The first thing that our text talks about is the this digital age is having huge impact on the learner. People in general want to be part of something. So the first thing that we need to be careful of is not having a wiki that does anything for people. We do not want to generate a project that is simply reading pages, browsing, sticking messages out there, or just have them do it all alone, by themselves. So the first hiccup to overcome is how to make it collaborative. Today we must present something that is real world and can be solved by working with others. In order to create such a thing educators must become aware of the best practice when using the wikis(1).
The end goal of e-learning is that the education provides experiences to the students that are meaningful. Such is not passive activities, just reading and writing. The student must be an active participant. So build this wiki as you would any good lesson, from the start thinking of the best approach for the student. Make the wiki have purpose, not just something to pass the time or to meet a standard objective. The educator must define the goal of the project, you set the bar before the project is started. All material supports the purpose and goal, a process called framing. Prepare the student, same as you would in the start of any lesson, like a focus and review. Testing the waters to access prior knowledge and prepare for the upcoming lesson. Become a promoter; actively support the collaborative process (21, 22).
I have selected a few of the problems that can occur, even after careful planning.
Nontraditional students. A large majority of the time these students are working adults with families and bills to pay, they are putting forth great effort to “attend” the classes. They choose such education because it fits their busy schedule. Be sure to have the goal clearly set because nontraditional students are much more goal oriented (25).
Their learning must be autonomous and learner centered. The learner must feel as though they are working in a group to get the maximum benefit. The text calls this social learning. It is as though they are working with fellow employees on a team working to solve a real world problem. The problem must not lack reason or purpose, if this happens you have lost your learner. We have all heard of the diploma mill online colleges that just have you take quick DB, then multiple choice tests, then finally a vaguely interested paper at the end. Even if a learner received such a degree would they feel as though they earned it? Make the experience meaningful (26).
Skill level of learner. We have all doubt at times felt that we are overwhelmed, perhaps on the first day of a new job or that last assignment due at finals. We become burdened and loaded down, almost as though we are ready to drop it and walk away. If we have failed to understand our learner’s prior knowledge we have just done that same thing to our students. Understand what cognitive level they are on, can they even write well enough to become a participant in the wiki, the core of most wikis would be writing and editing. Can your student navigate the web as this project would require? Do they work well in groups? What are their personality traits? The instructor must be the person who knows and understands the students. This would be part of the careful planning and intentional design. You must make this skill level appropriate for the learners involved. Build off their prior knowledge and work with what they know (27, 28).
Instructor. I feel that above all other qualms with e-learning the instructor would play the largest role. You must take time to make the course meaningful and each project must take into account the learner. Careful planning is required. Also you must become the facilitator of the project and ensure that all persons involved have correct behavior, make the rules before the project is underway and after started maintain proper conduct (29).
West, J.A. & West, M.L. (2009). Using wikis for online collaboration. San Francisco:
bigbachin@hotmail.com
db0101341@email.lmc.edu
boykinds@students.lmc.edu
No comments:
Post a Comment