One major factor that separates a passive learning experience from an active and engaging learning experience, regardless of the medium, is the amount of interaction facilitators have with their students. Terence, Ginny, and Carolyn will be presenting at the first annual Ohio Learning Network Spring Colloquium in Columbus on April 11. The focus of the panel is to talk about the different ways we have helped instructors enhance their online presence to foster an engaging learning environment. We will discuss some of the communication and collaboration tools that can add a human element to the online classroom.

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DESCRIPTION

The 21% growth rate for online enrollments far exceeds the 2% growth in the overall higher education student population (Sloan C). The demand for access to online courses is incredibly evident. One major factor that separates a passive learning experience from an active and engaging learning experience, regardless of the medium, is the amount of interaction facilitators have with their students. Quality course content is not in short supply online. In fact, MIT offers the content from almost all of their courses online for free. The glue that binds quality content with active learning experiences are the teachers who make themselves available, give timely feedback, and provide opportunities for students to take an active role in their own learning.

A recent article in the NYTimes suggested that students need to build meaningful relationships with their teacher and peers in order to be motivated to succeed. This can be difficult in an online course if teachers rely solely on the learning management system. We, as educators, can leverage the popularity of the social web in a way that interaction and communication become central to the learning experience.

The focus of this panel is to talk about the different ways we have helped instructors enhance their online presence to foster an engaging learning environment. We will discuss some of the communication and collaboration tools that can add a human element to the online classroom.

Topics will include:

  • Techniques to make the best use of your time in the Discussion Board
  • Using Google Docs’ live editing features for interactive tutoring, collaboration, and feedback.
  • Encouraging students to connect outside the classroom through social networking and media.
  • Create engaging content and lectures by integrating social tools.