Unit 4 Reflections: Online Teaching and E-Moderating
March 24^th – April 6^th, 2008

This unit of study shifted focus from the design and development of web-based learning to the role of the moderator and many of the readings provided in this unit certainly allow me time to view online learning form the  moderator's perspective, something that I have never really done before.

In their article How Can Instructors and Administrators Fill the Missing Link in Online Instruction?, Roberson and Koltz describe how a number of methods can be implemented to help address the lack of personal interaction between students and professors in online learning environment. The authors describe how it should be the “dual  responsibility” of both the deliverer and administrator of the online courses to ensure that a high level of interactivity exists among students participating in online courses. In addition to a brief background where the authors outline many of the cultural features associated with online courses, their main focus deals with a number of strategies that can be utilized to “maintain quality interactivity in the online learning environment.”

E-mail, chat, electronic mailing lists, bulletin boards, and threaded discussion are some of the methods the authors outline in their paper that would help enhance student interactivity “and establish a culture that fosters collegiality and interactivity in online courses.” While the scope of this review limits any detailed discussion of these technologies, it is important to note in accordance with both authors that through these synchronous and asynchronous communication methods the possibility for higher levels of communication can be maintained among class members and the professor. As Roberson and Koltz stated, in reference to using the aforementioned communication methods in their courses, “students in our courses develop a high degree of camaraderie and reported developing personal relationships outside that if the course.”

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Resources

Social Studies Audio/Visual/Multimedia Resources

MI Websites

Constructivism on the Web

Original Technology Integration

Teaching With Technology: Microsoft Publisher in the Social Studies Classroom

EDU 537 Group Project Promoting Tourism in Newfoundland & Labrador WebQuest

Canadian Battlefields Tour of Europe Blog (March 23 - April 1, 2008)

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