There are many obstacles instructors and learners must address when it comes to adult and distance learning. When teaching in the online learning environment, both in that classroom and work environment, it is necessary for instructors to be both engaging and interesting to maintain motivation and curiosity in participants. This is a challenge for classroom and online instructors alike. Here are some suggestions one can use when seeking to encourage participation and active learning in the online learning environment and beyond…
Let the Deliberations Begin!
Debate: A role I enjoy on an everyday basis is playing devil's advocate. I have always gravitated towards teachers that played this role with the students and are able to provoke deep thought on any given subject matter. Invite students to do the same by asking them to post provocative questions to their classmates in a synchronous chat room to encourage debate. By reversing the role of instructor - learner the hope is to foster a learning environment of dialogue and inquiry in which students, with the guidance of the instructor can actively participate as a learning community.
Presentation is Everything…
Classroom Presentations: The right presentation is everything, in the classroom and in the boardroom. Teaching students how to utilize design software is a useful skill they will use well beyond their academic years. This format of learning has always been interesting and challenging for students and instructors alike. One of the advantages of online learning is the ability to utilize various software programs to illustrate ideas and concepts in an interactive model of learning. One suggestion is to ask students to make use of programs like PowerPoint or InDesign to upload presentations onto a program such as BlackBoard and allow classmates to ask questions, assess the content and context of the materials and later critique presentations in an asynchronous discussion forum.
Melanie - I too enjoy being devils advocate. In fact, I wrote about that on a discussion board in another class this semester! It is good to start a class with a critical thinking question, then let the class discuss, and I as a teacher can be the devils advocate. Then it may enlighted students to see more than one side in their thinking. Hopefully, this will translate into other aspects of their lives as well!
ReplyDeleteThanks for referencing how PowerPoint can be an effective learning tool. Though we hear a lot about "death by PowerPoint," I believe that a well-planned PowerPoint along with other learning methods can be very effective!
ReplyDeleteThanks guys... I just decided it was best to address this matter from a perspective I'm familiar with... Sometimes just by asking deeper questions, I tend to find an answer... It is one instance were more is more... If that makes any sense...
ReplyDelete