 |
| Picture Credit -
|
There are essential preparations that must be made to set up
an online learning experience. First and
foremost the instructor must get to know his/her students (Laureate Education,
Inc., n.d.). Instructors can create
brief audio snippets, use avatars or post their picture and biography that
contains personal information at the beginning of a course (Laureate Education,
Inc., n.d.). One of the best ways to begin any online course is to focus on social presence activities for students
and faculty first and foremost (Boettcher & Conrad, 2011). This will create trust among the students and
the instructor (Boettcher & Conrad, 2011).
 |
| Picture Credit - www.edtechworkshops.com |
Knowing the technology available is significant in online
learning because students will have to be able to use these technologies
throughout the course. The best rule for
teaching an online course for the first time is to keep it simple (Boettcher
& Conrad, 2011). A primary tool that
will be utilized is the course management system (CMS) where documents can be
uploaded, setting up discussion forums, using gradebook and assigning groups
for large classes (Boettcher & Conrad, 2011). Adding tools gradually will be beneficial to
the success of a first online course.
You can venture out later when teaching the course again to be more
creative (Boettcher & Conrad, 2011).
There are a plethora of tools available however focusing on the tools
needed to teach the course are essential (Boettcher & Conrad, 2011).
 |
| Picture Credit - www.articulate.com |
It is critical to communicate clear expectations to students
because it will ensure a smooth launch of the course and it will give students
a “bird’s eye” view of the course so they can plan their lives around their
studies (Boettcher & Conrad, 2011).
Also using weekly teaching guides will give the students the goals,
purposes and activities for the week.
Most online learners have families and jobs and will need to know what
is expected of them in a course.
 |
| Picture Credit - haydenwilcox.edublogs.org |
Additional considerations the instructor should take into
account when setting up an online learning experience is information that can
assist students throughout the course.
Knowing how to access information in the library, contacting technical
support, contact information for non-course specific matters and plagiarism
information are vital to students feeling comfortable in an online course
(Boettcher & Conrad, 2011). In
addition to these elements instructors must make sure students are able to
access their passwords to get into the course, find a pertinent information and
have a telephone number they can call in case they are not able to access their
instructor or technical support via the internet. Ensuring learners know how to navigate
through the course is a must. How to
post to the discussion board, do students have their resources (textbooks and
software if required), have they posted their get-acquainted message and does
the course schedule work for them are more considerations that need to be
addressed.
 |
| Picture Credit - blog.boulderdigitalarts.com |
Setting up an online learning experience will take a lot of
preparation and skill. However, once the
course has been set up and the instructor and learners are on their way to
learning the content for the course the only thing left to do is to improve the
course from the mistakes that are likely to be made Making sure students feel
a part of the online learning community and are comfortable with the course
will ensure a successful learning experience for the students and instructor
(Boettcher & Conrad, 2011). As
students assume more independent and collaborative roles and responsibilities,
the instructor can become a co-community member and not the leader (Boettcher
& Conrad, 2011).
from the first time setting
up the course. |
| Picture Credit - emergingtech.tbr.edu |
To implement a successful online learning experience in the
future I must make sure my students feel a part of the learning community. I must make sure my students have everything
they need to be successful in my course by giving them all the tools required
for the course. And lastly, I must make
sure they are able to navigate through the course with ease and know who and
how to contact someone in case of problems whether technical or personal.
References
Conrad, R. &
Donaldson, J. A. (2011). Engaging the Online Learner. Activities and
Resources for Creative Instruction. (pp. 9, 11). San Francisco, CA:
Jossey-Bass.
Laureate Education,
Inc. (Producer). (n.d.). Launching the online learning experience.
