2. Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Engaging Students in Blended & Online Environments

3. Change is difficult, but necessary! With every technology innovation, there have been naysayers.

4. Today, our students’ concept of a classroom is much different from when many of us were in school.

5. Technology is a Delivery System, Not a Teacher ? Blended/online courses are only as good as the instructors who design and teach them.

6. Blended & Online Learning Blended/online learning is the organic integration of thoughtfully selected and complementary traditional and online approaches and technologies (Garrison & Vaughan, 2008).

7. Activity: Rethinking Our Roles (5 minutes) What makes a blended/online instructor effective? What makes a blended/online student successful?

8. Qualities of an Effective Blended/Online Instructor Encourages weekly contact between students and faculty Develops reciprocity and cooperation among students Encourages active learning Gives prompt feedback Emphasizes time on task Communicates high expectations Respects diverse talents and ways of learning (Chickering and Gamson, 1987)

9. Follows the syllabus as a contract Maintains weekly contact/discussion with faculty/peers Seeks relevant training and assistance Utilizes effective time and study management Provides constructive feedback to peers Posts thoughtful discussion commentary Collaborates well with others Qualities of an Effective Blended/Online Student

10. COI Model is under the Copyright of Garrison & Anderson, 2003

11. Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) virtual learning community: –This is a term that falls under the umbrella of CMC, computer-mediated communication, a term popularized by John December. CMC is human communication via the computer. –Primarily Internet-based, CMC focuses on the group dynamics, team-based learning activities, and associated collaboration and communication technologies, that closely dovetail with the constructivist learning theories embodied in collaborative learning, cooperative learning, and situated learning, among other theories… (Leonard, 2002, p. 200)

12. Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) virtual learning community: –CMC is a process and a technology whereby humans can create, exchange, enhance, and access information over the Internet to enhance communication and to create virtual learning communities. –Virtual learning communities are groups of people who use the computer to engage in Web-based knowledge transfer, Web-based education, and Web-based training within a virtual learning environment over the Internet. (Leonard, 2002, p. 200)

13. VLC Opportunities Empowers faculty and students to interact regularly in electronic environments Creates a sense of belonging and connection and community Develops sophisticated technology and information literacy skills Fosters continuous feedback by both faculty and peers Increase in student accountability for ownership of learning Cultivates collaborative skills Provides flexible scheduling for faculty and anytime/anywhere access and voice for students who may otherwise be unable to attend traditional classroom education

14. VLC Challenges Struggles with inaccurate negative stygma Challenges study and time management skills Involves comprehensive front-end preparation to develop meaningful learning activities Necessitates much time, patience, and effort for successful management Commands ongoing technology training Demands some tolerance for software/hardware glitches Requires access to high-speed internet and tech gadgets

15. VLC: Important Terms Instructional Design Asynchronous v. Synchronous delivery Web 2.0 tools Podcasts/Vodcasts/Screencasts Wikis Blogs

16. VLC: Important Terms Social Bookmarking Usergroups & Listservs Threaded Discussions Virtual Teams and Worlds Online Identities (Avatars) Liability Issues

17. Investigating Web 2.0 Tools (10 minutes) Go to the online d atabase of Web 2.0 Tools at http://www.go2web20.net/ http://www.go2web20.net/ Search through the listings to explore what types of tools are available for blended/online course development and instruction Activity:

18. A Few Examples

19. VLC: Resources Database of Web 2.0 Tools http://www.go2web20.net/http://www.go2web20.net/ Evaluating Online Learning: Challenges and Strategies for Success http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/academic/evalonline/index.html http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/academic/evalonline/index.html TechSoup http://www.techsoup.org/toolkits/web2/www.techsoup.org/toolkits/web2/ Free Audio Clips http://www.freeaudioclips.com/http://www.freeaudioclips.com/ Free Photography http://www.freefoto.com/index.jsphttp://www.freefoto.com/index.jsp See training handouts for additional resources.

20. Activity: Create a Classroom Wiki Using the handout provided, you will develop an educational wiki for one class. You will have the opportunity to create a “welcome” page, post your syllabus, and create pages for other educational items such as assignment description, rubrics, etc Have fun!