Another thing online teachers need to be concerned about is what there current LEA wil and will not support you in! Something I do do with every form of communication is I hold on to a copy of every communication ffrom parents, students, colleagues or adminstration!
I learned that there are a variety of communication tools and with careful, intentional research, you can find the ones that best meets the needs of your class. Obtaining feedback is essential to determining the effectiveness of the communication tools used. Monitoring is a must to ensure only students in the class have access and that timely feedback is provided. Guidelines must be set and communicated to students.
When it comes to choosing technology tools to utilize in an online course, we need to evaluate our options and assure that the tools align with the learning outcomes and communication goals.
I learned some types of large meeting software available for use in online instruction. I specifically plan to use adobe connect professional and elluminate for my classes.
I have never used social media, because I have children who would not be able to use it effectively. However, it can be useful as it has already the structures in place for an online classroom, for instance, to be created. But blocking unwanted intruders might be tricky. There are platforms that are classroom replicators on Adobe Presenter, but the communication is lagged. VoIP migh be used as a classroom tool, but there is lag time there as well.
I'm assuming many of these topics we are learning about apply to post-secondary schooling. All classes that apply to secondary education that I have taken have been adamant about not using social media or texting to communicate with students. As it has been stated, I would like to investigate this more as students are more likely to use a social media app rather than e-mail.
This module was a good overview and recap of technology tools for effective online course communications. It also served as a good reminder of using proper tools, evaluating technology tools and assessing the effectiveness of the chosen technology tools.
It had not thought about using a system where the kids could interact with each other.
Communicaiton is once again focused on as a key. Knowing what tools are available and the correct type of audaince is really important. Phone conversation for 1 on 1 and small group may work but for larger a tool like Hangout or Zoom may be better when participants can be muted and control who talks.
i've learned the value of online content and keeping them engage with it.
In this module I have learned that even though the students are online we will still need to find an effective way to communicate with them.
Students can learn and communicate through various outlets. Be sure to test them and know what resources the students will need to make it successful.
Communicating with Students --> Technology Tools for Effective Communication
There are many different technolgy-based tools for effective communication, understanding the purpose and ability of each tool can effectively convey the message that meets the instructor as well as students' needs.
In this course we learned of many different technological communication tools to assist with communication at all levels. Email, social netwroking sites, voip's, sychronous meeting platforms, are all excellent tools depending on what the intended information is going to be. You want to determine what works best for you and your students before implementing. Always allow for feedback and adjustment as your class evolves.
I am a new online instructor and all of this information will be helpful to me. Learning the abreviations was also interesting and knowing that social networking can play a part in teaching online courses.
Communication and feedback is the goal for online and face 2 face interactions. It needs to be effective to foster student instrcutor relationship.
That there are technologies suited for communicating with individual, small, large, and social groups. That the appropriate tool should be selected depending on it's function, technical know how, availability and student need; and that the tools must be used effectively. That evaluation of the effectiveness of the technology and I2S,S2S,S2I is an ongoing process from formative to summative evaluations.
I intend to learn effective use of as many on-line communication tools as possible and continue learning new ones that are applicable for the students.
I learned a lot about how tech based communication falls into 3 categories. I never realized that it broke down into small group, large group software, and then social networking sites and how they are used based on the different sizes of the class. I will try a few different methods to see what works best for me and my students.
I think assessing the tools for effectiveness is very important. It might work for one teacher and not another. You should try it out before putting it out there to students as well.
I learned that one strategy that I use to motivate students through online lesson activities, is to make their learning authentic. Authentic learning for our students (experienced teachers) means to apply theories and concepts that we read about weekly and apply them in their own classrooms and lesson plans
