In a recent issue of Online Cl@ssroom, columnist, Errol Sull
reflected on the considerations of adopting new tools in an online course. In
light of my own online classroom experience, and his suggestions and reminders,
I have put together a few rather broad ideas for consideration:
Prepare to learn with
and from your students. Provide a (monitored) sounding board via a
discussion for students who might need a bit of encouragement or direction when
using new technology for a project. Be flexible but firm when you introduce a
new tool. Applaud if they discover something new or problematic. Teaching
students to think and solve problems, is never out-of-date.
Seek help! Each
new piece of software, is likely to have a corresponding blog, forum, or email
newsletter. Take advantage of these. Sometimes you can find tips and ideas that
don’t come with the software guides.
Keep students in
mind. Technology choices should never be about less time teaching, but
rather time used more effectively. Students will continue to need you, no matter
how cool the tools, to answer questions, focus and motivate, reduce anxiety,
and hold the flashlight when they need help.
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