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Communication
needs . . .
of
Instructors
Good
communication is essential in establishing the appropriate transactional
distance between instructor and learner. Communication should
be provided for in a variety of ways. Communication among the
learners themselves is a key to the success of an online course.
This type of communication is not natural
The
following are means that could be utilized to establish and
encourage communication between instructor and learner:
- establish
a profile site where background information on instructor
and learners can be posted and accessed
- email
(individual and to entire class)
- pushed
messages via course web site
- chat
capabilities (text, voice, visuals) with established times
- discussion
forum (asynchronous)
- encourage
online community for classmates
- office
hours by phone available
of
Learners
It
is most likely that the learners in an online course will never
meet their instructor face to face. It is imperative that there
be means for dialog between the instructor and the learner.
Peer interaction is another important component of effective
learning. Interaction between members of the class will positively
influence the learning that takes place.
The
following are the means that could be used to establish and
foster good communication with the instructor and fellow learners:
- e-mail
with instructor and fellow learners (individually or by group)
- chat
capabilities
- discussion
forum (asynchronous)
- online
community with classmates and instructor
- office
hours available to contact instructor by phone
The
approach to communication...
for
Instructors and Learners
The communications tools are one of the strengths of the e-education
software. In addition to e-mail and lists that an instructor
might set up independent of the software, two excellent tools
are a part of the software package. The first is a chat package
that includes an interactive whiteboard. (Fig.
1)
The
chat feature works pretty much like any other and is very good.
The whiteboard makes the chat feature many times more useful.
The ability to add mathematical symbols along with a very intuitive
interface made the whiteboard feature very easy to learn.
The
chat feature is great when classmates are able to mesh their
schedules. There are many times, however, when they are not
able to be online in a synchronous fashion. There is a forum
set up through the e-education software. (Fig.
2) It appears to be from the same mold as most familiar
forums and provides opportunity for some asynchronous interaction.
Another
type of communication tool provided is for feedback. (Fig.
3) This can be set up to provide feedback on the instructor
or the course and can be delivered to a source of the disigner's
choice.
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