What impact does technology and multimedia have on online learning environments?
E-mail, announcements, and discussion forums are the basic technological tools to guide learning and build an effective online learning environment (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010). Audio and video lectures help with creating a media-rich learning environment by providing accessibility and usability, since they are available at any time during the semester. Blogs are online journals that capture student's thinking and understanding of the subject, and serves as an avenue for others (including the instructor) to make comments and suggestions. Similarly, Wikis are a collaborative project tool, that supporting student collaboration and teamwork on projects. Text messaging, instant messaging, and Twittering are important tools that faculty can use for quick information checks for students, such as the time before an assignment is due. Other positive impacts include decreased material costs, by creating the environment online, improved training costs, and further savings through decreased travel and reduced material (Tom, 2010). There is also increased productivity and efficiency, since e-learning is not bound by geography or time.
What are the most important considerations an online instructor should make before implementing technology?
Before implementing technology, at the start of an online course, part of the instructor's responsibility is to ensure that all learners are engaged, present, and participating (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010). It is also important to ensuring that students have basic technology skills and knowledge for online learning. In the first week of the course, students should create posts about getting acquainted with each other. In my opinion, this is where they post brief biographies, along with some of their interests, hobbies. After the getting-acquainted posting, students should identify their learning goals for the course, which helps to provide insights into the learners' knowledge, confidence, and experience with the course content. As a "social and cognitive negotiator", faculty members have to provide positive, supportive, and encouraging comments about the overall course process and clarify course expectations and learning experiences in the course requirements. Instructors then have to focus on designing and organizing engaging and challenging discussion questions with clear rubrics for assessing the online discussions.
What implications do usability and accessibility of technology tools have for online teaching?
Usability is defined as the extent to which specified users use a system to effectively and efficiently meet specified goals. (Irbe, 2012). Accessibility is the ability of a learning environment to adjust to the needs and preferences of all learners. Accessibility is contingent on the environment, tools, abilities, or disabilities. Usability and accessibility for online teaching accentuates the importance of not only providing physical access to learning, but providing access to online learning for all learners, including special needs learners. This can be accomplished through application of Universal Design for Learning principles. The system’s design with particular attention to features of the user interface are important usability factors for learners with disabilities. Accessibility and usability also impacts pedagogical effectiveness, and compliance with anti-discrimination legislation (Cooper, Colwell, & Jeffs, 2007). Other aspects of accessibility and usability include consistent navigation, the ability to change font and picture size, properly labeled and visible links, and visually appealing and safe graphics (Irbe, 2012). Proper implementation of accessibility and usability positively impacts online learning experience for all learners.
What technology tools are most appealing to you for online teaching as you move forward in your career in instructional design?
Blogs, wikis, social media, PowerPoint slides, streaming audio and video, and videoconference tools are the most natural and appealing online teaching tools for instructional design. Furthermore, I did some research and found some other examples of useful technology tools that are appealing. EduBlogs is a site that I used in a previous course, and offers a safe and secure place to set up blogs for personal or educational use (Writer, 2012). Additionally, the functionality of creating and managing blogs for students gives teachers the ability to decide if students can post on blogs, and approve posts and comments. Skype can be a great videoconfereincing tool for keeping in touch with students, educators, administrators, and other professionals, and for attending meetings online. Teachers are able to connect with other classrooms internationally. Twitter is a social media tool for teachers to connect with other educators, participate in chats, and share and exchange ideas with various users. Google Education is also particularly appealing, with email and collaborative apps, videos, lesson plan search, professional development, and educational grants.
References:
Boettcher, J. V., & Conrad, R. (2010). The online teaching survival guide: Simple and practical pedagogical tips. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Cooper, M., Colwell, C., & Jelfs, A. (2007). Embedding accessibility and usability: Considerations for e-learning research and development projects. ALT-J: Research in Learning Technology, 15(3), 231-245. Retrieved June 5, 2013 from http://www.slideshare.net/martyncooper/embedding-accessibility-and-usability-considerations-into-elearning-research
Irbe, A. (2012). e-Learning Accessibility & Usability. Retrieved June 6, 2013 from https://www.ssbbartgroup.com/blog/2012/04/09/e-learning-accessibility-usability/
Tom (2010). Why E-Learning is So Effective. Retrieved June 6, 2013 from http://www.articulate.com/rapid-elearning/why-e-learning-is-so-effective/
Writer, G. (2012). 50 Education Technology Tools Every Teacher Should Know About. Retrieved June 6, 2013 from http://www.edudemic.com/2012/08/50-education-technology-tools-every-teacher-should-know-about/
Marker clustering is also a excellent technique for capturing user experience map a third important piece of information about places, which is density.
ReplyDeleteDavid, thanks for highlighting the need to apply Universal Design for Learning principles to address issues surrounding usability and accessibility. Since usability and accessibility issues have the potential to affect effective use of technology, they should be amongst some of the most important considerations that the instructor needs to take into account before implementing the technology.
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ReplyDeleteHi David
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing information in regards to universal learning design. Just recently I was contacted by a recruiter looking to fill positions of instructional designers experienced in Section 508 compliance for a contract with a K-12 school. I wish I asked more details, but because I am not looking for work at the moment she didn’t go into more details. So I started to research what Section 508 was, and I realized that this is the same law that protects students with impairments to obtain all necessary support for learning. I need to start expanding my resume and learn to design including students that require additional accommodations. I now understand that as Instructional Designer, I need to continue to learn more about designing for all types of learners with different needs.
Hi Sonia
DeleteI am a special education teacher and attempt to differentiate instruction on a daily basis for students with IEPs and 504s. For our self contained classes we develop specially designed instruction which attempts to meet the needs of each individual student. On the lines of designing individualized instruction I just recently read an article in time magazine about a company called "Knewton". The article "A is for Adaptive" (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2145048,00.html)discusses various ways companies are creating online adaptive learning, which provides instruction using various learning accommodations and styles based upon an individuals learning profile. Interesting read.
Lou
Hi David
ReplyDeleteI like the fact that you included accessibility for individuals with disabilities. I have found that the new tablets have a tremendous impact when accessing learning for students with disabilities. They are small, adaptive, utilize touch, voice, providing a multi-sensory approach to learning. Thanks for the post.
Lou