Strategies & Tools for Engaging Learners

Link to Graphic Organizer:

http://prezi.com/nsvxglxije7x/strategies-tools-to-engage-learners/

Reflection:

Online learning environments are most beneficial for all participants when appropriate tools and strategies are incorporated which allow for learner involvement. Appropriate amounts of strategies which increase content knowledge, encourage communication among peers and instructors, and facilitate effective problem-based tasks in the online environment must be implemented. Technological tools are used on a regular basis outside of the classroom.

Siemens (2008) implies that the modern Web supports a variety of media resources which can be incorporated into the design of an online learning course.  As a middle grades teacher, I have found the online resources provided by www.gaggle.net to be an effective and innovative instructional resource. Although my classroom instruction is not facilitated through an online outlet, it allows me to provide students with opportunities to participate in the online learning environment. This type of activity introduces students to the idea and benefits associated with distance learning programs. Gaggle is a safe online learning environment that improves communication among students, provides space for electronic file storage, motivates students to use current technology, and allows teachers to move towards a paperless classroom.  Gaggle allows the teacher to create assignments incorporating a variety of technological tools: blogs, class discussions, email communications, message boards, and gaggle text messaging. Communication is facilitated and encouraged while also providing parents with easy communication channels to stay abreast of student assignments and participation. Durrington, Berryhill, and Swafford (2006) imply that communication is a vital factor in creating an effective online learning experience. Using the various applications provided by Gaggle, the instructor/teacher is conveying the importance of communication to students and parents. Students will become engaged when this type of technological tool is incorporated because it provides opportunities to use tools that are commonly used outside of the learning environment. Another innovative tool that can be used in the online learning environment is www.prezi.com. Students can collaborate to complete assignments using this presentation software. Instructors/teachers can also create a variety of presentations to convey important concepts to students. To present content material in an innovative fashion, other online resources are available without incurring additional costs. Glogster (www.glogster.com) allows the creation of “posters” to present information. Not only can instructors benefit from this resource, but students can also use this website to collaborate and complete project-based assignments or to complete assignments independently.

Regardless of one’s position in the online learning environment (either student or facilitator), there must be clear guidelines and expectations. Communication must be facilitated in a variety of manners to ensure clear understandings of content and guidelines. Collaboration among students and with the instructor is also a vital component of the effective online learning experience.

Resources:

Durrington, V. A., Berryhill, A., & Swafford, J. (2006). Strategies for enhancing student interactivity in an online environment. College Teaching, 54(1), 190−193.

Siemens, G. (2008, January). Learning and knowing in networks: Changing roles for educators and designers. ITForum.

Module 3: Assessing Collaborative Work

Dr. Siemens (Laureate, 2008) suggests that education has taken a strong shift from rote memorization to a more participative pedagogy in which collaboration and teamwork is emphasized and encouraged. Additionally, Dr. Siemens (2008) describes several models for assessment in a collaborative environment:

• Students assess their peers: Having students assess their peers using rating scales takes much of the responsibility for assessment of the educator. This is particularly effective in online learning communities as it is a means of developing a sense of community among the members. Understanding the need for collaboration and the benefits of sharing ideas, concerns, and misconceptions will ultimately ensure that learners are able to submit the most effective work samples and/or compositions.
• Students receive feedback from online communities: Participation in online communities can be assessed in a variety of ways. The most evident and important means of assessment is through feedback from learning community members. Direct feedback permits open communication among members, increasing collaboration, and ultimately creating a stronger sense of community and the development of relationships among community members.
• Educators assess based on student contributions: The facilitator/teacher can easily check the amount of participation and contribution by each member in online communities because changes and updates receive a timestamp and can even send email notifications.

Fair and valid assessment ensures all students are expected to reach the same program outcomes. Students enrolled in a collaborative learning community will not always possess the same level of skills and knowledge. As a facilitator/teacher of a distance learning program, it is important to consider factors of this nature prior to the beginning of a course. The instructor of distance learning classes will take on numerous roles. One of these many roles will include analyzing the participation of all members of a learning community. Palloff and Pratt (2007) suggest that the instructor act as a facilitator and cheerleader, motivating students to dig deeper and extend discussion topics. If a student does not want to participate in a learning community for an online course, the other members of the learning community should work to foster a stronger relationship. If after continuous attempts to engage the reluctant learner no change takes place, the instructor should take the lack of participation into consideration when assessing the student. A rubric is an excellent means of ensuring all students are graded according to the same standard and expectation in a clear and concise manner.

References:

Laureate Education, Inc. (2008). Assessment of collaborative learning. Baltimore: Author.

Palloff, R. M., & Pratt, K. (2007). Building online learning communities: Effective strategies for the virtual classroom. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Module 3: Storyboard

By clicking the link below, you will be able to access my storyboard creation for Module 3. Once the website opens, simply click "Download" to view the PowerPoint.

Development of Critical Thinking Skills