bb w2012 k watson communication strategies for online education
TRANSCRIPT
Communication Strategies for Online Education
Karen Watson
Director of Online InstructionFort Valley State University
• Located in Fort Valley, GA
• 3,500 students
• 1/3 of students live on
campus
• Offer eCore and other online
programs
• 94% African American
About Fort Valley State University
• GeorgiaVIEW used by University System of Georgia
• 4 BA Degrees offered & one counseling program
• Online advising and support services
*Class Differences: Online Education in the United States, 2010
FVSU Online
Blackboard Products - Working Together
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At Fort Valley State University, Blackboard Connect,Collaborate and Enterprise Instant Messenger areused to help improve student engagement andretention in online classes.
Connect
Connect Group:
• At the start of each new term, students
enrolled in at least one totally online
section are added to a special group
within Connect.
• The group is updated as new students
complete the registration process.
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Connect
How used?
• The Group is sent messages via phone, email and text message.
• Phone numbers and email addresses come from information provided in Banner, our student information system.
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FVSU: You are invited to a web conference on May29 at 5PM to welcome you to Summer 2012. The link to this conference has been sent to your email.
When Used?
• At the beginning of a new term, students are
notified about the Orientation to Online Instruction
session that is held using Collaborate.
• At various points during the semester students are
sent reminders about important events or critical
dates, such as semester midterm and final exam
dates.
• Faculty members can request that a message be
sent to students who are at risk due to failure to
log in and complete assignments.
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Pros and Cons
Pros
• Students receive information in
multiple ways and to phone
numbers and email addresses that
students are more likely to check.
• All students receive the same
information.
• Can personalize the messages
using voice calling and text
Cons
• Students do not always provide the
correct information or provided
incomplete information.
• Sometimes students are added to
the group and then drop the online
section so the information does not
apply.
• The group is not updated until after
the current semester is over so
messages cannot be sent prior to
the start of late registration.
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Collaborate
• Using Connect, students are sent the link to Blackboard Collaborate
(formerly Wimba Classroom) sessions that:
• Provide students in online sections with information concerning logging in
and participating in an online class
• Introduce students in online programs to members of the Administration
• Within online sections, professors use Blackboard Collaborate (formerly
Wimba Classroom) to help students understand important class
material.
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Enterprise Instant Messenger
• During the Orientation to Online Instruction
session in Collaborate, students are provided
information as to how register their Blackboard
Enterprise Instant Messenger account and how
this tool might be used in their online classes.
• BB IM is used for:
• Instructor virtual office hours
• Communication among students, faculty and staff
• Advisement
• Library services
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Working together
By combining multiple communication tools:
• Students are provided information about the tools needed to be successful in the online environment
• It is easier to reach out to students who otherwise might be lost
• Students have an opportunity to be greeted by University Administrators
• Students are able to participate in a synchronous session where questions/concerns can be addressed
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Questions
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