Implementing Your Technology

Tools for Implementation:

1. Course pages (Black Board, TWEN, SharePoint (Microsoft), regular internet, blogger, Google).

2. Streaming media created by the professor (podcasts, other video that can be embedded into site)

3. Streaming media from other sources (YouTube, etc.)

4. Virtual drop boxes (for handing in assignments or sending in questions anonymously)

5. Online discussion forums (discussion boards, live real-time chat outside of the classroom, or real time chat during classroom discussion)

6. Course libraries (document pools available to students)

7. Announcements (posted only or posted and e-mailed)

8. Social networking (for community building, information push, as a substitute for a course page)

9. Twitter (I don't love Twitter, but the short statements may work well as brief reminders)

10. Virtual classrooms inside of games (i.e. second life)

Online Discussion Fora

Challenges:

1. Participants get information in text or fixed (streaming) audio-visual formats

2. Body language and tone of voice are either not present, or not present as a response to student work and comments

3. Research suggests that people are less polite in online fora because of the sense of anonymity the format creates

Solutions:

1. Tell students what your expectation are: create a code of conduct

2. Format questions in careful ways (Grutter and Gratz)

3. Challenge students to make all of their comments logical and precise

4. Delete responses that do not rely on the underlying material for support

5. Delete otherwise inappropriate responses

T.I.P.S.

Tone is important; take care when setting yours. It will inform your students'.

Information is essential; facts and the text of the material should be the root of all points, exercises, etc.

Personalizing is never allowed; whether positive or negative, all responses should be about substance.

Style is important; write in complete sentences whenever possible and never type in all caps (this reads like shouting)

Streaming Video

Challenges:

1. Information overload

2. Different students with different needs

3. Difficulty in tailoring streaming media perfectly to course material

Solutions:

1. There is so much out there -- pick and choose with care.

2. Be sure that clips are appropriate to and reinforce the material.

3. Don't add superfluous material; if you don't find the perfect clips, don't add anything.

a) Students will appreciate your careful integration of media and will be more likely to pay attention when you do choose to use it.