Creating Successful Online Learning Environments

Activities

VCC workshop

March 2009

Tannis Morgan

Online activities can be…

• Individual • Group• Single-shot• Multi-staged• Visual• Text-based• Interaction-based• “live”Anything to add?

Class activity spaces

The old standby: discussion forums

• Why they work• Things you can do with

them—types of activities• How to manage

• De Bono’s hats

• The minute paper

• Small group problem scenarios

• Anything to add?

Discussion forum activities

Elluminate or “live” classroom sessions

• Why they work• Things you can do with

them• How to manage

Class activity spaces

Synchronous chat• Things you can do

with them• How to manage

Class activity spaces

Other useful tools for activities:

• Google docs• Wikis• Bubble.us• Gliffy

Feedback

Giving individual feedback on online activities:

• Most underused but helpful—voice in combination with rubrics– Word Notes– Audacity– Oovoo

• Group feedback—schedule a “live” session

Feedback

• Most overated—taking the back seat in discussions ‘guide on the side’

Feedback

• Most common mistake—too many activities, not enough clarity in how should proceed and do the activities

• The importance of estimating student and instructor workload.

Final thoughts

• do we agree? anything to add?

Connecting the dots

• Where are the gaps between content, interactions, activities?

• What is the thread pulling the student through?

• If in doubt…get feedback– Student poll– Discussion topic

Thanks!

• Revisit this presentation and resources at http://testingcentre.wordpress.com