For meeting # 3, our group decided to use the time we'd carved out for today to work on the Quality Matters online workshop that many of us are taking, which is called Using Instructional Materials and Technology to Promote Learner Engagement. We set up refreshments in the eLearning Lab, where some of us decided to work in order to avoid the typical interruptions we experience in our usual offices and work areas. I loved seeing and hearing our group members drop in and/or settle in in the lab, and I also loved seeing that so many of us were online working on the course, too (look at the "Participants" list under "Navigation" in the QM course). We are still forming as a group, but despite all of our different physical locations, I felt like part of a community today! Isn't this exactly what we are thinking about when we consider engagement and community in online learning environments?
As I searched for engaging learning materials as part of an assignment for Module 3 in our QM course, I came across a video that I really liked. It met the objectives for my course assignment, and I think it's appropriate for our FLC, too! For context, I will share my assignment responses (which are also posted inside the QM course) along with the video (link is also posted below). Enjoy!
Dawn's QM Assignment:
Through MERLOT II, I found an
excellent video called "Engaging and motivating students". Access the
video here: [http://online.cofa.unsw.edu.au/learning-to-teach-online/ltto-episodes?view=video&video=221]
How does your selected material align with your objectives or competencies (please post the objectives or competencies with which your selected material aligns)?
Course
Objective: “Upon completion of the course, Learners will be able to define
student engagement in the context of online learning.”
Module/Unit
Objective: “Learners will describe the definition of student engagement in
presentations to their colleagues”
This video is
part of workshop and training material from Learning to Teach Online at the
University of New South Wales. It addresses the topic and nature of student engagement
online from the perspective of educators in a presentation format, all of which
supports and aligns with my learning objective.
In what way does your selected material meet Specific Review Standard 4.4, "The instructional materials are current" (refer to the Annotation for Specific Review Standard 4.4 for more information on what it means to be "current")?
This material
is posted on a current and maintained university website and “represents
up-to-date thinking and practice in the discipline” as described in the
annotations for GS4, SRS 4.4.
In what way does your selected material add variety to your course in terms of the Annotation for Specific Review Standard 4.5?
This material
is in captioned video format, which will provide variety from the text and
other printed readings. Students will be able to access the content using
captions, if they prefer. Also included with this video is a downloadable pdf
of Strategies and Tips for teaching online.
How would you cite your selected material in order to meet Specific Review Standard 4.3?
McIntyre,
S. (2011, January 19). Engaging and motivating students. Learning to teach online. Video retrieved from http://online.cofa.unsw.edu.au/learning-to-teach-online/
I was motivated to come over and work because I really am all about creating community. I think about toddlers and the phenomenon of Parallel Play. There is something lovely about tending to my own work, then having Jane show up and sit a few seats down from me. Dawn wasn't far away, within earshot, and it did feel like community. Thank you for posting this, Dawn. Gave me a chance to pause and think about how this FLC will enrich my year!
ReplyDeleteParallel Play. That really is a nice connection, Mary. I think sometimes we do feel too overwhelmed with our own tasks and development (just as toddlers do) to engage fully with those around us, and the chance to have the good will and amiable company of our community members feels calming and supportive.
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