SETTING UP AN ONLINE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

As educators, we prepare ourselves with the essential tools for learning when teaching in a face-to-face environment. The online learning environment is no different. We as educators have to come prepared with the ability to understand and use the essential tools within the virtual learning environment. Several key factors in setting up an online experience include knowing the technology available to you, understanding how to communicate clear expectations to learners and considering any additional factors that would make setting up an online experience successful.



What is the significance of knowing the technology available to you?

Knowing the technology that is available to you allows the instructor to establish and create learning experiences that engages and challenges the students.

Basic Tools include: course template, discussion forums, grade book, blogs, audio software, Wikis, Course Management System, plagiarism software, social networking sites, and synchronous tools.

It is vital that you add tools only as you are ready. If a tip suggest a tool that is not available to you or you are not quite ready for, simply adapt the tip as makes sense to you and come back to it for further consideration the next time you are teaching the course (Boettcher, J & Conrad, R p. 58).



Why is it essential to communicate clear expectations to learners?

Communicating clear expectations is essential because it ensures that the learners understand what to expect from the instructor and what the instructor is to expect from the learners. Sometimes using a set of tools may not work well which a sometimes set up an area for possible misunderstandings. Clarifying how all this will work and sometimes might not work can help create a smooth and trusting learning environment (Boettcher, J & Conrad, R p. 55).



What additional considerations should the instructor take into account when setting up an online learning experience?

When an instructor is setting up an online course learning experience, additional considerations

or elements should be:

•Finding out who is responsible for setting up the course site
•Review text
•Prepare an online syllabus
•Weekly teaching guide
•Set up a discussion boards & rubrics
•Become familiar with library access
•Technical support
•Plan a course schedule
•Assessment plan
•Review action plan
•Ask for feedback from another instructor ((Boettcher, J & Conrad, R p.66).


A successfully launched online experience should have the look of a virtual community where learners are communicating and interacting with each other, the instructor and the resources. Many factors contribute to this success. The components that would assist me in setting up this online instruction include finding out who is responsible for the course set-up, weekly teaching guide, and tech support. As the roots of a tree help to support a growing tree, these components serve to support online instruction.



References:

Boettcher, J. V., & Conrad, R. (2010). The online teaching survival guide: Simple and practical pedagogical tips. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Online Learning Communities

Online learning communities are great places where facilitators and learners are equal participants. As the educational environment has moved for some from the traditional education environment to an online environment, it is important to have an effective environment to meet the needs of the participants. There are several key questions to ask when looking at online learning communities.

How do online learning communities significantly affect both student learning and satisfaction within online courses?
Online learning communities significantly impact both student and student learning and satisfaction within an online course by bringing students together. The students along with faculty within this environment can explore content together to construct meaning and knowledge about the content.
What are the essentials elements of online community building?
The essential elements of online community building include the people, purpose, and process. The people are brought together and supported by the facilitator. The purpose is established and the process deals with the way the course is delivered. Included in this, is the ability for participants to draw information out of one another. Through this, participants can receive professional feedback from their peers. The role that the facilitator plays is important because it is essential for the learner to know how they will be supported in the learning community. Lastly knowing the rules of engagement is essential. How will learners engage? How often will learners be expected to participate? How often does the institution expect learners to participate for official purposes? Knowing the roles that each of these plays is essential to online community building

How can online learning communities be sustained?
Learning communities can be sustained by:
1) Collaborative activities between the learners
2) Continuing reflecting
3) Transformed as learners
4) Increased self-direction
5) Reinforce their sense of presence
It is the responsibility of everyone learner and facilitator to create a successful learning community.

What is the relationship between community building and effective online instruction?

The relationship between community building and online instruction is very close. The facilitator is to be involved in the process of building the community. The facilitator set the tone. It is his job to
1. Make the course easy to navigate
2. Make the classroom feel warm and inviting rather than cold and formal
3. Visit the classroom multiple times per day during the 1st 2 weeks
4. Welcome students to post a bio
5. Relate to students personally
6. Develop an ice breaker


My role as a facilitator will be very important in designing an online course. With a plan and an understanding of student learning and the essential components, I feel that I now see the larger picture in planning an online course. Futhermore, I recognize the importance of not just transferring information from a course in a traditional setting, but designing a course to have the impact that is necessary for learning.

Week One: Online Instructional Strategies

Hello Everyone,

Glad to take this journey together as we embark on this online learning ride. Looking forward to learning and sharing with you.

Karen

Analyzing Scope Creep

I had the privilege of serving as a volunteer on a committee that provided food baskets to families who were in need. The committee started with over 15 volunteers ranging in age from 14 – 85. Twelve women and three men volunteered. Everyone was excited because this new initiative would serve local community families. Before the program actually began, several meetings were held and plans were eagerly made. Dates for distribution and the annual budget were set. Fundraiser ideas were discussed, officers were elected and the date was set for the pantry’s grand opening. After a few distribution of food baskets , we realized that we had several problems or should I say scope creep challenges.
1. The budget was not large enough.
2. We needed more men to help when food had to be picked up, delivered and stored. (Most members were female senior citizens over the age of 70).
3. There were scheduling conflicts with members who worked and were not able to participate in all events.
4. We had trouble keeping the food pantry stocked.
5. The food pantry was broken into and food was taken.
At the time, some of the issues above were addressed in numerous ways.
1. To address the budget, we had several fundraisers.
2. To help with stocking foods at the food pantry, local boy scouts were recruited to help with the unpacking.
3. Schedules were made out 6 months in advance and sometimes incomplete or inaccurate.
4. Created an inventory chart for inventory.
5. Door lock changed.
How could this project have been better managed to control the scope of the project?
1. Budgets could have been managed better by taking into account a change in prices of resources; allowing for unexpected circumstances and changes that require purchasing items for restocking.
2. Involving all project stakeholders including volunteer groups such as the boy scouts or another organization would be instrumental when extra hands are needed for physical activities. (Involving the right people)
3. Schedules should have been made out for the year and stakeholders who were assigned should have received some type of communication prior to the date for which they are signed up to assist. (Key word: Communication)
4. Create forms for inventory and train each member on its use.
5. Make room in the budget for unexpected circumstances.

Scope creep can determine the success of a project. With the right tools and planning, a project can escape the clutches of scope creep and achieve the goal.

Reference:
Portny, S. E., Mantel, S. J., Meredith, J. R., Shafer, S. M., Sutton, M. M., & Kramer, B. E. (2008). Project management: Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling Projects. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Communicating Effectively

Wow. This was really a great assignment. After all, we communicate everyday using one of the three modalities or sometimes all three and I guess I really never gave thought to the topic “The Art of Communication”. As I read the e-mail, listened to the voice mail, watched and listened to the face-to-face message, I saw the slight differences that each form of communication can make when delivered in different formats. My interpretation of the message was the same from each modality, but I think the tone and urgency that was set made all the difference.
The e-mail was very wordy and confusing at first. I had to read it several times to totally understand exactly what was requested of the receiver. I found the e-mail to be a bit confusing and the tone that was set was panicky with a sense of confusion. The second form of communication the voice- mail, I felt was more direct and firm in its’ tone. There was a sense of urgency without panic or confusion. The last form of communication face to face had a soft and friendly tone. The message was very clear.

As Dr. Harold Stalvich stated, 93% of communication is not words. Effective communication is influenced by spirit and attitude: tonality and body language and the personality of the recipient. When communicating with members of a project team, effective communication can accomplished by integrating at least two forms of communication to convey a message. Sharing through writing for example, allows the project manager to provide historical records of the information shared ( Mantel, Meredith, Portny, Shaffer & Sutton p. 358). Face to face sharing can help project managers learn team members’ backgrounds, experience, and styles. It can provide a forum for people to explore the reasons for and interpretations of a message ( Kramer et al., 2008 p. 60).

Therefore, project managers need an effective way to share information. As a project manager I would use written and face-to-face as my primary forms of communication. Voice mail could then be used a resource for reinforcement.

References:
Portny, S. E., Mantel, S. J., Meredith, J. R., Shafer, S. M., Sutton, M. M., & Kramer, B. E. (2008). Project management: Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling Projects. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Laureate Education (2010) Media “Communicating with Stakeholders.”

Learning from a Project “Post-Mortem”

My assignment is to recall a project that I worked on in the past that was not successful and did not result in the desired outcomes. I decided to focus on a personal project that I chose to work on this past summer. For the past year, I had been planning to paint both of my bathrooms in my home. This was the first time I decided to paint without consulting my husband (the subject matter expert ha ha). Well, when I started out I did not label this event a project, but I guess if I did, maybe I would have turned out better results. After looking at the five phases of the project, I have come to the following conclusion:
Phase I: Determine Need and Feasibility

I did a poor job of identifying all the projects deliverables when it came to having the needed equipment to complete the job. I had purchased the paint a year earlier, and did not mark the color of the paint on the top of the can. In addition, I had some of the paintbrushes and masking tape in the house, but was unable to locate all of the necessary equipment because I had packed the items in a box a few months ago when I was tidying up the basement. Because I was unaware of all the items that were already in the house, I went and purchased many unnecessary pieces of equipment.

Phase II: Create Project Plan

Since I did not determine my exact need before I started the project, I overestimated and spent unnecessary monies for items that were not needed. If I had involved other people to be on my team such as my husband, (the subject matter expert) may I would have known where the supplies were before spending any extra money. There were early warning signs that problems might occur later, because it was taking too long for even the masking tape to be put in place for painting because I never seem to have any time to accomplish the task.



Phase III: Create Specifications for Deliverables

Reflecting back on the project I clearly see that I left an important player out as a team member. This project team member could have contributed his time and expertise, which could have helped with accomplishing the task.

Phase IV: Create Deliverables

The work process for this project could have been improved by coming up with a time schedule for completing the project from start to finish. It would have been more helpful to have more than just myself to work on the project. Lastly, monies could have been spent more wisely if I had taken an inventory of the equipment beforehand so I would not end up with two or more of the same items.

Phase V: Test and Implement Deliverables

What was the end result? The bathrooms were painted, however not during the specific time schedule. Was the customer satisfied? Yes, the customer was satisfied with the results of the job, however the cost to complete the job was above the estimation and the project fell behind the scheduled finish date. Therefore, the project was seen as not being completely successful.

Project Management in Education and Training

Hello Everyone,

I am looking forward to sharing with you and learning from you, my fellow classmates as we embark on this journey into the world of Project Management in Education and Training (EDUC 6145).