IDROO

 A great web site for teachers involved in technology.




http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/03/comprehensive-guide-to-google-free.html

Video Resources

Get Online

Lately, I have been getting quite a few emails from teachers who want to learn how to create an online course. The problem with the term “online course” is that the phrase can mean many things to many people. Therefore, it is very frustrating when you are trying to identify a plan of action for client that wants to develop a course, or wants advice on how to manage the course they are currently using. Where do you start?

The following is the homework assignment that can help future teachers with online courses.

1.       Examine other virtual online course sites and take notice to the program they are using.

2.       Determine if their clients are private, public or higher education schools.

3.       Locate their type of curriculum and how it is used for the students and the teachers.

4.       Decide if you could learn how to use their learning format.

Developing Content

If you feel that developing content for a course is your game, then I would suggest that you sign up for Coursesites.com. You can add five free courses that can have twenty five students per class. This would be the first place to start your journey on course development. I would rate the margin of difficulty as moderate.

Next, it would behoove you investigate Moodle. This web site will require you to review the different ways that you can use Moodle. It will take you time to really understand the uses and benefits that Moodle can offer. You may find out that you are not ready to utilize this program; therefore another option would be to practice your course development on Brain Honey. This format could be more uses –friendly.

Learning on the Job

You could jump in and get a part time job teaching online, and develop your skills while you are teaching. The big problem with this proposal is the amount of PhD’s that are looking for teaching positions. If you don’t have the specific credentials, your chances are going to be limited.

So now What!

Create your own niche by researching, learning, and analyzing your specific interests in online courses. If this is your passion, then you will be more likely to succeed. Ask specific questions that identify your concerns and your interests.

Craig@mydestinationtrainer.com 

Voice Thread for Online Education

I have been using hotspot from Verizon for my internet access, while I am waiting for my AT and T service to be installed. Yes, I am attached to the internet and many other techno devices that come down the line. I am at their mercy when it comes to hurry up and wait. But don’t worry; there are many devices and social networks that can give you a warm fuzzy feeling. Yes, in terms of social networks, your wish can be granted in one easy log in. For my needs, there are only a few social networks that are worth the time or energy when it comes to online education.

What about the techno programs for online education? Which one gives you a warm fuzzy feeling? For me, voice thread is a unique format for giving presentations that conform to your time table. Webinars don’t have asynchronous commentaries. You have to be at that webinar in order to make comments or ask questions. With voice thread you can send invitations, keep it private or public, and have your participants comment at anytime, and ask as many questions that are necessary for their training needs. I like this format because voice thread sends you an email when someone comments on your presentation.

I am currently uploading a few presentations that will be sent out to previous respondents that requested information for creating an online course. Check out voicethread.com and register for free. If you want to be included in my private voice thread presentations, then please send me an email at craig@mydestinationtrainer.com

What is your favorite techno program?

Have you ever created an online course?

Do you have any tips or suggestions that would help teachers create an online course.

    

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Dr. Nellie Muller Deutsch on March 7, 2012

Developing your Online Course

This will be a follow-up to my previous forum news letter that talked about teachers and online education. As previously mentioned, teachers need to embrace the technology that is involved in online education. They need to look at it as a helping tool rather than a detriment to their productivity and creativity in the classroom. The first step that they should take is to decide on what subject area they want to work on before they start adding material to the LMS format.

The first file that I would start to develop is called the technology toolbox. Within this file you are gathering information for your online course that can be utilized as you are developing the specific information within your course. In other words it should already be in a file that you can click on to and add to your course. For example, you should be thinking about things that you can add to your videos, discussions, wikis, blogs, content, general information and the syllabus. There are specific areas that will need content information. They are the following:

·         Introduction

·         Syllabus

·         Course Content

The introduction is going to describe the course, some of the learning outcomes, and the approximate length of time. The syllabus should be a skill that most teachers are familiar with. It has to be placed within the content of the online course. The course content will involve the number of units and subunits associated with that particular course.

I have been working on a course for environmental science for course sites.com. Within my introduction I give a brief explanation of the total scope of the course. I usually use a standard syllabus from other areas that I have used in that particular course. The course content in my opinion should be the exact titles of the units that you have used from other textbooks. The subunits should be listed under each unit. These three areas are the most important ones that you will have to work before you start on any other areas of the course development.

So let us go over what we would place in the technology toolbox thus far.

·         A comprehensive introduction

·         A standard syllabus

·         Course content that shows all of the units and subunits contained in the course

The next stage would be to identify videos that pertain to each unit within your course content. Your sources for this information can be you tube, discovery education, slide share, and other sources, such as Houghton, Mifflin and Harcourt. Textbook publishers have a wide variety of videos for all subject areas. After selecting your videos, you will need to develop a set of discussion questions that pertain to each subunit. Most LMS programs have an area where you can insert the discussion questions for that topic.

The next topic will pertain to LMS programs that are easy to use within the online education format. Please send me an email with the name of the LMS program that you are working with. Is anyone using Angel, Blackboard or Moodle?

My email is craig@mydestinationtrainer.com