Module 4 - Engaging Learners with New Strategies and Tools

Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. ~ Mattie Stepanek

Reflection

Content

Books, websites, YouTube or Webinars, and blogs provide students with the knowledge to decipher their learning material.  For example, YouTube and websites allow students to learn how to use computer programs, how to solve problems, or do anything that they desire.  Although books are "old-fashioned," students can explore the content to highlight pertinent facts or write ideas in the margins or bookmark with sticky notes.  There are also eBooks that give students the opportunity to listen to an audio version of a book.  Finally, blogs provide students with another person's views of issues and concepts.

Communication

Email, phones, online chats, and Facebook are ways for students and instructors to communicate.  For instance, students can email documents to share or write correspondence to arrange an online meeting.  While, a synchronous online chat or phone call gives students an opportunity to ask the instructor questions and clarify information about the course content.  Meetings with others are especially important since online learners do not get many opportunities to connect with students or instructors.  In other words, it helps the student feel connected to the school and their peers.  Finally, a group Facebook page is another way for the instructor to help students feel part of their online community.  Also, since many people check Facebook daily, students can get answers to questions relatively quickly.

Collaboration

Email, wikis, Google Docs, and Skype offer students the means for collaboration.  Students can email documents to each other for editing or advice.  While wikis and Google docs allow students or instructors to share their work with others who can insert comments into documents.  Finally, Skype gives students a chance to meet a live person to collaborate.  It is a way for students to see facial expressions and hand gestures and develop an academic relationship with their peers.

Forums

The discussion forum is the virtual classroom.  It is where students share their ideas, personal experiences and work with their classmates and instructor.  Students develop relationships in these forums and communicate with each other.  They learn to view the content from a different perspective, which may alter the way they perceive the world.  Finally, the forums are where students learn how to collaborate to understand the material.  Therefore, the forum is the most important engagement tool that the instructor can provide the student!