Module 4, Engaging Learners
To ensure that online learners are engaged instructors must make sure that three important components are met; content, communication, and collaboration. As technology has afforded instructors the opportunity to use a variety of tools to make sure instruction meet the criteria.
In terms of content, the methodology used must encourage students to become problem solvers, as well as reflective throughout the process. Fortunately communication and collaboration is aided by technology that students already use in everyday, nonacademic aspects. The combination of all of these categories will lead to engaged learners that are participating in a meaningful learning experience. Each of these tools promote critical thinking, promote collaboration among students, instructors, and other professionals, and promote content methodology. Perhaps the most important aspect of these categories, is the fact that they present students the opportunity to participate using technology that they are already using in everyday life.
How would you use social networking sites in a classroom to ensure students were engaged with content, collaboration, and communication?
ReplyDeleteSocial networking gives teachers many different ways of incorporating all three. I would use Facebook if I could, but our school system doesn't allow Facebook use at school and frowns on us using it with students as friends. Facebook offers synchronous chat, asynchronous interaction, and the ability to post information and pictures. Edmodo.com offers and educational version of Facebook, but I have yet to try it out.
DeleteI do agree that its important to have students use technology that they use in their personal life. Have you use video conferencing in any of your online classes?
ReplyDeleteMargaret:
ReplyDeletePlease excuse the fact that my post will be soon posted as a result of the circumstances outlined in my blog. Your post nicely depicts the parameters involving instructors’ engagement of learners as content, collaboration, and communication. Nevertheless, I would like to ask if you think there is an intersection, as graphically suggested in your graphic, between and among the three concepts. If so, can you please identify the relationship and its meaningfulness.