I really like the idea of scaffolding so that students are building off of their prior knowledge.
Importance of the syllabus, scaffolding and overall communication
Critical components of the online environment are creating and maintaining student-friendly, secure, comfortable communication channels.
I learned how to create a dynamic syllabus to assist students in anticipating online issues and situations. I also learned the importance of creating an online community so students dont' feel like they are individually learning.
I have learned that it is important to create am environment where students feel comfortable interacting in a synchronous or asynchronous manner. To apply this lesson, I feel it is important to offer multiple forums of communication (discussions, chats, emails) and to ensure that instruction for communication are clearly outlined in the syllabus and on the online learning platform.
A flat syllabus is no dofferent than a printed syllabus. Online syllabus should be dynamic.
The concept of scaffolding is the same in online and in person learning.
Having a dynamic syllabus is the basis for any successful class as an instructor. From there establishing the right environment to allow the students to scaffold properly also provides success for the student and instructor.
Building an online community for your course is important to student learning. Students shouldn't be left to feel that they are alone online doing the course. The student has to be aware that engaging in the community is important to their learning in the course. Web based tools are helpful in the development of a community sense that the students will want to engage in.
Developing a dynamic syllabus is important. This online syllabus is very different from our traditional ones.
My take away from this session is the building of a dynamic syllabus. My goal is to revise the syllabus so my students may access and see each component versus a flat line.
The amount of involvement from the instructor in the online discusssions needs to be asssessed from one group to another.
Define clearly in the syllabus the rules for participation.
The tracking an instructor has to do monitoring scaffolding for students
Students need to focus on learning with technology and not from technology.
Scaffolding is very important in helping students begin to build on different topics, while learning and processing communication.
Asking 3 questions to students:
1. What should we stop doing
2. What should we start doing
3. What should we continue doing
Reply to Nicole Golden's post: I agree with you Nicole, students that create a better learning scaffolding based on their previous learning and experiences always help them to focus in their learning strategies.
By creating a great learning scaffolding by remodeling and rebuilding on previous knowledge and previous experience and where to focus positive energy it help the students understanding their course framework to implemented through their courses.
That learning should be centered on the students and that there are a number of ways to do this.
