Setting Up An Online Learning Experience

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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).  

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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).  

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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.  

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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.

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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.

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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.