Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:1058] Re: IFETS-DISCUSSION digest 157
From: Diane Ehrlich (D-Ehrlich@neiu.edu)
Date: Fri 09 Feb 2001 - 03:50:50 MET
From: "Diane Ehrlich" <D-Ehrlich@neiu.edu> Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:1058] Re: IFETS-DISCUSSION digest 157 Date: Fri, 9 Feb 2001 15:50:50 +1300
There seems to be no questions that simply transferring material from one venue
to another does change the way we teach. In preparing two web-enhanced courses,
I found myself spending hundreds of hours (probably more) working with the
interface so that the students and I would not get frustrated...we still seem
to hit road blocks.
>From a content point, I've used on-line case studies combined with a guest
lecturer and supported the learning through the use of a webboard (asynchronous).
I am finding out that synchronous doesn't just happen, so I've changed my schedule
around a few times just to try out a synhronous chat. Maintaining the conversation
and engaging students id far more challenging than I thought it would be. I'm
trying to maintain a distance yet provide some direction. I've had students begin
with bioigraphies and non-threatenming assignments until they are comfortable with
the technology, but it hasn't become part of their daily ritual yet. I'm assuming
that by the end of the semester, they may check in daily just to make sure they
haven't missed anything..but who knows.
As a constructivist, I do believe the value of learning is processing information,
building concepts, using a range of resources to problem solve, and being able to
assess your own success. When it doesn't work, there seem to be a bunch of "chickens
running apround crying the skiy is falling...the sky is falling. How do we assure
them that the sky is not falling and that they can deal with learning from sources
other than the instructor?
I agree with Raj that it certainly takes a lot more time and effort to try to build
an interactive on-line course that is relevant and engaging, as well as
instructional sound.
Dr. Diane Ehrlich
Professor and Coordinator Humn Resouce Development Program
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago,IL 60625
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