Proposals

Instructional Technology Conference 2009

Title: Collaborate, Engage, and Interact in Online Learning

Name: Lisa Rich, Ph.D., Wendy Cowan, Ph.D., Michael Gibson
Athens State University, Athens, Alabama

Audience: Faculty

Audience Level: All

Length: 1 Hour

Abstract: With the rapid growth of its distance learning offerings, Athens State University has found that it is of the utmost importance to employ teaching methodologies that engage students, provide forums for collaboration, and encourage interaction. This session, designed for practitioners, will detail ways to incorporate asynchronous/synchronous technologies, blogs, and wikis into online courses through approaches such as; a) course orientations, b) student introductions, c) virtual study groups, e) exam reviews, and f) student presentations.

Description: As online course offerings increase in colleges and universities, it is of the utmost importance for faculty to employ teaching methodologies that engage students, provide forums for discussion, encourage student interaction, present modeling for understanding, and meet the needs of all learning styles. The convergence of evolving e-learning systems, the advent of social software, and the maturity of the Net Generation have provided faculty members with exciting, new opportunities to develop a sense of community among students by integrating software technology like blogs, wikis and synchronous collaboration tools into e-learning classes. The challenge for educators is to determine how best to utilize collaborative technologies, such as Wimba Live Classroom, to engage and educate a new generation of learners - students who have grown up communicating through cell phones, text messaging, online chat, and social networks.

Many early implementations of e-learning in higher education focused on the distribution and delivery of course content and the ability of the student to access this content in primarily asynchronous, internet environments. Faculty worked to mirror their traditional course design and pedagogy in the new e-learning environment using learning management systems. The result was often high failure and high drop-out rates, and complaints from students that while they enjoyed the convenience of e-learning, they missed interaction with faculty and collaboration with classmates.

This session is designed and presented by faculty for practitioners who are looking for creative ways in which to use blogs, wikis, class recordings, and synchronous collaboration to build a sense of community within their distance classes. The session will detail a variety of innovative ways in which faculty can successfully incorporate these collaborative technologies into online courses through the use of such inventive approaches as; a) course orientations, b) student introductions, c) virtual study groups, d) exam reviews, and e) student presentations. Session presenters will demonstrate how these examples have been used to enhance the curriculum of undergraduate business, education, arts and science students in campus and online classes at Athens State University. Student and faculty commentary will be provided for each approach along with supporting documentation.

Session presenters will address challenges faced by new users and innovative strategies for creating excitement among faculty members to adopt the technology products in their courses. Session attendees will leave this presentation with more than just great ideas to take home and implement. E-handouts will be provided that include step-by-step directions for designing, implementing, and assessing collaborative sessions as well as student instructions for participation.

Session Type: Lecture/Presentation

On-Site Equipment Requirements:

Contact Information/Affiliation:
Lisa Rich, Ph.D.

Wendy Cowan, Ph.D.

Michael Gibson