Building better learning online

In this clip Kristin Swanson identifies from extensive research factors that diminish the effectiveness of online learning.  She believes that the single most factor that online students experience is isolation and that they feel marooned. They do the required tasks and then they are 'done'.   She recommends three strategies that teachers keep in mind when implementing online teaching:  collaboration, student synchronicity, use of multi-media, and, recognizing that 70% of human communication utilizes intonation and body language, find ways to incorporate these into the programme.  This clip led me to reflect on my current online learning, i.e. my MA studies, and reflect on the purpose of the discussion threads, the feedback from tutors and the encouragement of student-student interaction.   I was not actually aware of the important of these elements, but appreciate now that they are embedded in pedagogical research.  While I teach face-to-face, my current course incorporates the use of a computer management system, Moodle, and this provides students with the opportunity to access self-study materials, review and preview.   The information is 'out there' in my mind, but on several courses the students evince disengagement.  The salient lesson for me to take from this is to build in more interactivity such as student-student and uploading items that have an accountability attached to them, rather than an option.

Swanson, K. (2012, January 22). Building better learning online [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNjd6JJYDP4&playnext=1&list=PL4C94F7769FF1ED66&feature=results_video

Students' IT desk design

I've set up this blog as part of post-graduate studies in Online Teaching & Learning for Adults.
I put it to my students to design the best IT learning environment for themselves and this is what they told me:   The entire desk top would be a screen and their textbook would be an e-book.  All classwork and homework would be using this mode and there would be no paper handouts.  In essence many classrooms may operate similarly with much work online, however, the stand-up laptop screens, or standing tablets, operate as a barrier and the teacher can never be sure what's on the screen.  The students (young internationals) were very enthusiastic about their table top screen and so am I - the barriers being a serious drawback at present.