Top Ten eLearning Mistakes Teachers Make and How to Avoid Them
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Transcript of Top Ten eLearning Mistakes Teachers Make and How to Avoid Them
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