What makes good e-Learning? :What makes good e-Learning? L. Kelly Kirk, Program Director Distance Education Health & Public Safety Division


Biography: :Education & Credentials: Paramedic Certificate Davidson County Community College (1995) AAS in EMS from Davidson County Community College (2000) E-Learning Design Certificate (Training 2006 Workshop by William Horton) Currently Working toward BS in Healthcare Management via Distance Education through Pfeiffer University in Charlotte (Senior Status) Additional Online Studies from University of Phoenix NC Level II EMS Instructor Biography: Kelly is the Distance Education Coordinator and Developer for the Health & Public Safety Division of Davidson County Community College (DCCC). With his help DCCC launched North Carolina’s first entirely online Paramedic Certificate to Associates Degree Bridging Program in August of 2000. He is currently responsible for directing over 100 online and Hybrid courses annually, developing content, course design for Emergency Services courses, and providing professional development opportunities via e-learning to his distance education staff. Experience: (2000-2005) Designed and Taught EMS 280, 235, 140 (2005-Present) Designed over 50 CE courses


Who are you? :Who are you? Introduce yourself to 1 person sitting close to you and tell them…. Who you are Your Expertise & Background Why you are here Don’t Forget ME!!!


Distance Learning Inventory: How many of you have ever…. :Distance Learning Inventory: How many of you have ever…. …taken an online course …taught an online course …developed an online course


Today: :Today: Learning Paradigm shift By 2010 college freshmen will not remember life before computers.


Different Type of Learner: :Different Type of Learner:


Traditional Educators :Traditional Educators Years of experience Wisdom Trials & Tribulations Tons of Best Practices


Academia’s Problem: :Academia’s Problem: Recognize the shift Push Traditional Instructors to Put courses online with no formal training. Poor quality Talking heads Static powerpoint Reading assignments & Discussions


What is our plan for this workshop? :What is our plan for this workshop? Discuss what e-learning is Meet our teams “Experience Research” Discuss best and worst practices


Group Assignments: :Group Assignments:


Group Assignments: :Group Assignments: Your First Group assignment: Introduce your self to your group What is e-Learning?


What is e-Learning? :What is e-Learning? Talking Heads? Text on a screen? Fancy Design Software?


What is e-Leaning? :What is e-Leaning? Online Books?


What is e-Learning? :What is e-Learning? Discussion Boards


What is e-Learning? :What is e-Learning? Fancy Design Software?


What is e-Learning? :What is e-Learning? Talking Heads?


Question: :Question: Is e-Learning as effective as traditional face to face courses?


Answer: :Answer: It depends on… Instructor/Course Design Learners


Traditional Courses: :Traditional Courses: Are Traditional Courses Always effective?


Group Inventory: :Group Inventory: What was your favorite face to face class? What made this class stand out? Can this be done online?


Group Inventory: How many of you have ever…. :Group Inventory: How many of you have ever…. …taken a BAD online course In your groups discuss what specifically made this course “BAD” _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________


How to create a bad online course: :How to create a bad online course: Don’t give clear instructions / navigational directions in the course Don’t communicate with the students Don’t participate in discussions Don’t return e-mail or voice mail Wait until the very end of the course to return graded assignments


How to create bad online courses: :How to create bad online courses: Put folders inside of folders inside of folders Don’t Chunk Assume they will read Post important information in only one place


How to create a bad online course: :How to create a bad online course: Use fancy media that requires plug-ins Don’t tell students upfront Let them try to figure it out on their own (Long download times)


Lets look at a few examples: :Lets look at a few examples:


Group Inventory: How many of you have ever…. :Group Inventory: How many of you have ever…. …taken a GREAT online course In your groups discuss what specifically made this course “GREAT” _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________


Key Components of a GOOD Online class: The “Shuns” :Key Components of a GOOD Online class: The “Shuns” Clear Navigation Clear Expectations Interaction Instructor-student Student-student Student-Content Timely Communication


How to create a great online course: :How to create a great online course: Clearly outline your expectations How and where to put/find assignments Something TANGIBLE Clearly outline student expectations “All assignments will be returned by…” “e-mail will be returned within 36 hours”


How to create a great online course: :How to create a great online course: Communicate with students Return e-mail and voice mail promptly


How to create a great online course: :How to create a great online course: Put the students in charge of their own learning “Idolgogy” Use appropriate Multimedia to address various learning styles “Disnegogy”


How to create a great online course: :How to create a great online course: Foster networking within the class Don’t let them think they are alone Engage the students in interaction Play games Create Scenarios


How to create a great online course: :How to create a great online course: “CHUNK” material No more than 1 hr at a time Post important items in multiple locations


Lets look at some examples: :Lets look at some examples: Use of video 2.25mb (WMV) Navigation Disnegogy Interactivity


More Examples: :More Examples: “Roadmap” Interactivity Interactivity “Chunked”


What other experts are saying… :What other experts are saying… From Campus Technology Magazine: “As with any learning environment, the most worthwhile student experiences emerge when students can interact with their educators.” (Villano, 2008) From the Online Cl@ssroom publication: “…research shows that loneliness…drives away a lot of online students.” (Terrell, 2008)


Seven Principles of Effective Teaching: A Practical Lens for Evaluating Online Courses :Seven Principles of Effective Teaching: A Practical Lens for Evaluating Online Courses


Quality Rubric Developed by MarylandOnline :Quality Rubric Developed by MarylandOnline


It all boils down to this: :It all boils down to this: Ease of Use Communication Interaction-Engagement TIMELY Feedback Clear Expectations Clear Navigation Software


Sources: :Sources: Horton, William. E-Learning By Design Workshop, Training 2006 Conference. Orlando, Fla. http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/eLearningForDev/default.htm http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/k4levels/index.htm http://training.usgs.gov/TEL/ISD/Evaluations.html www.wikipedia.com Villano, M (January 2008). 13 Tips for Virtual World Teaching. Campus Technology, 21(5), 41-46. Terrell, S (2008).Consider Learner Characteristics, Learning Conditions in Course Design. Online Cl@ssroom. ?, 8. http://technologysource.org/article/seven_principles_of_effective_teaching/ Quality Matters FIPSE Grant project online: http://www.qualitymatters.org/FIPSE.htm


Questions? :Questions? L. Kelly Kirk, III Program Director Distance Education Health and Public Safety lkkirk@davidsonccc.edu Office: 336-224-4791 My Blog: http://kellyk.wordpress.com