Week 6

Greetings fellow Learners,

The learning environment that I am focusing on is the transition of a face to face Technical Support college course to an online or a blended format. As I learn about new technologies, I am examining how I am able to incorporate them to this endeavor. To fully understand how to best utilize these technologies I must also examine the standards and expectations of my environment. I will also need to understand what is currently in practice from a traditional sense and determine what is working as well as what might need some improvement. I also should look at my own learning experiences and challenges to see what I can learn from and adapt my environment to be improved for future learning environments.

Meeting the Expectations

When developing a course for an online or a blended format I must meet the guidelines of the institution that will offer the course, the standards of governing agencies, and expectations of the students that will be taking the course. I have been reading the guidelines of the Distance Learning department of the institution where I work and the Faculty handbook to determine a starting point of what is expected from the Instructor of an online course as well as the course material.

In addition to the Institutional guidelines and expectations are those of the accrediting body. For the Institution I work at this is the Middle States Commission. These guidelines can be found at http://www.msche.org/publications_view.asp?idPublicationType=5&txtPublicationType=Guidelines+for+Institutional+Improvement .

I have also examined some standards that have been in place for online learning in the K12 environment. These standards are important as this will show what future students will expect from a higher education course as they have already been subjected to these standards. I am reviewing materials from iNACOL which is the International Association for K12 Online Learning and can be found at http://www.inacol.org/ . In addition to these standards, I also have been examining the Section 508 compliance regulations that are the Federal regulations for Accessibility. These guidelines and standards can be found at http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it .

Current and Traditional Practices (Delivery Methods)

Traditional course material delivery is what we are all accustomed to. We attend a face to face class setting in a brick and mortar environment.  The instructor delivers a lecture using common presentation methods such as Power Point or overhead slides and notes on a whiteboard/ blackboard. We are given reading assignments to support the given lecture and written assignments to enhance the reading and lecture. The learner’s progress is then assessed through an examination or project that will display the mastery of concepts.

Current practices for online delivery can differ from traditional methods in many ways. The online environment has become more self-learner driven and the Instructor has become a guide through the learning process by providing reading and assignments that will prompt the learner to explore deeper into concepts. The learner is expected to take an active part in their learning process through online discussion forums and written assignments. The assessment process can also be of a traditional sense such as examinations but tend to be more projects driven to display the true mastery.

My Own Learning Experience

While I can appreciate both methods I prefer the online environment for my own personal learning style, but, would like more of the Instructor lecture of a traditional method. I have heard the argument: “If a face to face Instructor was to enter a classroom, write on the board to read chapters 3 through 6 of a textbook then write a 3 page paper on the topic and discuss the topic with your fellow classmates. Then the Instructor leaves. Would we think that they have accomplished their job?” As I can understand the belief that this is what happens in an online class setting, I have to say that it is not and it is no comparison. I have been learning the complicated intricacies of designing a course for distance learning and I must say, “what an eye opener!”

What I wish to accomplish is bringing the best of both environments into one complete learning environment through the use of technologies that will allow an Instructor to present a traditional lecture, prompt for a deeper research and discussion, display the mastery of concepts all while utilizing distance learning. I wish to break the barrier of learners needing to be directly led to learn but still involve methods to guide them to an element of literacy.