaffolding has been a term that's been around for awhile now. It just helps us understanding how things build upon each other.
