Blueprint for Effective Conversion to Distance Education by Tamara Dawson e-Learning Instructional Designer Southern Nazarene University
Dec 13, 2015
Blueprint for Effective Conversion to
Distance Education
by Tamara Dawson
e-Learning Instructional Designer
Southern Nazarene University
Growing Industry
• 65% of reporting institutions view online learning as a critical part of their long term strategy
• 6.1 million online students during Fall 2010 semester• 10% increase from 2009• 31% of all higher education students take online courses• SNU online enrollment statistics
How do institutions embark on e-learning?
Statistics from Going the Distance: Online Education in the United States, 2011
2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-20120
100200300400500600700
95
252316
519444
638
SNU Online Enrollment
Implementing e-Learning: Support Systems Needed
• Create Online Resource Center
– Develop Methodology
– Train Faculty
– Setup and Evaluate Courses
– Screen and Enroll Students
– Provide Support for Faculty and Students
Additional Support Systems Required
• IT Help Desk
• Online Library Support
• Virtual Leaning Environment (VLE)
Course Delivery System
• Train faculty and students regarding use
• Maintained and well-organized
• Smooth transfer of content
Implementing e-Learning: Curriculum Development
• Focus the content
• Create diversity in curriculum
• Various media strategies
• Assortment of learning activities
• Encourage Communication
• Group discussions
• Collaborative assignments
Curriculum DevelopmentBroadbent’s 5 Stage Model
• Stage One - Access & Motivation
• Stage Two - Online Socialization
• Stage Three - Information Exchange
• Stage Four - Knowledge Construction
• Stage Five - Development
Course Design Recommendations
• Provide clear communication procedures
• Engage the learner
• Develop individual and group activities
• Specify precise guidelines
• Deliver immediate, relevant, continual feedback
Online Challenges for Instructors
1. Increased work load
2. Overcoming distance barrier
3. Engaging students
4. Identifying learning styles
5. Keeping up with technology
Online Challenges for Students
1. Understand technology and internet
2. Communicate effectively
3. Disregard cultural implications
Addressing Key Concerns for Instructors
• Course pairing and online mentors
• “Guide on the side” pedagogical approach
1. Starter
2. Conceptual facilitator
3. Reflective guide
4. Personal muse
5. Mediator
6. Role Player
– Adapted from Virtual Classrooms: Delivering Courses Online by Broadbent, 2002, chapter 8.
Addressing Key Concerns for Students
• Advise students of technological needs
• Utilize learner readiness tools to target students’ strength and weaknesses
• Create a welcoming environment for all cultures
Reap the Rewards – Strive for C’s
• Create a support system
• Construct a welcome environment
• Compile various online learning activities
• Connect with students
• Cheer students to success
References
Allen, I & Seaman, J. (2011). Going the distance: Online education in the United States, 2011. Needham, MA: Sloan Consortium. Retrieved from website: http://www.onlinelearningsurvey.com/reports/going thedistance.pdf
Azer, M. & El-Sherbini, A. (2011). Cultural challenges in developing e-learning content. International Journal of Educational Technology, 6(1), 11-14. doi: 10.3991/ijet.v6i1.1467
Borrego, J. (2010). Roadmap for a successful transition to an online environment. Contemporary Issues in Education Research, 3(5), 59-66.
Broadbent, B. (2002). ABCs of e-learning: Reaping the benefits and avoiding the pitfalls. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer
Humphries, S. (2010). Five challenges for new online teachers. Journal of Technology Integration, 2(1), 15-24.
Palloff, R. & Pratt, K. (2001). Lessons from the cyberspace classroom: The realities of online teaching. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education. Boston, MA: Pearson
SmarterMeasure™ (2012). Learning readiness indicator. Retrieved from http://www.readi.info/
Zsohar, H. & Smith, J. (2008). Transition from the classroom to the web: Successful strategies for teaching online. Nursing Education Perspectives, 29(1), 23-28.
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