Setting Up An Online Learning Experience

The significance of the Instructor Knowing the Technology Available for the Course.

                As the instructor prepares to teach his/her online class, he must not forget to review the technology specifications and software that will be used in the course. If there are not any special software programs that will be used, the instructor is free to incorporate any that he/she chooses. 

                However, if the instructor is new to online learning, he should first keep the technology tools to a minimum, (Boettcher and Conrad, 2010). It will be challenging enough to learn how to work the Course Management System, (CMS) without adding unnecessary software tools.

                With each year the instructor gains experience in using the CMS, he/she will be able to learn new tools with practice and from the other faculty.  A website that will assist the an instructor in learning  some of the systems used in higher education is http://www.edutools.info., (Boettcher and Conrad, 2010). Instructors can also learn new technology tools from their learners.  This situation can benefit other learners as well.  By learners sharing information with each other, everybody wins in online learning by allowing the learners to learn from each other (Fish and Wickersham, 2009).

Communicating Clear Expectations to the Learners.

                By communicating clear expectation to the learners, the learners know what is expected of them, and what can be expected from the instructor (Boettcher and Conrad, 2010), thus making the course easier for both parties to achieve their goals. These expectations should be communicated in a common place where the learners can review them.  The instructor's contact information should be given, in case the learners have questions or concerns. Communicating instructions for emergencies and alternate directions for technology failures, should be given too.

 Additional Considerations That The Instructor Should Take Into Account When Setting Up An Online Learning Experience.

                When instructing an online course, it is essential for the instructor to take time to review the course that he/she will teach to the learners.  Nothing is worse than an instructor who is not familiar with the course. Establishing credibility with the learners becomes lost if this happens.

                Instructor presence should be established in the beginning of the course, making the students feel comfortable.  A climate should be built "which causes adults to feel accepted, respected, and supported" within "an atmosphere which is friendly and informal (Conrad and Donaldson, 2011).

                Every function of the  Course Management System (CMS) should be practiced by the instructor, just in case a learner needs assistance. Weekly Teaching Guides should be reviewed by the instructor, ensuring that the goals are met with the week's activities, (Boettcher and Conrad, 2010).  Setting up a To-Do-List may help the instructor develop the online course and stay on track (Boettcher and Conrad, 2010). This simple step will serve as a check off document, ensuring that important steps are not forgotten.

References:

                Boettcher, J. V., & Conrad, R. (2010). The online teaching survival guide: Simple and practical pedagogical tips. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

                Conrad, R., & Donaldson, J. A. (2011). Engaging the online learner: Activities and resources for creative instruction (Updated ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

                Fish, W. W., & Wickersham, L. E. (2009). Best practices for online instructors: Reminders. Quarterly Review of Distance Education, 10(3), 279-284. Retrieved from www.waldenu.edu.