top ten elearning mistakes teachers make and how to avoid them
DESCRIPTION
“The Top Ten eLearning Mistakes Teachers Make and How to Avoid Them”, presented at the Maryland Society for Educational Technology (MSET)TRANSCRIPT
Top Ten eLearning Mistakes Teachers Make & How to Avoid Them
Greg Williams, Ed.D.
www.umbc.edu/isd
Greg Williams, Ed.D.
Director & Assistant ProfessorUMBCwww.gregwilliams.net
3
Unclear Objectives1. Unclear Objectives
Problems With Objectives
• Why have them?• Can be hard to measure• No-no words• Map to course content
ABCD Method
A = Audience
B = Behavior
C = Condition
D = Degree
Poor Instructional Objective
At the end of this course, students will know how to be better typists
2. Poor Assessment
Poor Assessment
• Pre-course assessment • Knowledge, skills• Learning preferences• Online class candidate?
Poor Assessment
• Do not assess at all or properly• Assessing the wrong things• Periodic & variety of assessment• Rubrics, e.g. Sister Veronica’s
grading
3. Poor Course Site Navigation
Poor Course Navigation
• Implications• Simple is good• Start slow• Course Tour• Scavenger Hunt
Poor Course Navigation
• Consistent with syllabus• Help for “lost” students• Three before me• Examples
Greg’s Online Communication Assumption
I can take a few days off
and not check in online
Communications Issues4. Communication Issues
Communication Issues
• It’s a new world (every day)• Easy to mis-communicate online• Think, and then think again• Set expectations
Communication Issues
• Keep it simple• Clarify and confirm• Using the phone is OK
Online Course Example
I can take a few days off
and not check in online
Don’t Leave Communication to Chance
5. Inadequate Feedback
Inadequate Feedback
• Takes variety of forms• Establish guidelines• Establish timeframes• Meaningful & specific
Inadequate Feedback
• What does success look like?• Link feedback to rubrics• Sister Veronica’s grading
6. Poor Materials & Resources
No “Page Turners”
Poor Instructional Materials
• Don’t match objectives• Appropriate for online delivery• Provide supporting materials• Include additional resources, links
Poor Instructional Materials
• Variety of instructional strategies• Use familiar technology (YouTube)• A website is not a course
ENDSame Content – Different Reactions
END7. No Learner Interaction
Learner Motivation?
No progresswithout
mistakes
No Learner Interaction
• Tap student experience & expertise• Activities to link w/ objectives• Foster connections between students• Consider some groups projects
Activities
No Learner InteractionVariety & Choice
8. Improper Use of
Technology
Infatuated with Technology
ENDHate the Technology
END
Variety of Choices
Use Familiar Technology
What’s Next?
Learning Tools
Jane Hart’sCentre for Learning
& Performance Technologies
http://c4lpt.co.uk/recommended/
9. No Learner Support
No Learner Support
• Instructional & technical• Troubleshooting help• Online Resources (library, tutorials)• Tools supported by IT• Link to school’s academic support
No Learner Support
• Teacher, school, students• FAQs• Link to school’s support• Three before me
10. No Planning for Predictable Problems
Typical Issues
• Communication• Participation• Students “missing in action”• Course Expectations• Technical• Grading & late policies
Possible Solutions
• Clear syllabus• Course tour• Three before me• Start slow• Back-up Plan (PC Access)• Use FAQs
Final Thoughts
• eLearning not going away• Not for everyone• Be open to possibilities• Experiment• Nut and bolts are easy• Future career opportunities
Maryland Online“Quality Matters”
Initiative