“It is not about the technology; it’s about sharing knowledge and information, communicating efficiently, building learning communities, and creating a culture of professionalism in schools. These are the key responsibilities of all educational leaders”. ~ Marion Ginapolis, 2016 What impact does technology and multimedia have on online learning environments? “Technology has affected not only how we teach but how our students learn. (Conrad and Donaldson, 2011)” Technology provides opportunities for collaborations that cross cultural and geographic boundaries. It allows access to information instantly from across the globe. Imagine taking a distance learning course that was designed without Web 2.0 technology tools or multimedia resources. The prospect of spending a course in isolation while reading plain text on a screen would send millions of learners into a coma and signal the end of online learning. “These tools make it possible to design almost any learning experience that you have designed for your face-to-face environment. (Boettcher and Conrad, 2010, p. 59)” Technology offers us the ability to create a social experience in the online learning environment. It provides interactive ways to build learning communities and engage the online learner. Technology also provides a bridge between online learning and accessibility. Technology tools and multimedia in the distance learning environment are critical to creating an equivalent and positive online learning experience. What are the most important considerations an online instructor should make before implementing technology? There are many factors to consider when selecting technology tools and multimedia for the online classroom. “While the technology should not be the primary focus when planning an activity, choosing the most effective means of conducting the activity will be an important contributor to its success. (Conrad and Donaldson, 2011)” Just because new and exciting technology exists is not a good reason to implement it into your course. A good starting place involves focusing on the essential technology tools required for your course. This includes the CMS, communication tools such as email and text, audio/visual tools, and necessary collaboration tools such as blogs or wikis. Your selections should be based on cost, ease of use, functionality, and accessibility for all students as well as other factors. A critical consideration when selecting technology tools is, “…how transparent the tools are to the community host and members. In this case, transparency refers to ease of use and assimilation of the tools into the online learning experience. The more transparent the tools, the more they will be used. (Adams and Freeman, 2003)” You should also keep in mind what are the learning objectives and if the technology will support those goals. What implications do usability and accessibility of technology tools have for online teaching? If the technology tools selected for an online course are too advanced or complicated it may deter learners and contribute to attrition. If the tools selected are too expensive or require advanced computing power to execute, that may also cause issues. The accessibility of a technology tool is also an issue for some learners due to disabilities or age. Personally, the ability to increase the size of fonts when using a technology tool is critical to my learning! “Many individuals with disabilities enroll in online learning because it may provide easier access for them due to their disabilities. Online learning may not require transportation, expensive residential housing, or other potential barriers that individuals with disabilities face with resident instruction educational programs. (Betts, Riccobono and Welsh, 2013, p. 12)” Providing an online course that uses technology that is accessible to all is an opportunity to retain and increase the effectiveness of an online program. “Institutions of higher education that are proactive in the realm of providing equal access will not only increase revenues, but will also provide better opportunities for individuals with disabilities who will be in better positions to obtain gainful employment. (Betts, Riccobono and Welsh, 2013, p. 12)” What technology tools are most appealing to you for online teaching as you move forward in your career in instructional design? “The key to creating a positive experience is to identify the students’ needs and then incorporate activities that address their various learning styles, life experiences, and expectations. (Conrad and Donaldson, 2011)” Simple technology tools that provide social and collaborative opportunities are of interest me as an instructional designer. Tools that provide accessibility are also extremely important. “To optimize learners' experience and the efficacy of learning outcomes, instructors need to consider how technology can offer approaches better suited to adult learning. (Lambert et al., 2014)” I will utilize tools such as screencasts, discussion boards, web chat, email, text, voice threads, and mobile technology tools. I will introduce technology tools early in the course as, “the best way for students to learn to use the online course tools is to actually use them. The more opportunities that are made available to students to increase their comfort level with course tools, the sooner the actual course content can be introduced. (Conrad and Donaldson, 2011)” Whatever technology is selected, I will ensure that it was the best technology to support the activities and learning outcomes, not because it is the newest and coolest! What technology tools do you use in your online courses that have the most impact? References
Adams, E. and Freeman, C. (2003) The technology source archives - selecting tools for online communities: Suggestions for learning Technologists. Available at: http://technologysource.org/article/selecting_tools_for_online_communities/. Creative Commons (2016) File: Software-tools.jpg - Wikimedia commons. Available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Software-tools.jpg. Conrad, R., & Donaldson, J. A. (2011). Engaging the online learner: Activities and resources for creative instruction (Updated ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Betts, K., Riccobono, M. & Welsh, B. (2013). Introduction to the special section on integrating accessibility into online learning. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 17, 1-5. Boettcher, J. V., & Conrad, R. (2010). The online teaching survival guide: Simple and practical pedagogical tips. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Lambert, C., Erickson, L., Alhramelah, A., Rhoton, D., Lindbeck, R. and Sammons, D. (2014) ‘Technology and adult students in higher education: A review of the literature’, Issues and Trends in Educational Technology, 2(1).
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2/10/2017 07:20:27 am
Hi Stacy,
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