Fulfilling the Need for Real-Time Interaction in the Online Environment
description
Transcript of Fulfilling the Need for Real-Time Interaction in the Online Environment
Kathy Carrigan, ChemistryKatie Leonard-Floyd, Aviation ScienceMaria Michalczyk, Institute for Health ProfessionalsGreg Kaminski, Distance Education
Portland Community College
Overabundance of “text” in online courses Missing instructor voice in delivery of
content Lack of instructor/student voice in
interaction Few opportunities for real time interaction Potential feeling of isolation Lack of clear visual examples (especially given
a need to show a flow of solving something)
Uses (including tools, format, logistics, requirements)
BenefitsStudent impressionsConsiderationsSupport IssuesFuture implementation
Participant windowText chatAudioPollingWhiteboardPowerPointShare applicationWeb tour
Mandatory orientation during first 2 weeks
“Live” IT support available if students have technology problems
Team taught, live interactive (synchronistic) tutoring/help sessions
Tablet laptops (expensive) but darn nice. Tablets to plug into your computer . “Pen” and whiteboard to answer the
many types of chemistry questions. Math calculations showing unit factor
work Draw formulas Write reactions Lewis Structures Draw hydrogen bonding examples!
Weekly meetings at set time (condensed “lecture”)
Highlights & time to ask questionsSome students stay longer for study
groupSome view recordings
Healthcare Interpreting Training Program: 100 hours of curriculum delivered over two terms.
Course subject such as Spanish/English Medical Terminology, Theory and Labs
International reach: Japanese/English Medical Terminology taught from Japan Fall 2008.
Need for synchronous meeting time – lots of oral work.
Required orientation in Elluminate
Department meetings PCC: 4 main campuses Instructional Support dept. (my group)▪ Half of all meetings virtual ▪ Save at least $45 mileage/meeting (if 3 people
traveling)
▪ Plus about $75/meeting in time spent driving ▪ At least $1,100/yr (only a group of 5 people)
Best Practices sharing sessions (Distance faculty) Various themes: promoting interaction,
group work, assessment, retention, time management…
Exploring TLC virtual sessions (Teaching & Learning Center)
Expand accessibility
Bring in power points used for on campus “lectures”.
Stop and add in clean boards (fresh pages) to work examples and answer live questions.
Use voice and drawings to explain complicated concepts.
Increase student retention: (both numbers of students remaining in class after the 3rd week, and the amount of information students retain)
Increase in student self confidence. Relieves that isolation experience that
DL students feel. Connects students to each other in a
more personal way. Adds personal touch – humor comes
through!
Students have more confidence in asking each other questions by utilizing the discussion board.
We connect with students in a very real way, bringing in humor and humanizing the course.
We feel like we are teaching, facilitating learning and interacting with students in a way similar to being in class with them.
Students know where to go for help. Students can revisit recorded sessions. Save money & travel time.
Instructors: Hesitant to use initially, but then tend to
find it useful and not overly complicatedStudents
Tend to get into it more easily
Keep the “line” open 24/7 so students can connect with each other and work in groups.
Set up more “rooms” for small group work for labs, projects, homework, etc.
Instructors need to learn how to support students from more distant locations, e.g. Hawaii, Caribbean, Tuscany…..
Equipment, Software Speakers or headset mic (optional) Java plugin (test setup at
http://www.elluminate.com/support/)
Learning curve for instructors / students
Training (virtual) and documentation Also promote training through
Elluminate
Expense PCC will continue supporting Elluminate,
though on a somewhat reduced scaleOther web conferencing tools
available See comparison guide
Use of Elluminate at PCC: Improves student interaction, feeling
of community, retentionProvides avenue for highly
productive synchronous meeting time
Allows for more audio / visual presentation to help meet the needs of a different learning style