E-Learning Teaching Strategies
Below are four common features of a successfully designed and managed online course and a variety of teaching strategies that can be used. All information was found at The Illinois Online Network and in the book "Teaching and Learning Online."
Dialogue
Discussion
"Discussion is the instructional strategy most favored by adult learners because it is interactive and encourages active, participatory learning. The discussion format encourages learners to analyze alternative ways of thinking and acting and assists learners in exploring their own experiences so they can become better critical thinkers. The discussion is often the heart of an online course." In online courses, discussion can occur in a variety of ways, including through discussion boards, online social networking sites such as facebook and AIM, and online video conferencing systems such as Skype.
The benefits of discussion is that students are able to collaborate with other students and can receive feedback from their instructors. It also keeps students from feeling isolated, as it helps to create a community of learners, where ideas are shared and the students' voices are valued.
The benefits of discussion is that students are able to collaborate with other students and can receive feedback from their instructors. It also keeps students from feeling isolated, as it helps to create a community of learners, where ideas are shared and the students' voices are valued.
Debates
In a typical debate, a student or group of students is assigned a pro or con side of a debatable issue. The students then work together to defend their stance, using research and prior knowledge. This works well with older students, but can flop if students are uncomfortable "attacking" the other side. It is important to think about the age and maturity level of students prior to implementing a debate in the course.
Involvement
Role-Play
In a role-play, a student steps into another person's shoes and writes or acts on behalf of that person. This requires the student to think from another perspective and to get actively involved with the learning process.
Games
There are a variety of learner-centered games that teach students about a variety of concepts and skills.
Forum
"The forum is an open discussion carried on by one or more resource people and an entire group. The moderator guides the discussion and the audience raises and discusses issues, make comments, offers information, or asks questions of the resource person(s) and each other."
Support
E-Lectures
This is the most traditional way of teaching, where teachers act as experts and impart knowledge to their students. This can be done in a number of ways online, including through video, audio, or through text. It is most affective when used in combination with other strategies.
Mentorship
The teacher acts a mentor, or the student has another person to guide them and act as a mentor. The aim of mentorship is to promote learner development drawing out and giving form to what the student already knows. "A mentor serves as a guide rather than a provider of knowledge and serves the function of introducing students to the new world, interpreting it for them, and helping them to learn what they need to know to function in it. Mentors in education teach by interpreting the environment and modeling expected behaviors. They also support, challenge, and provide vision for their students."
Mentors help students feel involved in their learning. Students may feel overwhelmed or uncertain of the technologies being used or the learning they are doing. having a mentor allows them the opportunity to seek help in a comfortable atmosphere. The dialogue between mentor and students helps students to receive timely feedback and also to feel more included in the class.
Mentors help students feel involved in their learning. Students may feel overwhelmed or uncertain of the technologies being used or the learning they are doing. having a mentor allows them the opportunity to seek help in a comfortable atmosphere. The dialogue between mentor and students helps students to receive timely feedback and also to feel more included in the class.
Control
Learning Contracts
"A learning contract is a formal agreement written by a learner which details what will be learned, how the learning will be accomplished, the period of time involved, and the specific evaluation criteria to be used in judging the completion of the learning. Learning contracts help the educator and learner share the responsibility for learning."
This strategy encourages students to set their own objectives for the course, thus taking ownership of their coursework. Because the student chooses what and how she will learn, she will be more involved and excited about the learning process and will likely be more intrinsically motivated to learn. It also holds them accountable for their own learning.
This strategy encourages students to set their own objectives for the course, thus taking ownership of their coursework. Because the student chooses what and how she will learn, she will be more involved and excited about the learning process and will likely be more intrinsically motivated to learn. It also holds them accountable for their own learning.
Self-Directed Learning
"Self-directed learning is learning initiated and directed by the learner and can include self-paced, independent, and individualized learning as well as self-instruction. Whatever terminology is used, self-directed learning places the responsibility for learning directly on the learner. Learners who take the initiative in learning and are proactive learners learn more and better than passive learners (reactive learners). Proactive learners enter into learning more purposefully and with greater motivation. They also tend to retain and make use of what they learn better and longer than reactive learners. The independent learner is one who is more involved and active within the learning process.
"Online learning supports the self-directed learner in pursuing individualized, self-paced learning activities."
"Online learning supports the self-directed learner in pursuing individualized, self-paced learning activities."
Projects
Online projects can be set up so that students are able to meet the objectives they have designed for themselves. These can be done either individually or in groups, using online editing and social networking sites. Upon completion, these projects can be viewed by others in the class, which will allow the student receive feedback from others and to feel more included in the class, or they can be solely viewed by the individual who completes the project, which could be beneficial for the student who fears sharing their work. The facilitator (teacher) can comment on and assist students along the way. The project can also be one that lasts for a short period of time, or it can turn into an e-portfolio, which is a lengthier project that can last throughout the entirety of the course.
