Teaching Psychology Online Advantages and Disadvantages: A Case Study Ken Stange, Professor Emeritus at Nipissing University

Introduction Caveats (Personal disclosure) My teaching experience 40 years of teaching live But only 2 years of teaching online and just one specific course: Psychology of Art My biases Im a computer geek and love the digital revolution Im obsessed with bridging the Two Cultures divide Im not fond of the current educational system

Once Upon A Time Lectures were the only option. There were few supplementary resources, even texts. And it wasnt the Golden Age some imagine it to have been. University of Paris (1160)

Lectures In The Early Days Advantages Intimacy Interactivity Relative ease of preparation Disadvantages Limitation of access Dependency on performance skills Transitory nature of information imparted

Lectures Now

Advantages Relative ease of preparation Disadvantages Loss of intimacy Loss of interactivity Limitation of access Dependency on performance skills Transitory nature of information imparted

The Digital Alternative

Advantages Increased accessibility Less dependency on teachers performance skills Less transitory nature of imparted information Disadvantages Loss of intimacy Loss of interactivity Difficulty of preparation There are tools to minimize some of the disadvantages!

Caveats Some courses cant be taught effectively online. E.g.,Hands on studies involving lab work. Personal face- to-face mentoring is still not entirely possible on the Internet.

A Course That Seemed To Work Psychology of Art

Nature of The Course Psychology of Art I This course is a general survey of psychological approaches to the creative arts (music, the performing arts, the visual arts, literature, film and science). It reviews what all branches of psychology have contributed to an understanding of this topic, including the relationship of theoretical aesthetics to empirical aesthetics. The concept of creativity is examined, including its defining characteristics in art and science, the characteristics of the creative individual, and the possibility of fostering it.

Nature of The Course Psychology of Art II This course examines each of the major creative arts in terms of the psychology of perception, cognition, and emotion, as well as the biological and evolutionary bases for some aspects of the aesthetic experience and art appreciation. Specific, exemplary artworks are presented and discussed. The relationship of the sciences to the traditional arts is also investigated.

Nature of The Course Specific Requirements For The Course Exemplary materials (Aesthetic Experiences) Visual art MusicVideo Textual material from eclectic sources (no possibility of a textbook summary) Scientific journal articles News articles Critical reviews and commentary.

Evolution Of The Course

The Dealing With Inherent Disadvantages Solutions accessibility Discussion Forums Sorry, no solution! Disadvantages Loss of intimacy Loss of interactivity Difficulty of preparation There are tools to minimize some of the disadvantages.

Revised Digital Balance Sheet Advantages Increased accessibility Less dependency on teachers performance skills Less transitory nature of imparted information Disadvantages Difficulty of preparation

Course Preparation Get departmental and senate approval to offer the course and sign contract Caveats of copyright and payment Write course modules (using e.g., Word) Submit modules for approval by… Distance learning department (have silly format rules) Departmental External referees Review online version

Four Transition Issues 1.Skill set required (e.g., computer skills) 2.Imperfect tools (e.g., Blackboard) 3.Potential administrative hassles 1.Infrastructure 2.Censorship 4.Dependency on current technology

Psychology of Art Course Structure Module Structure Text (note: copyright issues) Links within text (Readings) Assignments Discussion Questions

Psychology of Art Evaluation Assignments for each module (24%) Discussion forums (24%) Reflective journals (20%) Final exam (32%)

N of One Results Psychology Of Art

Practical Ongoing Problems Student Issues Getting students to keep up Dealing with student excuses Dealing with students technical problems overload Upkeep Issues Dead links Grading Administrative Issues Bureaucracy Empire building Server downtime and technical problems

Online Teaching Report Card Potential A+ Effectiveness A- Works to full potential B- Works and plays well with others C

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