Online Classroom Challenges Presentation
Global Public News with the latest educational update.
Widely Used Online Activities Could Cause Loss of Critical Thinking Skills.
Mary Wiseman
Bay Path University
MHE632 Building Online Learning Communities
Professor Rena M. Palloff
April 5, 2015
GLOBAL PUBLIC NEWS WITH THE LATEST EDUCATIONAL UPDATE…
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Abstract:
How do online instructors move their online courses past the typical read, write and
discuss format? What are best practices to use instead of the sometimes-overused discussion
forum? How can online instructors design their online courses for greater student satisfaction and
student retention? This paper offers examples of ideas to encourage online faculty to reflect on
their own online activities and consider implementing new ideas in their online courses. In a
tongue-and-cheek replication of a news update I have attempted to create a broadcast in the
National Public News format style.
GLOBAL PUBLIC NEWS WITH THE LATEST EDUCATIONAL UPDATE…
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Online Classroom Challenges Presentation
Global Public News with the latest educational update.
Widely Used Online Activities Could Cause Loss of Critical Thinking Skills.
A national committee of instructional design experts shocked the online learning world,
when it announced that certain widely used online activities are probably detrimental to learning
online and causing un-necessary loss of critical thinking skills, even boredom in some learners.
The well-respected Global Agency for Instructional Design published a its conclusions in the
prestigious Click to Learn, online learning magazine aimed at an audience of online educators.
The announcement set off a wave of feverish reaction, because one of these online
activities, the discussion forum, is a pillar of the online classroom. Better known by its trade
name, Discussions, online forums are often used to simulate the type of communication that
occurs in face-to-face classrooms and is based upon practices implemented in the early 1990’s
when it was widely used across online bulletin boards, in an effort to build community. Since
then, it has been thought that Discussions were among the safest of online assignments.
Research is now showing The Discussion is a probable online course carcinogen when
applied incorrectly. In addition to Discussions other activities such as faculty Powerpoint
lectures presentations, reading case studies and writing papers are also aiding to the loss of
creativity and critical thinking skills in those students who engage in such online activities.
Research now claims that these strategies are more effective when combined with other
community building options.
We travelled to Columbia Southern University to speak with Dr. Al Infande, lead faculty
at Columbia Southern University, let’s hear what he has to say, “While some believe Discussions
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are harmless, they can also lead to sheer boredom for students in the online classroom, which
then impacts online student satisfaction and ultimately student retention.” (2013, Infande).
Maintaining student satisfaction is what many online programs grapple with and research
now shows that engaging online students –with social activities- leads to better retention rates.
All too often this is the type of conversation flashing across disgruntled online learners’
smartphones.
There are best practices that positively impact student satisfaction. Research proves that
engaging students and making them a part of the learning experience is critical for success in an
online classroom. In fact, studies prove that when online students engage in social activities those involving pair and group work as opposed to just individual work- report higher
satisfaction with their online learning and tend to stay in their programs. So we wondered, what
are best practices for moving an online classroom beyond the typical read, write and discuss
formats so often experienced?
Cornell University’s Team at the Center for Teaching Excellence recommends online
instructors include: pair work, small and larger group work, collaborations, allowing students to
choose activities to prove mastery of their knowledge and even allowing students to present their
work using multi-media presentations-instead of written papers.
The Cornell Team reminds online faculty to start small, model the behavior and scaffold the
learning. Why not empower students to use a variety of methods to communicate their
knowledge? Make the learning fun and interactive. (Cornell Website, 2015).
Experts from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation agree and report a list of key
strategies such as, “ Varying the delivery method of instruction, tailoring the learning experience
to meet individual student needs and supporting student collaboration and providing interactive
GLOBAL PUBLIC NEWS WITH THE LATEST EDUCATIONAL UPDATE…
experiences,” (2014, Gates). Move the online class past the read, write and discuss mode of
delivery.
The Global Agency for Instructional Design recognizes these finding do take more
planning. Faculty who strive incorporate more collaborative activities into their courses will
succeed in stimulating the minds of their online learners and ultimately retain those students
throughout their online programs. And that’s something we can all get online with.
This has been Mary Wiseman reporting for Global Public News.
This story was produced in part by the Global Agency for Instructional Design, a nonprofit,
independent consulting organization focused on innovation in online education.
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References:
Center for Teaching Excellence. (2015). Online Discussions. Cornell University Website.
Retrieved from: http://www.cte.cornell.edu/teaching-ideas/teaching-with-technology/onlinediscussions.html
Gates, B. and M. (2014). Teachers Know Best: What Educators Want from Digital Instructional
Tools. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Retrieved from:
http://collegeready.gatesfoundation.org/sites/default/files/Teachers%20Know%20Best_0.pdf
Infande, A. (2013. July, 8). A Dozen Strategies for Improving Online Student Retention.
Faculty Focus. Higher Education Teaching Strategies from MAGNA Publications. Online
Education. Retrieved from:
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/a-dozen-strategies-for-improving-onlinestudent-retention/
Multi-Media From Presentation:
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Committee= Dan Hetteix, the Noun Project
United States Outline = Juan Pablo Bravo, the Noun Project
Bored Students = Samuel de Angelis, the Noun Project
Feverish Reaction = Herbert Spencer, the Noun Project
Globe with Mouse = Creative Stall, the Noun Project
Skull and Cross Bones = Musket, the Noun Project
iPad Touch = Manuela Barroso, the Noun Project
Presentation = Piotrek Chuchla, the Noun Project
Reader at Computer = Bram van Rijen, the Noun Project
Mortar Board = Catia Marsh Mallow, the Noun Project
Happy Students = Natapon Chantabutr, the Noun Project
Fake Text = http://ifaketext.com/
Virtual Mobile Meeting = Wilson Joseph, the Noun Project
GLOBAL PUBLIC NEWS WITH THE LATEST EDUCATIONAL UPDATE…
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Virtual Presentation = iconsmind.com, the Noun Project
Virtual Audio Presentation = Yohann Berger, the Noun Project
Sitting Virtual Meeting = Julieta Felix, the Noun Project
Virtual Meeting with Computer = Wilson Joseph, the Noun Project
Globe with Mouse = Creative Stall, the Noun Project
Thinking Bubble, Juan Pablo Bravo, the Noun Project
Blue Ribbon, , Julynn B., the Noun Project
Chain of Power, APTYP A6T, the Noun Project
Work at Computer, Jared Fanning, the Noun Project
Loading Icon, BraveBros, the Noun Project
Working in Pairs, TukTuk Design, the Noun Project
Teacher, Duke Innovation Co-Lab, the Noun Project
New Introduction Music provided by SoundBible.com
http://soundbible.com/2041-News-Intro.html
Dr. Al Infande’s voice provided by Carey Andre Baker, April 4, 2015
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