When
instructors adapt their course materials to the online environment,
they should be sensitive
to the advantages and disadvantages of the Virtual Classroom. Web-based
learning is well-suited for communications, collaboration, and information
acquisition, but not for reading long text files. It is difficult to
read screen after screen of text on a computer. In the Virtual Classroom, text-based
lectures should be short and few. With this being the case, where are
students going to get the information they need in obtaining the learning
objectives?
The curriculum of an online course should be designed
to cause dialogue among the students. During online discussions, the
participants collect information and send it to the virtual classroom
for comments, critiques and more discussion. In order to generate this
type of information, students must actively seek out the required material.
The synergy of the discussion is itself a learning tool. With that in
mind, much of the information presented to the class can come from the
participants themselves.
Methods of
information dissemination that can be used in an online environment
are listed below. Ways that
each method can be used have been listed, as well as the benefits and
possible drawbacks associated with each one. Facilitators need to be
aware of problems that can arise as they use these technologies. For
example, while the "lecturette" can be an effective online
tool, long lectures are not recommended as well as exercises that don't
require students to comment on each other's work.
Textbooks:
They are used for the following purposes:
Assign a segment of a chapter to an individual.
Assign a segment of a chapter to a team.
Provide discussion questions that require students
to summarize the reading, or ask students to come up with their own
discussion questions.
Provide discussion questions that require students
to synthesize the material.
Provide an activity that requires students to apply
the information from the reading.
Benefits
They are relatively inexpensive.
Students do not need any additional equipment to
use the material.
Students can go back and retrieve information when
they need it.
Some learners need the hardcopy for reading and
studying.
Drawbacks
They can only be distributed by mail or retailing
network.
They can convey information only by written language
and figures.
It is impossible to give direct feedback to or ask
questions of the author.
Video
tapes / TV Programs
Basic concept of the course content subject or
resources for the virtual classroom discussion can be provided through
video. Whole films can be used in online courses in ESL, literature, any
foreign language, creative writing, etc. Students can watch the film outside
of "class" and then discuss/critique it in the virtual classroom.
During online discussions, students can compare the film to the book, discuss
character profiles, plot, theme, symbolism, historical context, etc.
Benefits
Facilitator can distribute information such as visual
or procedural concepts that are hard to express in textbooks. For example:
in a class of manufacturing management, a short film showing a real
factory is effective for understanding certain concepts and for making
discussion questions.
Supplemental video may help learners whose basic
learning style is not text-based.
If all the students view the same material, discussion
questions or projects can be assigned to generate discussion on the
topic and the information will be presented equally as well as using
a textbook or related articles.
If broadcasting through web, wave or satellite is
available, the information can be distributed asynchronously, and each
student can view the material at his or her convenience.
TV broadcasts can be recorded for later study or
review.
Drawbacks
Students are required to have a TV set and/or a
VCR.
Some programs are only available at certain designated
times.
VCR tapes can only be distributed by mail or retailing
network.
When distributed via the WWW, video files are extremely
large, require long download times, and use substantial memory.
Audio
Tapes / Radio Programs
Basic concept of the course content subject or resources
for virtual classroom discussion can be provided.
Benefits
The cost and technical requirements are less than
for video and/or TV.
Audio files can be downloaded from the Internet.
If all the students listen to the same material,
then discussion questions or projects can be assigned to generate discussion
on the topic, the information will be presented equally as well as
using a textbook or related articles.
Radio broadcasts can be recorded for later study.
Drawbacks
Audio files lack a visual component.
Although much smaller than video files, audio files
are quite large and slow to download.
Guest
Speakers
Guest speakers can be invited to hold either a synchronous chat session with
the class, or post a lecture and be available for 2-3 days to answer questions
from the group.
Benefits
Students can learn about what is happening today
in the real world pertaining to the course content subject.
The guest speaker is able to bring outside resources
to the course.
Drawbacks
It may be difficult to find an appropriate person
to invite as a guest speaker because he/she must know the basic system
and flow of online learning.
For synchronous chat sessions: (see drawbacks below)
As with video, material which is not easily adapted
to text format can still be covered in the course.
Programs can contain short tutorials for specific
skills/information that students need to know, then require them to
apply that knowledge in exercises.
Software can be distributed through the Internet.
Drawbacks
Students must have the software in hand to use it
(download or purchase on CD)
Learners must know HOW to use the software.
Articles
from Web Sites
Each participant finds outside, related articles on the Internet; reads, summarizes,
and critiques the article. Other participants can choose to access the article
themselves, and/or comment on their classmate's critique. Students can then
comment on other people's comments. A lot of valid information can come from
this activity.
Benefits
It allows students to choose what to focus on and
take control of their own learning experience.
The number of articles and amount of information
which students can access is unlimited.
It brings outside resources into the course.
It provides participants with an extensive list
of summaries of related resources that they can choose to read, or
archive for later use.
Students are learning and practicing research skills--searching,
summarizing, demonstrating what has been learned, integrating new information
into already-learned material.
Drawbacks
The information at some Web sites may not be reliable.
Newsgroups
This includes subscribing to or even just browsing newsgroups on topics related
to course content.
Benefits
There is a large quantity of material generated
every day.
Most newsgroups have excellent archives of previously
posted material.
Drawbacks
There is often a
high percentage of "noise" (garbage)
to sift through.
Listservs
These are focused email discussions on topics supplemental to course work.
Benefits
Discussion lists exists on virtually every academic
subject and/or related field.
Discussion provide an exchange of ideas with people
not enrolled in the class who are, nevertheless, good resources on
a given topic.
Drawbacks
Extra reading time is required due to \ the large
number of messages generated by a busy discussion list.
Interactive
Web Sites
These include web sites where users can read information updates,
view stills and video, and listen to audio related to their course
work. For example, the
ESL Cafe <http://www.eslcafe.com> puts
ESL students in touch with other language learners around the world as well
as offers expert help in grammar and vocabulary and a chance for students to
publish their writing online.
Interactive, Online Writing Labs (OWLs) , such as the
one offered by the University of Michigan, http://www.lsa.umich.edu/ecb/OWL/owl.html,
can be resources for students in online ESL classes or undergraduate
English and writing courses. Also, http://www.arcana.com/shannon/writing.html is
a list of Writer's Resources, including online workshops.
Benefits
Students have direct contact with other learners
Students have direct contact with a variety of teachers
and are exposed to different teaching styles.
Students have "real-life" communication
through email and chat with other learners and teachers.
Drawbacks
This activity may distract learners from other study
tasks.
