MODULE+7

=Online Teaching and Learning=

DESCRIPTION This module was about characteristics of online teaching and learning, and how those characteristics differ from traditional face-to-face classrooms. it also addresses the online learner, discussing characteristics that are necessary of success. Online learning requires the student to be self motivated and disciplined, and to set and maintain goals. Online learners are responsible for their own learning. Online teachers must be aware of the various learning needs of the online learners. Online teachers must be available to their students, not only online but through another medium, such as telephone. Online teachers must also recognize that online learning requires that instructions need to be very clear and very descriptive to insure the online learner's success.

IMPACT My online learning experiences have prepared me for the challenge of teaching my students through an online medium. However, I must say that I was not a big fan of online learning at first. I had not experienced this style of learning until I began my masters. I felt like I was "dumped into" my first online courses, and I struggled to simply understand how to function in the online learning environment. Doing the assignments weren't difficult, the difficult part was figuring out where to find the assignments, and figuring out what the assignment itself actually was. Now in my second semester, the routine has become easier, and I am familiar with the typical flow of an online class. I have recognized that online courses offer a plethora of information, so much so that it can become overwhelming. Though a good online instructor offers descriptive instructions, some online instructors take this to the extreme--I've experienced one class where I feel like I'm navigating a maze just to find the assignment. I like having a syllabus that includes all the information needed for the course--expecations, grading scale, assignment list with due dates, and short synopses of what the assignments will entail. I also appreciate those online courses that offer occasional face-to-face meetings. I feel that the best online teachers have a complimentary mix of clarity and description in their instructions.

INTENT based on my experiences, I now how important it is to make online instructions clear. for younger students, I think clarity will be more important than description. I've implemented Edmodo in an attempt to introduce my students to online learning, and I have found students struggle with clarity. many of my students are below average readers, so this tells me they are not comprehending what I've written. I have noticed I get better results if I verbalize the instructions before the online learning experience. I plan to continue to use Edmodo, hopefully tweaking my online teaching skills through trial and error. I like that online learning forces online learners to be responsible for their own learning. So many times in the classroom I see students who have become lazy, who simply want the answers handed to them. Online learning could possibly be the answer to this degradation in student accountability and motivation. I've only recently implemented online learning through Edmodo, so it's difficult for me to say exactly what the learning implications will be. After utilizing it for a year, I'll be better prepared to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of my students as online learners.

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES strengths: i'm getting better as an online learner. I have begun to implement online learning in my classroom. weaknesses: I need more practice myself before I am truly comfortable facilitating online instruction