This is it...

This is it...

I teach nursing and I am pursing a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction. So how did I end up in an education technology course? Simple. I've been a student in several online courses and none of them were alike.  Even if the CMS is the same and the program is the same, the course facilitator can make or break a course. I enjoy online courses when the course facilitator is interactive in the discussion and provides constructive feedback. I like learning activities that require thinking and application of learned concepts. I feel I learn more in an online course compared to the traditional classroom setting when assessments are not based solely on multiple choice testing.

My research interest is online education - specifically online learning assessments. The #1 question I receive from educators and peers when I state my research interest is: how can you teach nursing online? How can you teach a student to give a shot or take a blood pressure? Nursing is more than a set of procedural skills. Anyone can be take a blood pressure but it takes an educated nurse with good critical thinking skills to manage a client in cardiac arrest in the absence of a physician. Nurses are first line care providers in the hospital. As such, we need to teach our students to think critically. It is true that procedural hands-on nursing skills are difficult (and some impossible) to teach online. I feel students learn the best in blended learning settings. The online students assumes a greater amount of learning accountability. I cannot open the student's head and pour in the knowledge. Students must also put forth an effort and possess interest in learning.

We have learned so many excellent computer applications to assist teaching online. I used the CMS assignment to set up my critical care course for the Fall 2012. I've added YouTube videos, web links, PDFs, journal articles, a wiki assignment, blog, and discussion threading to my course. I am going to attempt the flipped classroom. I had not heard of it before this class. I feel it will be an excellent way to assist students to apply important concepts. I feel it will also give students more confidence in the clinical setting. I would like to thank all of my classmates for an excellent learning experience.

Sincerely,
Janeen

P.S. I am a HUGE Michael Jackson fan hense the blog title. ;)

10 Things I Hate About Wikis

10 Things I Hate About Wikis

1. Cumbersome navigating from page to page
2. Not easy to identify what specifically was added to Wiki pages
3. Communication with team members is difficult to follow
4. Difficult to share works in progress like a PPT
5. Limited formatting options unless you are technically gifted
6. Visual design is unattractive
7. Must be logged in to edit a page
8. Several people editing the document creates a disorganized appearance
9. Notifications fromWiki fill up my email
10. Don't really understand the point of it

Classroom Management Systems (CMS)

Classroom Management Systems (CMS) for online education in the simplest terms provide educators with a means to structure content. The intent is to create an interesting, online class with up-to-date technology that supports educational efforts. The virtual classroom is the meeting place for students and the instructor. Many new classroom management tools are available for online educators. Most schools, colleges, and universities offering online education have a course structure system in place. No matter what CMS is used, several key aspects of classroom set-up should be addressed:

• Instructions & Trouble-Shooting - Including instructions on how the course works and how to navigate the system helps students to identify expectations ease anxiety regarding use of online tools. Programs like Camtasia permit the instructor to create an audiovisual orientation to the course structure. Examples of how to use instructional tools like discussion threading can be demonstrated. In addition to course orientation, a line-list of trouble-shooting activities may help students through technical difficulties.
• Organization - Structure of the online course is important. Weekly organization of content helps students stay ontrack. A course schedule with dates and learning objectives is helpful. Learning activities and supplemental information regarding specific course content should be placed together in an online folder. Some instructors choose to make materials available to students week by week whereas others open the entire course and content.
• Appearance - Choose course colors that are not distracting to learning. Select font that is easy to read. Written directsion should be clear and simple. Avoid over-loading students with excessive text on a page. Pictures and clipart can serve to motivate students while introducing them to important ideas or concepts. The appearance should be motivating and engaging.
• Activities - Activities should be developed to support intended learning goals. Activities that require application of key concepts require higher-level thinking skills. Activites that encourage interaction with the content provides students with a broader understanding. A variety of activites should be used to create interest and keep students focused. Online games, quizzes, case studies, creation of video or voice presentations are fun and encourage creativity. Discussion threading, blogs, social network applications, and guided Internet research via webquests are beneficial activities.It is important for online students to interact with the instructor and with classmates. Activities should include individual and "small group" work.
• Support for Students - It is important for the course facilitator to be available. Preventing feelings of isolation in an online class is important. Posting contact information such as email, phone number, and creating an online office helps students feel connected. In addition, being present in the discussion and providing timely feedback on assignments offers students support and guidance. Technical support services should be visible and readily available for online students. Post the name of such services, email, and phone number for services and include hours of operation.