Online Learners - SIG Proposal
Developed as part of Michigan State University's Educational Technology Program
CEP 812 - Spring term 2010
SIG Members
Craig McMichael, Katie Lorey, Heather Mayernik, and Jeff Dagg
Objective
The purpose of the SIG is to gather information about online learning so that people, or organizations, interested in online learning have a "one stop" resource for getting started.
Background
Online education is a rapidly growing phenomena at all levels of education. States, like Michigan, are beginning to require that students have an online experience prior to graduation and are publishing guidelines on what online experiences should include. The four common places of education for online learning are outlined below:
Teacher
Is the person(s) developing and/or delivering the content and managing the course. The teacher may need to be a content area specialist as well as a guide on the side. The teacher needs strong technology skills in order to facilitate communication as well as provide assistance with hardware and software. The teacher needs to be accessible outside the hours of a traditional "9 to 5" job.
Student
The student is someone enrolled in the online course. Students need to have basic technological literacy, such as keyboarding skills and will need to have access to technology as well as connectivity. Students need to be able to manage their time well. Students may be of different ages, come from different backgrounds, live in different geographical areas, and possibly different time zones. They may have special needs and may not all speak the same language.
Subject Matter
Online learning is possible for all subject areas. Some areas may have special requirements such as laboratory classes or performing arts. Resources will vary by subject areas but will likely include different media: images, video, audio, web sites, and simulations.
Context
The teacher may be teaching a face to face class, a blended curriculum, or a completely online course. The teacher and students will need access to a learning management system and possibly auxiliary tools for assessment, documenting grades, and communication.
The SIG will be focusing their efforts in the following areas (subject to modification):
Defining Online Learning(Jeff Dagg)
A brief overview of the online learning world.
Comparing and contrasting Learning Management Systems (LMS) for look and feel, costs, user groups, and support.
Pedagogy(Katie Lorey)
A discussion of teaching and learning strategies for online learning
Online learning requires a battery of tools for:
While you look through this site, make sure to click on the topics themselves for an overview of the subtopics. Get ready to learn!
CEP 812 - Spring term 2010
SIG Members
Craig McMichael, Katie Lorey, Heather Mayernik, and Jeff Dagg
Objective
The purpose of the SIG is to gather information about online learning so that people, or organizations, interested in online learning have a "one stop" resource for getting started.
Background
Online education is a rapidly growing phenomena at all levels of education. States, like Michigan, are beginning to require that students have an online experience prior to graduation and are publishing guidelines on what online experiences should include. The four common places of education for online learning are outlined below:
Teacher
Is the person(s) developing and/or delivering the content and managing the course. The teacher may need to be a content area specialist as well as a guide on the side. The teacher needs strong technology skills in order to facilitate communication as well as provide assistance with hardware and software. The teacher needs to be accessible outside the hours of a traditional "9 to 5" job.
Student
The student is someone enrolled in the online course. Students need to have basic technological literacy, such as keyboarding skills and will need to have access to technology as well as connectivity. Students need to be able to manage their time well. Students may be of different ages, come from different backgrounds, live in different geographical areas, and possibly different time zones. They may have special needs and may not all speak the same language.
Subject Matter
Online learning is possible for all subject areas. Some areas may have special requirements such as laboratory classes or performing arts. Resources will vary by subject areas but will likely include different media: images, video, audio, web sites, and simulations.
Context
The teacher may be teaching a face to face class, a blended curriculum, or a completely online course. The teacher and students will need access to a learning management system and possibly auxiliary tools for assessment, documenting grades, and communication.
The SIG will be focusing their efforts in the following areas (subject to modification):
Defining Online Learning(Jeff Dagg)
A brief overview of the online learning world.
- history and future
- standards and initiatives
- types of online learning: online objects, blended, and fully online
- example schools and curriculum
Comparing and contrasting Learning Management Systems (LMS) for look and feel, costs, user groups, and support.
Pedagogy(Katie Lorey)
A discussion of teaching and learning strategies for online learning
- age appropriateness
- netiquette
- collaboration
- accommodating special needs
- delivery
- assessment
Online learning requires a battery of tools for:
- assessment
- communication (discussion boards, e-mail and resources like: Adobe Connect, Skype
- tutorials
- import/export - running reports
While you look through this site, make sure to click on the topics themselves for an overview of the subtopics. Get ready to learn!
