Here is the test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished: if you're alive, it isn't.

http://www.edudemic.com/2013/07/the-6-types-of-assessments-and-how-theyre-changing/?utm_source=EDU-Brief+l+SF.com+7%2F23%2F2013&utm_campaign=EDUBrief+Newsletter+SF.com+7%2F23%2F2013&utm_medium=email

Make those photos your own

Create a Logo, Banner, or Graphic using Pixlr With this tool you can customize any photo without needing to create an account or downloading any software. And we can all rejoice in one less password to remember!! Go to http://pixlr.com my Pixlr attempt of a standard newspaper cartoon Applications Pixlr is easy to use and offers many options from simple to very advanced set of editing tools. A recommended first implementation of this tool for within an online course is to develop a customized course banner. The banner would include the name of the course and faculty with contact information. Then the course would have its own unique stamp with all the important information clearly listed at the top. Pixlr can also add a customizable edge to PowerPoint presentations and the development of web pages. Images can be made to appear old and worn, such as in the example above, or can be manipulated to communicate a dramatic effect or undertone of the image. How to do it? Two Options (or a combination): Use the Photo Editor | Use the Retro Vintage Effects (similar to Instagram) I prefer to actually use a combination of both to get the best output: First go to Retro Effects > Select the image you saved earlier Set the Filter you like best > Move to Next Step (>>) Choose an effect you’d like to use > Move to Next Step (>>) Add a Border Effect you’d like > Click Next Step (>>) and Save to Your Computer Next we can add text to our Logo/Banner: Go to Photo Editor > Click Open Image from Your Computer Add Text, Add/Modify Anything You’d Like! Save to your computer If you just need a basic banner (no retro image), then use THESE instructions: To create text, with basic backgrounds: Go to Photo Editor > Click New > Enter  a Title and use the “Banner” Preset Pick a Background Color, Add Text, Add Anything You’d Like! Save to your computer That’s it! Here’s a great YouTube Channel with Tutorials: Link to Channel

Nature of Online Learning

We find that online education is currently in a major state of growth. What will online education look like in 30 years or 10 years? We don’t know. However, one thing is for certain is that online education is here and prevalent across businesses and education.

the e-learning revolution

Impact of the Recession

The recession has caused a growth in online education and the demand of accredited high-quality courses as the American workforce seeks certifications and degrees to advance their economic position. 

The intensified focus on this mode of learning has also caught the attention of the department of education, with developing regulations to weed out the imposters and fortify online education as a feasible alternative to the traditional classroom. 

these numbers will continue to change as the economy changes

What is it like to learn online?

The belief that the student can be successful in this environment is a self-fulfilling prophecy.  

E-learning self-efficacy has emerged as a significant predictor of barriers. An inverse relationship exists, meaning that high self-efficacy leads to a perception of fewer barriers.

Courses must be actively involved in strategies that can improve students’ self-efficacy.  

really, it's not this bad

Flipped classroom model

Online learning enables student-centered teaching approaches. 

Often in the online learning environment the flipped classroom model is deployed. 

Every student has their own way of learning that works best for them. For example, some learn visually while others do better when they “learn by doing”. 

The inversion occurs when the traditional classroom teacher’s role of delivering lectures and assigning homework becomes the person leading group activities while assigning lectures and readings as homework.

The model has concept engagement taking place in the active classroom. Students within this model should demonstrate self-initiated participation.

this method of instruction can also be used in the traditional classroom

The Commitments

The online learning process is normally accelerated and requires commitment on the student’s part.  

Staying up with the class and completing all work on time is vital.  Once a student gets behind, it is very difficult to catch up.  

Basically, the student needs to want to be there, and needs to want the experience.

How to advise students to be successful learners in an online course?

1. Be able to communicate through writing.
2. Be self-motivated and self-disciplined.
3. Be willing to "speak up" if problems arise.
4. Be willing and able to commit to 5 to 10 hours per week per course.
5. Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of the learning process.
6. Be able to think ideas through before responding
   

some tips to share with students to be successful

Future's so bright I gotta wear shades

Distance education is currently in a state of major growth. Venture capitalists have pegged online learning as the next gold rush and expect the phones to start ringing with businessmen wanting to sell you everything they can. I gathered some thoughts on the future and sharing some items that attention should be brought towards. 

keep digging john, there is some online education in there somewhere

Regulations

Accreditation and program approval will be based more on educational outcomes. Some predictions that by 2025, there will not be one national accreditation system, although the U.S. Department of Education will provide a basic safety net for quality.

Distance educators must plan to accommodate this emphasis on accountability if they are to maintain accreditation and meet consumer demands.

now i have this song stuck in my head ....

Technological devices are becoming more versatile and ubiquitous

One of the most apparent trends affecting distance education is the advancement of technology.

Infrastructures are growing stronger as computers double in speed while decreasing in cost, and high-speed network connections continue to expand.

New technology will transform higher education as we know it today, one example being the changes caused by broader use of e-readers and smart phones.

and they all make phone calls!

Technological fluency becoming a graduation requirement

The networked world is dominating the economy, increasing the power of the individual, and changing business models, no one can afford to be without computer competence!!

Higher education is beginning to list the fluent use of technology as an outcome skill.

some good thoughts on learning

Lifelong learning is becoming a competitive necessity.

Alvin Toffler wrote, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who can’t read and write. They will be those who can’t learn, unlearn, and relearn.”

How well can higher education respond?

some good parting thoughts here

Land ho!!

Be the instigator of innovation and design

There is an increasing need for learning and teaching strategies that exploit the capabilities of technology. While many studies have shown no significant difference when comparing online with traditional courses, applying traditional teaching strategies at a distance often causes frustration! Distance learning research should focus on delivery strategies that help solve the capacity constraints, economic concerns, and higher-education consumer needs. 

Perhaps the biggest challenge is the lack of vision and the failure to use technology strategically The challenge is understandable, given the complexity of the issues involved. Institutions needs to understand where distance education fits in its vision of the institution's future and in its mission. 

land ho!

Flexibility and portability in program structure

Students are shopping for programs that meet their schedules and circumstances. Don't be afraid to investigate the unbundling of courses, credits, services, and fee structures. Seek efforts to expand access to more students, alleviate capacity constraints, capitalize on emerging market opportunities, and serve as a catalyst for institutional transformation 

Instruction is becoming more learner-centered, non-linear, and self-directed. Higher education that offers distance education are often perceived as modern and technologically competent, thus creating a competitive advantage. 

student centered learning

The distinction between distance and face-to-face education is disappearing.

Digitally enhanced courses provide students in traditional classrooms with more opportunities for independent study. Even in a conventional ‘face-to-face’ system, students spend much of their time working on their own. 

face to face interaction

Academic emphasis is shifting from course-completion to competency.

Related to the shift toward accountability, there is a slight shift from theoretical and seat-based time to outcomes-based or even employer-based competency.

competent that I can

listening to the question

As our little guy is beginning to cruise along the furniture and figure out how to open cabinets I can see his eyes fill up with questions. "Why are there pillows on the couch? Those work just as well on the floor." "Why can't we stay up all night?" and "I wonder what dog food tastes like . . . . ?"

Questions are a rudimentary method of finding answers or solutions to problems. When a student asks a question in the online environment we no longer have the visual cues that an instructor may have grown accustomed to. In online situations, take the time to listen to the question.

The following are four types of questions that you may encounter while teaching at a distance.

High order questions

A student that has a good understanding of the materials may be seeking  further development of the materials as a method to deepen their understanding. This student's question may not refer to the assessment but to further question the materials.

Take the time to provide encouraging feedback for their inquisitiveness and follow-up with reflective listening skills. A student demonstrating a higher-order of mastery of a subject  will appreciate an instructor that will engage in an online conversation of analyzing and evaluating content.

walking order

The lazy questions

You will have those students that ask questions that could have been found in the syllabus, a course announcement, or a discussion board post. A quick reaction would be to think the student has a lack of interest in the course or just didn't bother with the time to find what they are looking for.

When this occurs in the online environment take a moment to stop and think about the question that is being asked. Their may be more depth to the "lazy questions" for distance education courses. The student might be confused on the assignment, has trouble reading the materials, or can not locate an item within the course postings.

This student may not have yet developed the ability to ask 'good questions' in the online environment. This is a skill that students and instructors develop with experience. This is also the reason why other communication methods such as video posts and audio messages are catching on. They give back the ability to "talk" that early methods of online education took away from the educational experience. 

Besides answering the question, engage them into a conversation. The goal with the "lazy student" is to keep the conversation going. Ask questions that require them to refer to the course materials and apply their understanding of facts, NOT just the knowledge of them. If a student can not answer you appropriately then you know that they are struggling in the course. 

Provide resources, contacts to online tutors, and/or a meeting to help that student succeed. Students do talk, and having a reputation of an instructor that is devoted to student success will have your sections filling fast, more courses in demand, and become a mentor for fellow faculty. 

lazy smurf

The lost questions

This type of question may take the most time to answer. However, they are very important to address to prevent drop-outs. Instructors would be surprised to learn the number of students that drop a course because the online environment seemed too challenging. Even in the first week before they would even ask the teacher a question! 

A confused student may require some close monitoring and hand-holding to get through the initial issue. But usually if this first problem is handled well then the student will become more independent. Also, receive this situation as an opportunity to ask yourself if the course is setup logically? Do the titles of items make sense? Could I clean up the menu bar? Do I explain how to submit materials, ask questions, and send attachments?

Guide the student with the campus resources available to help navigate the system. Provide follow-up that they received those resources and ask if their frustration level has lowered. The goal is to prevent the student from becoming discouraged. A negative attitude will quickly become apparent in their coursework and can lead to a drop-out.

lost

The nothing question (silence)

The student that is silent. Asks nothing. Little to no communication, just what is required or even less. This is a problem. Do something to start a conversation. This will answer if the student is struggling or bored or doing just fine.

Ask questions, even directly such as within a discussion board. Another tactic is to require students to reply to each other so they must engage in a conversation with themselves. A recent topic in the news that applies to the course materials or a case study that requires a group discourse to solve the issue will help the silent students to participate. 

what to do today?

say it don't spray it

Communication is an art! 

It is a skill that some just seem to be born with, while others work years on mastering it. While watching an episode of Blue's Clues with my son, Joe was teaching Blue about how appearances can be deceiving. 

A hippo was new to the playground, she looked around and realized that she didn't know any of the other animals playing so she kept to herself. She looked down at the playground and to her it appeared that the animals were so busy playing with each other that they did not care if she joined in, this made hippo sad. However, when Joe went over to the playground to talk to the animals he found out that the animals thought the hippo was mad at them since she didn't come to play with them, so they ignored her. Joe taught Blue and the other animals how appearances can be deceiving. 

Blue & Joe

Communication has many subtleties such as body language that can easily change the meaning of a message. Now you may be thinking that online communication does not have any body language, but that is where you are wrong. The "body" is not your own physique but your text, your image. The way that you write reflects yourself, DOESN'T IT? mmYEA!! wtg, like toTaLly w00t! and so awsomelly graet.

Okay, enough of that. Whew, that was hard to type. If anything I am guilty of typing 'LOL' too often. I would like to offer some tips when talking (yes talking! because in online discussions we talk not write) online, enjoy!

Don’t be shy! 

If you have something to say, say it! The online classroom is not the place to be shy. Actually, studies have shown the online classroom can really help shy people flourish. Now is the time to take advantage of this medium for all the positives that it offers. The first step is to post a biography of yourself, let students learn more about you and where you are from. Instead of posting the typical head shot, post a picture doing something that you love like fishing or riding your motorcycle. Share why you teach this course and what is your favorite part of it? Just be yourself.

Participate in the fun

I've found that often the most successful online courses are not the ones with the best graphics, the latest case studies, or the most enhanced content, (although these are all important and I encourage you to do it!!), they are the ones that have active participation. Log-in everyday and communicate. Respond to discussion questions, post comments to students, grade assignments, and email everyone on a regular basis. The important thing is to stay actively involved in the learning process. The fact is that students talk around campus and having a reputation of an engaged instructor will have your sections filling faster than you can post them. 

If you ever feel unsure how the class is doing, post an anonymous survey to ask the students. I can remember a professor that would pass out index cards and told us to write feedback on them and drop them in the box after class. This same simple approach can be done online by posting a short survey that will collect their thoughts without identifying any students.

Use the text editor

I have to admit at times I do feel silly using smiley faces and fancy fonts but they do help to communicate my message. As I am sure others can identify with myself, I am a simple, laid back person that enjoys the simple things in life. Not much will get my bloomers in a tizzy. A twenty minute ride in my camaro will do more for me than any diamond earring (although I do like those too, LOL). However, how will anyone at a distance know that? Those emoticons can help express your thoughts and feelings. Think of them as a notation after your sentence to help indicate your mood or intention. 

Emoticons in Action