Transcript Developing Student Orientation Modules for Online

Orientation Modules for Online Education:
Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
and Rowan University
Diane Holtzman, Dennis Fotia
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
and
Michael Ciocco, Rowan University
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning
November 3-5, 2010 Orlando, FL
Need for Orientation to
Distance Education
The distinctive nature of an online course as
compared to a face-to-face (F2F) course:
• Both teaching and learning to be addressed
• Technology also needs to be addressed
• Students must be prepared for Distance
Education
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Why have a Student Orientation
for Distance Education?
• To free individual faculty from having to determine if
a student is ready for an online course
• For the student to self-assess his/her own readiness
for online learning
• To make sure that students understand the nature of
online education and are realistic about the type and
amount of work involved
• To explain what is involved in the particular
institution’s online courses
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Learning Outcomes of Online
Orientation at Stockton
• To learn or get a refresher on basic technology, time
management, and organizational and study skills.
• To learn how to write and read in an academic,
online environment.
• To learn the basics of online etiquette, or netiquette.
• To find out specifically how Stockton offers its
Distance Education courses.
• To be able to decide for yourself if you are ready to
take an online course.
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Middle States Commission on Higher Education Publication
Endorsed by all
Regional Accrediting Associations
• Student support consists of many components, including
assisting “the prospective student in understanding
independent learning expectations as well as the nature and
potential challenges of learning in the program’s technologybased environment.”
(http://www.msche.org/publications/distguide020502081357
13.pdf, p. 15).
• The Commission notes the importance of student preparation
for online or distance learning, and the institution’s necessary
commitment to facilitating this preparation.
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
USDLA Journal
“All first-time distance education students should be given a
clear statement of course requirements in advance. This
should include: 1) all course requirements; 2) the weekly time
commitment and specific computer skills required by the
course; and 3) a presentation of the practical difficulties of
working at a distance and what is needed to manage those
challenges successfully.”
http://www.usdla.org/html/journal/NOV01_Issue/article03.html
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Online Orientation To Promote
Interactive Learning
• Good practice encourages students to “discuss”
course work with one another in online environment
• Good practice also encourages students to “discuss”
course work with professor in online environment
• Orientation can introduce students to these critical
concepts
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Why an Orientation?
Rowan University CGCE
• Welcome Back!
▫ Most students are Continuing Ed
 Community College Transfers
 Taking on a Masters/Doctorate Program
 Adding to their credentials
▫ Lapse since Students last participated in a class environment
• Are You Ready for This?
▫ Technophile = Computer Literate (NOT always TRUE)
 Many recent Grads who start a Continuing Ed or Graduate
program lack essential computer skills
▫ Online/Hybrid courses are convenient & flexible, but still
require commitment
 Student Perception: Online = Easy (Almost Never True)
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Goals of Orientation
Rowan University CGCE
• Get Students Started Early
▫ Prepares students before the first class starts
• Set Expectations
▫ Make clear the style of the course offerings (online,
hybrid, web assisted)
▫ Expected Commitments
▫ Policies and Procedures
• Inform students about how to access Services
▫ Technical Support
▫ Administrative Support (registration, financial aid,
grades)
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Limitations of Orientation
Rowan University CGCE
• Bound Orientation Materials such that they
▫ Are pertinent to the first-time student
▫ Do not dive much below the surface
 Do not drown the first-time student in a sea of comprehensive
information
▫ Provide Training Just in Time
 Retention of training materials and information is often poor
when not put immediately into practice
▫ Require minimal support
 “Self Service” style orientations force students to explore the
material
 Make this easy to maintain and update for your institution
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Commitment to Customer Service
Rowan University CGCE
• Encourage Students to Help Themselves
▫ Provide 1st Tier Self-Service Support
• Make Assistance Available
▫ 2nd Tier 24/7 Tech Support
• Make Escalation of Issues a Process
▫ Only justified, on-going problems should receive priority
• How to Commit Students to Orientation?
▫ “We Told You So” approach
 Warn Students of the Perils of not Completing the Orientation
Course
▫ Some faculty/programs integrate it into their courses
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Interactive exercise
• Audience quiz-3 questions (Diane)
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Overview of Online Orientation Modules
Stockton College
• Basic Technology
• Time Management, Study Skills and
Organizational Skills
• Written Communication and Reading
• Netiquette
• Distance Education at Stockton
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Overview of Online Orientation Modules
Stockton College
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Basic Technology
Basic word processing skills
Cutting and pasting
Using mouse (right click)
Search engines
Course Management Systems (CMS/LMS)
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Overview of Online Orientation Modules
Stockton College
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Time Management, Study Skills and Organizational Skills
Use of calendars and PDAs for class assignments
Creating “to-do” list
Organizing work area
Saving work/creating back ups
File management (organization)
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Overview of Online Orientation Modules
Stockton College
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Written Communication and Reading
Emphasize amount of reading and writing in an online
course
Importance of writing clearly
Importance of grammar, punctuation, and citations
Diversity of writing assignments: discussion posts,
formal research, and blogs
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Overview of Online Orientation Modules
Stockton College
Netiquette
• Online courtesy and respect for each other
• Limit use of acronyms and emoticons
• Avoiding improper postings and “IM-ese”
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Overview of Online Orientation Modules
Stockton College
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Distance Education
CMS/LMS
Technical support/help desk
Registration procedures
Mandatory and additional required meetings
Student evaluations of instruction (IDEA-SRI)
Plagiarism (Turnitin) and academic honesty
Library Online services
Distributed Education instructional methods
(hybrid/online)
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Examples of Student Tutorials
Stockton College
• DEO- Distance Education Orientation at The Richard
Stockton College of NJ
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Orientation Methodology
Rowan University CGCE
• Keep it To The Point
▫ Blackboard Training Materials are provided in each course:
Bb Help Center
▫ Orientation teaches students how to quickly access the
training materials WHEN they need them [Just in Time]
▫ Short and sweet –videos are approx 5 minutes long
• Easily Accessible
▫ Housed as a course in the Blackboard system
▫ The Orientation is available 21 days prior to a student’s very
first course
▫ It remains available for as long as the student is registered
with CGCE classes at Rowan
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Orientation Design
Rowan University CGCE
• Theme: Blackboard Boot Camp
▫ Students are Cadets in Boot Camp
▫ Instructions in the form of a Mission Briefing
• Core Content Consists of 6 Five-Minute Videos = 30 Min
Total
▫ Voice-Over PPT Video plays On Demand (YouTube.com
hosted works on Mobile Platform)
▫ Students do not have to complete in one sitting
• General Theme: “Where you should go for…”
• Contains a Blackboard Practice Area
▫ Setup like a sample course with REAL content
▫ Students are encouraged to test Computers with Bb tools
• Wraps up with Exit Survey
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Orientation Modules
Rowan University CGCE
• Introduction – Sets the tone and expectations for the orientation
and videos to follow.
• Systems & Services – Learn where to access Student Portal,
Blackboard, Banner, Tech Support, etc.
• Computer Prep – Perform a computer compatibility check; learn
how to manage computer issues
• Course Structure – Presentation of standardized Rowan CGCE
course structure and how to navigate the course in Blackboard
• Course Syllabus – Overview of standardized Rowan CGCE course
syllabus
• Blackboard Tools – Overview of Blackboard course tools; what
each tool is for and where to access it
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Video Module Design
Rowan University CGCE
• Common Components
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Title Slide with definitive title
Session Overview: defines learning goals of the video
General Content
Session Wrap Up: reviews learning goals of the video
an recaps any important points.
• Recordings (Voice-Over) are scripted. Script & Slides
available for download (PDF) for ADA compliance
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Exit Survey Feedback (144 Participants)
• Well Done Aspects
▫ “The field test was set up really well. It was helpful to be able test every aspect of the
Blackboard and address any issues as they came up.”
▫ “The section with the training videos were extremely helpful because they illustrated each
part of the blackboard as opposed to having to read it.”
• Areas for Improvement
▫ “My personal observation was that there should have been some practical demonstrations,
for instance, how the discussion board is used.”
▫ “I had some difficulty hearing the narrator's voice even though my volume was turned all
the way up.”
▫ “Maybe the videos can be incorporated into the field test so you can actually do the activity
after it being described to you.”
• General
▫ “This is the first time I will be taking an online course. I really appreciate the tutorial, and I
think it will allow me to navigate Blackboard much more easily than I would have been able
to if I had not had the tutorial. Thanks!”
▫ “The tutorial was very useful to gain an overview and to check and update my computer for
optimal performance. The videos and pdfs will be useful to refer back to if or when I have
questions once I begin my classes”
▫ “Make it available immediately upon registration.”
Orientation Demo
Rowan University CGCE
• CGCE Student Blackboard Tutorial – CGCE Blackboard
System
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Q and A
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.
Thank you for attending our session!
Special thanks to the following Stockton College
staff and students:
• Dr. Debra Dagavarian, Assistant Provost
• Dan Gambert, Orientation Web designer
• Actors: Robert Brandhorst, Lauren Jackson,
Aileen Zocolla
• Stockton Video Productions
Holtzman, Fotia & Ciocco. Orientation Modules for Online Education: Guiding Learners to Success in Online Courses
Presented at the Sloan-C 16th Annual International Conference on Online Learning Nov 3-5, 2010 in Orlando, FL.