Week+3


 * Topic**:


 * identify one content area that you will further explore and facilitate** : Online communication ( virtual communication )

**Questions:**


 * 1) What is your opinion about the online education communication system In general ?
 * 2) The email and online chat are very famous communication tools in Online education system, what is your think about (the email and online chat are a good effective communication tools? why/ why not).
 * 3) What is your opinion about virtual communication tools by voice only or by voice and video?
 * 4) Do you thing one day at week for one hour is a good idea for the team or class to communication to know and exchange their idea by using virtual communication such as skype.com,  www.wiziq.com/**Virtual**_**Classroom**.aspx

Thanks for all of you

1. What is your opinion about the online education communication system In general ?


 * From the reading research we have followed in our course, the online education communication system is based upon best practices for e-learning. I have found that it has taken me a bit of time to feel comfortable with the system but this was remeded by spending time navagating through its sections. As a new user, I was a little confused every now and then, but perhaps my thinking steps needed to adjust. (Wendy)
 * I've realized that online education communication system has plenty of advantages. I think it really caters to working professionals who are unable to attend traditional face-to-face courses. But I think people should start familiarizing themselves with this structure more because this is the trend in education. Technology and social connections can still foster credible knowledge-sharing. (Marnelyn)
 * Do you think the activities we are learning and using would work with your 5th graders? (Wendy)
 * I think my reaction is two-fold, though mostly positive. I think that what you, Wendy and Marnelyn, have said is correct: the medium is well structure for the adult learner by offering self-guided and (mostly) self-scheduled learning. I have enjoyed the experience so far, and I could say more about the positive sides, but we have all done the readings. E-learning offers so much that is positive, though, that it is almost too much, and the time flexibility can become a time-crunch because of the overwhelming amount of information that is generated by members, assuming here that you have an active community. (Tom)
 * Tom, I agree with you. During our discussion in week 1, I noted that it has been my experience that online classes tend to be more time consuming than F2F. It almost seems as if instructors feel the need to compensate for not being in the classroom. (Wendy)
 * I see all of you accept online communication through e-Learning, for (Wendy), I think we can use the online communication in 5th grade because the new generation student, they know how to use many application but I think they need a little training. (Ola)
 * Wendy, I think that compensation idea is interesting. You might be right, but I am not sure. I think that I would have to facilitate a fully online course to know better. (Tom)
 * The online education communication system in general is a bit challenging. It took me a couple of weeks to navigate through the ELC to figure where all my assignments were located. I enjoying learning about the online communication systems available, but it takes a little of time to select a mode of communication that matches one’s learning style. (Matthew)

2. The email and online chat are very famous communication tools in Online education system, what is your think about (the email and online chat are a good effective communication tools? why/ why not)

> Consequently, some students may have difficulty adjusting to the online classroom if they are not used to the routine. (Matthew)
 * In our readings we have spent time with essential elements that are needed for a successful e-learning experience. Using these elements greatly enhances email as a communitcation tool, as well as online chat. Communication among group members is imperative and if these tools work for a particular group they should continue to use them. Personally I enjoy both and use them regularly in many forms of communication. (Wendy)
 * I think the diversity in communication tools make the course more interesting. It is very helpful to students to have different options of communicating with their colleagues. Having email, chatting, and webconferencing options always keep you connected with your team. (Marnelyn)
 * And plus it makes the course more interesting to try the various tools! (Wendy)
 * Diversity is good; but are we in that honeymoon state where we are trying out all of this new technology and it all just seems great? I think that it might be nice after a while to have a common practice of communication - something reliable and consistent that you know everyone is using on a schedule. That back-beat pattern offers the stability a well-run team needs. I think that synchronous communication tools can be very productive if you have a solid plan of what you want to accomplish in the sessions before you engage synchronously. (Tom)
 * I agree with all with you about the email and online are a good and famous on e-Learning, but also the cell phone has improved more in the last 3 year which allow the student to make online chat by phone is more common. also the diversity in communication is very good special for adults how have different work time(Ola).
 * I think email is great way to communicate. Mobile devices, such as cellphones, ipads, and e-readers, have made email communication invaluable. As a student in an online classroom, I have to learn that I have to do a better job of communicating online in order to be successful. In a f2f class, all one has to do is show up every week and participate. However, in an online class, student engagement is measured by what you post online.

3. what is your opinion about virtual communication tools by voice only or by voice and video?


 * I have not used these tools to any extent but would like to use them and look forward to trying them out in a greater capacity. (Wendy)
 * I've used voice and video for personal communication but not for a course. It's actually very efficient, cutting down what would be expensive communication costs. The voice and video tool would be very powerful when speaking with someone overseas about a common educational topic. (Marnelyn)
 * I have used Skype and find that a lot of fun. I never thought of incorporating the use of Skype into a course. It does make sense, though and can see how it would be very beneficial for groups to use it to review objectives, expectations, progress, etc. for projects. (Wendy)
 * I have used Skype only on a personal scale, and that would really be the only tool of its sort that I have used. I think it is great for long-distance communication, and I could see its potential for e-learning. I, personally, could see holding "office hours" through Skype, if I were to teach as a distance educator. As a person interested in communication and writing specifically, I believe spoken language has a bit of a leg-up on written because you have the immediacy of an audience and the ability to determine the clarity of your text. I know that we have been lauding the power of e-learning because of the opportunity it allows you to construct a message, but I believe the written word is never that solid or obvious in meaning. Synchronous communication allows the audience to clarify uncertainties much quicker. So, I think that a course could really benefit from having both types of communication involved. (Tom)
 * I can see all of you like the web-conferencing tool, I would to have this tool in e-learning system, because it is very wonderful tool I have used Skype and I like it. If we would to make one web- conferencing (for trying only and see each other), I will try to see free group communication tool this weekend because the skype now accept only one –to-one full communication but ofr group accept voice communication only (Ola).
 * I have not used any virtual communication tools. But, I am really interested in figuring out how the tools operate. From my understanding, Skype is a user-friendly program because it allows people to visual see each other. I think Skype would be a great online learning tool because many people taking this course may reside in different states. (Matthew)

4. do you thing one day at week for one hour is a good idea for the team or class to communication to know and exchange their idea by using virtual communication such as skype.com, [|www.wiziq.com/Virtual_Classroom.aspx]


 * One hour sounds like a good deal of time to set aside for an online class where we are already comitted. Another aspect to take into consideration is how to set aside a specific day and time when many members enjoy the flexibility of e-learning. (Wendy)
 * How much skyping or web conferencing time we need really depends on the topic. I think an hour might be too long. I like the flexibility of logging on whenever it is convenient for me. I think it just depends on finding common availabilities. (Marnelyn)
 * Yes, for instance, I will be out of town this weekend with a full schedule from early in the morning until evening. I do plan to take my netbook with me and will have a bit of time to check on our discussions and stay involved with our team. I like the flexibility of this but would find it a little stressful if I had to schedule a specific class communication time. (Wendy)
 * Yes, I do. As I said above, I think that synchronous communication can be very effective if the team has a set agenda for what it wants to accomplish in the allotted time. (Tom)
 * I just want to throw out a word of caution concerning the time element. Scheduling a specific class communication time, to me, adds yet one more component to an already full agenda when it comes to the expectations for e-learning. (Wendy)
 * Yes, I agree with all of you the time and work type for all of us will make an online communication very hard. I would be happy if i find a free group communication to try it not for discuses topic but (for see each other ) (Ola)
 * I think one hour is a good idea. But, it can be hard to get agree to time that works for everyone. Some people have full-time jobs, and other responsibilities. However, I do believe strong communication is necessary for any organization or team to be successful. (Matthew)

=Week 3 Team Discussion - Building Effective Online Communities=

Directions:
Building and maintaining an effective online learning community requires a strong facilitator who establishes a positive online presence at the beginning of each course. By modeling good communication and strategically using available tools and resources, the community will continue to build momentum and sustain itself as an effective online community of learners.
 * 1) Be sure that you have first reviewed the **Building Effective Online Communities** readings.
 * 2) This week's Facilitator should create a new thread titled, **Week 3: Effective Online Communities.** //Alternatively feel free to use Google Docs or another online tool, but be sure to give your instructor access.//
 * 3) Individually, post a 1-2 paragraph response to your team's discussion:
 * //What two or three characteristics of effective online learning communities are most important to you, and why?//
 * //What do you think happens in a community of learners where there is not a strong instructor presence?//
 * //What do you think are the most significant challenges when teaching in an online environment, and what kinds of tools or strategies might you use to overcome them?//
 * 1) Throughout the week, engage in a discussion with your teammates about the similiarities and differences in your responses.
 * 2) The **reporter** should post a summary of your discussion and collective thoughts by Monday. Be sure that you change the subject line to **FINAL** so that your instructor can easily locate your final summary.

1. What two or three characteristics of effective online learning communities are most important to you, and why?

 * I really enjoyed the article (well more the idea than the article) on "swift trust." I think that trust is an integral part to online learning communities; it weaves its way through so many aspects of the community and allows for more open sharing as well as team effectiveness. If we didn't trust one another, what kind of community would we have? What would we lose? I also think that online communities need to be open-ended; by that, I mean that assignments and tasks need to have a flexibility built into them so that individual members and teams can negotiate the content of the course freely guided by their needs and interests. I think prompts and assignments that don't allow students the opportunity to construct a part of the knowledge needed to complete the assignment really suffocate the potential power of student-centered pedagogy. (Tom)
 * Tom, I agree with you that courses should be flexible and that it should evolve with students' goals while at the same time maintaining the objectives of the course. A characteristic that I think is important in e-learning communities is having engaging activities. Although I like the consistency of activities, I think it will also benefit us if activities "vary from week to week" as mentioned in the "Essential Element" article. I learn most when I am exposed to new strategies or when forced to try a new application such as e-platform assignment. Varying assignments can be challenging and motivating. (Marnelyn)
 * I appreciate how our readings this week had the running theme of building community, building relationships, and building trust running throughout. If we take time to establish these, the opportunities for collaboration and learning will flow. So many times we become caught in the trap of the urgent and rush quickly past the bigger picture of what truly allows for learning. As teachers, we so want our students to love learning, yet we find ourselves teaching to the test because of the value forced upon us by assessments. I feel the readings this week validated my beiefs of learning and gave strong evidence of the necessity of building this foundation in order for good teaching and learning to occur. (Wendy)
 * I agree with you all, but I would the online communities can be Accessibility or/ and has voice recording or prodcasing. also, it we can have a Backup for student to review as apart of online communication (Ola).
 * Good ideas here. Marnelyn, I definitely think that activities need to vary (slightly) from week to week. I think dramatic change, though, can be dramatic. My personal approach is to build from one week into the next week, so that my courses develop around a steady rhythm that students can organize themselves around. So, Wendy, I am wondering how we can make team/group construction part of that rhythm. (Tom)
 * Hmm...a steady rhythm that students can organized themselves around and team construction is a part of that...well how about introducing a project in small pieces that build from week-to-week? Groups work in their teams on the components, in order to build the final whole? Are you thinking along those lines? (Wendy)
 * I think community building and accessibility go hand-in-hand when developing an effective online learning community. People need to be a part of the decision-making process to establish a sound learning community. As a result, the powers that be need to be accessible to its stakeholders. The people in charge need to be able to have open and honest communication with the learning community to create an environment that breeds a strong learning environment. (Matthew)

2. What do you think happens in a community of learners where there is not a strong instructor presence?
> >
 * Well, certainly according to the one reading that we had, the class taught by Professor X (sounds like a suspicious comic book character) had poor reviews, and the writers attribute that to the teacher's lack of presence in the online community. I would have to agree with that assumption as well. I think that in general communities that don't have a central binding force fall apart. I am currently taking another course online and the instructor doesn't seem to have as much presence as Donna does, and I admit that I am not as focused on that class as I could be. I think regular and quality contact from an instructor is important. Not having that presence is like being a classroom teacher who doesn't come to class. (Tom)
 * When an instructor is not present, I don't think students feel as invested in the course. An invisible instructor gives off the vibe that the course is not valuable. Since there is no one guiding and giving feedback, there is communication break down. As a result, the community's goals become unclear. The inconsistency of the instructor creates a domino effect. Students begin to imitate the lax attitude of the instructor. (Marnelyn)
 * I had an instructor tell me the purpose of the discussion area was for the students to discuss. The instructor was to hang back once the discussion topic was posted. I don't think that approach really kept the discussion moving. Once everyone posted their required response it seemed that everything sizzled out. Keeping the discussion focused with continued dialogue allows for a rich discussion that encompasses the entire week. (Wendy)
 * I have been in both situations- strong instructor presence and weak instructor presence. I know from experience how important a strong instructor presence is to the value of student effort. I don't mean the instructor will overwhelm the course with dominance, but rather be a guiding force that is visably aware and present, interjecting and supporting the learning of the participants. Perhaps it is human nature, but receiving feedback, the push and pull of discussion, all these create necessary conditions that move a learner forward. (Wendy)
 * I think, it will we be bad and worst online class but the strong instructor is not who has a good arrangement for class and material. But He / she has a good organizing for class to allow the student to understand the objective of the class step by step not only tell you what you have to do.(Ola)
 * In any level of education, instructors need to be actively finding ways to keep students engaged. (Matthew)
 * Oh, I think that feedback is huge. It is a validation of effort. I wonder, though, is there a point at which an instructor becomes too strong of a presence? I don't think that any of us want a non-entity, but I also don't think that we want a micro-manager. Where is the golden mean? (Tom)
 * As a student, I thrive on feedback and need it to help me steer. (Wendy)
 * When the instructor does not have a strong presence, students become disengaged in the learning process. Not all students are intrinsically motivated to learn, so instructors need to tap into their educational tool box to keep students interested. (Matthew)

3. What do you think are the most significant challenges when teaching in an online environment, and what kinds of tools or strategies might you use to overcome them?

 * A fear that I have of teaching an online class is "attendance." I teach in a community college where students drop classes regularly. I think that I am pretty good at establishing community and creating engaging activities for my students; but some students just don't want to be in school from the get-go, and there is little that you can do to make them want to stay. Sometimes, I can help to change their minds, but not always. I worry about how this type of situation would translate into the online environment and how it may affect the first few crucial weeks. Right now, I am not sure what tools I would use to overcome this difficulty because most of what we have been reading about establishing community in the online environment I do consciously in my classroom: I definitely do ice-breakers and include myself there (I want to be as vulnerable as my students); I certainly am positive about the course work because I honestly love what I teach; I use team activities. But maybe now that I am thinking about it, I could make more of an effort to focus on team-building. I have been planning for next year ways to incorporate that concept more consistently throughout the course. I don't know - any thoughts? (Tom)
 * Team building is an awesome way to go. You mentioned being vulnerable, well there is no better way to to that other than team building. We do a lot of team building in August in preparation for the new school year and it really helps keep us together as a unit, as we draw on those experiences in the midst of the winter months. I wish we would do more and come together mid year to help reenergize one another because so many people become discouraged around this time of year with so much testing in the air. And just on a side note- when is comes to college work, I am always amazed at how students just drop out of a class after they have paid for it! (Wendy)
 * I think the most obvious challenge for an instructor is to be able to give feedback in a timely and consistent manner to the online class. An instructor needs to be able to manage and keep up with all the discussion threads. Most importantly, an instructor needs to be able to synthesize all these ideas in order to summarize a collective response. I just can't imagine how Donna is able to give us meaningful feedback so promptly. As far as overcoming the time factor, I think it's just a matter of finding a set time for yourself and maintaining a routine where you outline what kind of goals you would like to accomplish each day in the e-learning class. --Tom, I think it's great that you're already using a lot of the strategies that we've been reading about! Kudos to you! To improve team building, I know this sounds elementary, but you could motivate students by having them generate team names, missions, identities, and mottos. This way they feel like a complete group and will more likely support each other throughout the course. (Marnelyn)
 * Along with Marnelyn, I am worried about the challenges of time and staying organized. E-learning, to me, is very time consuming. Once I am finished reading all the readings, then reading and thinking about what others are saying, then thinking about my response, then working on my projects- well you get the idea and that is just from a student perspective. As an instructor, time and staying organized would continue to be my greatest challenge. Reading student posts and responding with good feedback are so important and I would need a good file system to keep track. A tool I am beginning to explore is Drop Box. It is a great way to keep materials organinzed on my desktop and move them easily. I will share more on this once I play around with it. (Wendy).
 * Time! Time! Time! I have been struggling to find the time to keep up with this course. I love the online environment, but as an instructor I would be concerned for students whom I see falling behind early in an online course. (Matthew)
 * Matthew, can you carve out the time you would be spending if you were sitting in a f2f? That helps me get started each week. (Wendy)
 * The understanding is the big very challenge for an online course. I would to apply an one hour community by using an online free communication to hear an opposite opinion or new idea or to what is problem with student. (Ola)
 * Wendy, your first post hits on a thought I often return to: I don't understand how students just drop classes so easily. It amazes me and, really, often breaks my heart. I will have some really great students (sky is the limit potential), and they just won't motivate themselves sometimes. Often, it is something that is happening in their lives outside of school, and whatever that is become too much of a drain. Regardless, it is sad. Speaking of the team-building stuff that you hit on, though, I wonder how you may be able to use an online platform to continue your exchanges and keep driving that early-year energy. Also, I am curious about this Drop Box program you mentioned. Tell us more, if you could. Marnelyn, I definitely think that team names, missions, etc are a good additive to consider. I could even make them write about that (seeing as I am often teaching my students write). I was thinking of having them (at least for part, maybe half, of the semester) act as a "reporting" team to construct a weekly paper - each member producing a different type of writing every week (argumentative, expository, reportage, expressive, etc). (Tom)
 * DropBox.com is so very cool and free. You download the program, then it basically works like an internal flash drive from computer to computer. Each computer must have the "dropbox." No matter where I am working, (including my Droid phone), I can slip items, files, pictures, video, into my drop box on one computer, then access it on another. Great way to share with myself and others. And as for team building, like any relationship, it requires time and effort. You have to work at team building, (thus the "building"), in order to keep it going. Think of championship teams. They don't just win and say yeah we won and are finished now. Practice continues. Drills continue. Workouts, scrimages, team film, etc. all continue so the team has opportunity to build on their foundation and move forward. (Wendy).
 * One of the biggest challenges teaching in the online environment is getting people motivated and interested in the course. Many people are excited when they begin their online coursework, but the students struggle to remain, and to stay engaged in he coursework. Online learning is not for everyone so teachers need to constantly think of ways to keep students motivated to learn. As a result, teachers need to have a variety of teaching tools to encourage students to work to their full potential.

Team BeMore found the characteristics of effective online learning to be trust that builds the foundation of the growing learning community. The course should be flexible enough to allow students to be a part of the decision-making process, where student and course goals are met with engaging activities accessible to participants**.** The instructor plays a strong role in building community and keeping student engagement with regular and quality contact. Online environments are challenging in that instructor organization is a key to timely feedback that continually pulls the student back in order to keep engagement strong. The strategies that would assist an effective online learning community would continually encourage student engagement with team and community building through strong instructor presence. Our team is just beginning to explore DropBox, a tool that may assist instructor organization.
 * FINAL**

=Team Facilitators Project Topics=

Below is a list of topics and suggested areas of focus for Assignment #3: Team Facilitators. One member from each team should email the instructor the first, second and third choice of topics.

// (choose **one** from the list on the right) // || If you choose an application for e-learning, select just one of the following topics
 * ** Topic ** || ** Areas of Focus ** ||
 * Discussion Facilitation and Higher-Order Thinking || Activity should focus on all areas:
 * Defining higher-order thinking
 * How to promote higher-order thinking through effective facilitation
 * Questioning strategies (i.e., how to use probing questions to engage participants and promote higher-order thinking)
 * Other discussion facilitation strategies (e.g., summarizing, using voice as a strategy, etc.) ||
 * Providing Feedback || Activity should focus on all areas:
 * How and when to provide feedback to learners
 * What constitutes quality feedback
 * The role of feedback in effective teaching online
 * What “timely feedback” means in an online environment
 * Methods and applications for providing feedback ||
 * Assessment || Activity should focus on all areas:
 * Defining assessment
 * E-learning applications that support assessment
 * How to assess learning during an e-learning initiative (formative vs. summative methods) ||
 * // Applications for E-Learning //
 * Using Podcasting for online teaching and learning
 * Open Source software for communication and productivity
 * Effective strategies for integrating e-learning into curriculum, instruction, communication with parents, etc. (K-12)
 * Subscription-based online curriculum alternatives, including social learning systems (K-12)
 * Considerations and challenges with implementing e-Learning initiatives (K-12)
 * Using e-Learning to differentiate instruction; Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in K-12
 * Tapping into the power of Social Networking and Social Learning (K-12) ||

So what topics are we interested in?

 * I, honestly, think that any one of the topics above could be interesting. Maybe my top three (in no particular order) are: higher order thinking and discussion facilitation; using elearning to differentiate instruction (Universal Design for Learning); or tapping into the power of social networking and social learning. (Tom)
 * I'm interested in the following in order: 1) Tapping into power of social networking and social learning 2) Podcasting 3) Open Source software for communication and productivity....Basically, these are the topics under Applications for E-Learning. Others, please list your top 3...then maybe we can come up with a consensus. (Marnelyn)
 * I like how to promote higher order thinking through effective faciliation and tapping into social networking and social learning (Wendy)
 * in fact, there are many interesting topics 1) Other discussion facilitation strategies (e.g., summarizing, using voice as a strategy, etc. 2) How and when to provide feedback to learners. 3) E-learning applications that support assessment. 4) Using Podcasting for online teaching and learning. 5) Open Source software for communication and productivity. But I would to take time to think about it more deeply. .. Thank you so much you give us very wonderful topic . (Ola)

Ok team- we need to send our topic choice in today. So far, from what I can determine, if we want a project topic, we all agree that our topic should be Discussion, Facilitation, and Higher Order Thinking. However, it looks like we want to focus on an application. Now correct me if I am wrong. Matthew, do you want to weigh in? I will email Donna our first, second, and third choice as soon as I receive your input. Thanks! (Wendy)
 * 1) 1 choice is Tapping into the power of Social Networking and Social Learning (K-12)
 * 2) 2 choice is Using Podcasting for online teaching and learning
 * 3) 3 choice is Open Source software for communication and productivity

Hey team Just heard back from Donna. We were beat out on social networking but received our second choice, Using Podcasting for Online Teaching and Learning. Hope that works for everyone. (Wendy)