Click the link below to access my graphic organizer:
Graphic Organizer
The responsibility of engaging learners falls on the shoulders of the instructor with teacher cognitive, social and teaching presence necessary to facilitate learning. Anderson (2008) said cognitive presence facilitates “serious learning”; social presence “relates to establishing a supportive environment”; and teaching presence “is critical” (p. 344). Engaging learners presents a unique challenge in the online learning environment that requires strategies and tools specialized for that learning modality.
Graphic Organizer
The responsibility of engaging learners falls on the shoulders of the instructor with teacher cognitive, social and teaching presence necessary to facilitate learning. Anderson (2008) said cognitive presence facilitates “serious learning”; social presence “relates to establishing a supportive environment”; and teaching presence “is critical” (p. 344). Engaging learners presents a unique challenge in the online learning environment that requires strategies and tools specialized for that learning modality.
With online instruction, the teacher’s role has shifted to
more of a passive role with the student taking the active role in the learning
process. Siemens said the instructor is
the “network administrator” (Learn Online, 2007) and students use a variety of
technological resources to network (research) to complete assignments.
My graphic organizer shows the instructor as central to the
learning process, providing impetus to engage and involve students in their learning. The instructor establishes
and moderates learning communities, and from learning communities students collaborate
with each other via blogs, wikis, interactive chat programs, discussion boards
and so forth. Learning communities also
provide peer review and interaction that can assist the learner with clarity,
understanding, and personal/professional improvement in writing, critical
thinking, and the like.
The instructor also points the student to online resources
such as libraries, links, bookstores, tutorial and writing centers, as well as
audio, video, whiteboard technology and other electronic resources that can aid
in the learning process. All of these
resources and tools engage and involve the student in his/her own learning and provide
strategies for a productive online learning experience.
References
Anderson,
T. (2008). The theory and practice of online learning. (2nd ed.). Edmonton, AB:
Athabasca University Press.
Learn Online. (September 20, 2007). 10 minute lecture – George Siemens –
curatorial teaching. Retrieved
from http://learnonline.wordpress.com/2007/09/20/10-minute-lecture-george-siemens-curatorial-teaching/
Hi AJ,
ReplyDeleteSo, I am wondering...Anderson (2008) expresses that teaching presence is "critical" (p. 344) and then goes on to say that, "the teaching role goes beyond moderating the learning experiences when the teacher adds subject-matter expertise through...direct instruction" (p. 345). That concept seems completely at odds with that of Siemen's who, in your words, described as the teacher’s role as having "shifted to more of a passive role with the student taking the active role in the learning process." While I agree that there is great benefit to the learner autonomy that Siemens (2008) promotes, I can't help but wonder if there need be a balance of the two. I also think that we need to take into consideration the population of learners who we are teaching. The degree of direct instruction vs. autonomy may look completely different for an online post-secondary student than a middle school distance learner. What do you think?
Cathy
References
Anderson, T. (2008). The theory and practice of online learning. (2nd ed.). Edmonton, AB: Athabasca University Press.
Siemens, G. (2008, January). Learning and knowing in networks: Changing roles for educators and designers. ITForum.
Hi AJ,
ReplyDeleteYour description of the role of the instructor is very well developed and utilizes the curator model identified by Siemens. As I have reflected on my teaching experience I have found that I utilize the curator role more in the later part of the learning process. I have ensure that my students have a concrete understanding of the concept prior to allowing them to explore and analyze the concept. I am wondering will the need of teachers in the primary, intermediate, and high school grades hinder the use of online instruction creation for these age groups with this belief in pedagogy. What do you think?