Best Practices
Guide
Note: Through this best practices guide the trainer
will be able to use this information in order to effectively transition his
training course to a fully online course. Each of these three areas is crucial
for understanding and providing steps for the transition.
·
The
Role of the Instructor in Providing Structure
One crucial area that should be considered in the planning process is
establishing structure and clear learning objectives listed. This
can be created through a checklist, syllabus or goals/objectives listed for the course
under each material or training. Clear structure and learning objectives before
the course even begins or before all this information is converted online
establishes a relationship and expectation between the instructor and the
student, or in this case the trainee and the trainers. Anyone taking a an
online course needs to know and understand the expectations and requirements to
complete the course of study before they even begin. When planning a course no
one should assume that everyone has taken an online class or is familiar with
technology. With this in mind the instructor or trainee is responsible for
clearly guiding each student. Simonson, Smaldino & Zvacek (2015) that,
“students who have not taken a distance learning course, either synchronous or
asynchronous, need guidance as to what they are expected to do. It is the
responsibility of the instructor, when designing a course, to be certain that
there are hints and suggestions, clearly articulated expectations”
(p.193). Through providing a syllabus,
online calendar and clear learning objectives before each week’s assignments
will serve as great aides for students (Simonson, Smaldino & Zvacek, 2015).
·
Assessing the Learners
The characteristics of
modern distance learner can be vast and span across various cultures, age and
geography. With this in mind, I believe that the first role of the
instructional designer will be to learn general characteristics of their
participants in their learning environment so they can shape instruction
accordingly. Even though this may be challenging because of distance, time or
separation it will prove valuable. Simonson, Smaldino & Zvacek (2015) state
that, “knowledge of the students can assist the distance educator in overcoming
the sensation of separation of the instructor and the student and can ensure
that the learning experience will be positive” (p.189). After these general
characteristics are considered the instructional designer can then approach his
learning design with more clarity as to “who” he or she is going to be
educating and build a course around these learning tendencies. Ertmer
and Newby (1993) state that, “online instruction must be based on a student’s
existing mental structures, or schema, to be effective. It should organize
information in such a matter that learners are able to connect new information
with existing knowledge” (pg. 60). While it is going to be impossible to base
an entire online course structure upon individual learning characteristics,
gathering these general learning characteristics will help shape the learning
environment as a whole
·
5
Attributes of Successful Distance Learners
If the trainer is
seeking to change the format into an online training styled format, he or she
must also consider the characteristics that distance learners need to be
successful. This list will help he or she prepare an orientation for his
trainees.
#1
Time management Skills
The flexibility of
distance learning classroom has its clear advantages and is very conducive for
today’s modern learner in that it allows the student to work, take care of
family and attend school. While this
flexibility for the adult learner might seem ideal it also requires serious
skills of time management. The ability to manage time is the major factor of
encouraging students to succeed as a distance learner. As a distance learner,
it is vital to know that you will not receive persistent reminders about
quizzes that are coming up, projects that are scheduled, or deadlines for
papers that must be submitted. This means that the student must utilize some
sort of time management system in order to keep track of everything. Having a
time management strategy can help an individual avoid procrastination.
#2
Independent or Self-Learner
Distance learners
should be independent, self-directed individuals. The online environment
enables students to learn at their own pace, relieving some of the pressure of
traditional seated learning and making learning more enjoyable, but this
requires that the student is able to identify learning goals and objectives and
focus their attention accordingly. Distance learners must become independent
problem solvers, doing their own research and expanding their life-long
learning skills. This process helps them develop critical thinking skills, and
the ability to interpret and synthesize reading materials and research papers
with differing points of view and in the process develop their own positions
and beliefs about the subject matter.
#3
Goal Driven
This attribute is in line with being a self-learner, but in
order to be effective in an online classroom and keep pace with the information
being a goal minded individual is crucial. Online classes move quickly and
instructors often will not allow students to make up missed online discussions
or assignments. This means that discipline and goals will play a vital role.
#4 Good Collaboration skills.
Many distance learning
environments and courses require good collaborative and group management skills
for group projects and discussions of study topics. The ability to
collaborative work toward a goal, or collaborate in a discussion is helpful for
distance students. Students may be asked to work within a group in various
capacities to support a collaborative effort for discussion, research, or
project, so social skills as well as communication and respect of the other
students is vital. Working together in an unemotional and civil fashion, and
coping with the personalities of the others in the group may be challenging but
these skills are needed in distance education as well as in most aspects of
life
#5
Basic Computer Proficiency
Some computer and
Information literacy is necessary for a distance learner. Distance learners
should possess a working knowledge of email, the Internet, and basic keyboard
skills. Distance learners may be required to develop skills for researching and
locating information from various sources and differentiate and evaluate them
for inclusion in distance learning assignments and research projects.
Resources
Laureate
Education (Producer). (n.d.). Developing online courses [Video file].
Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Simonson,
M., Smaldino, S., & Zvacek, S. (2015). Teaching and learning at a
distance: Foundations of distance education
Ertmer,
P. A., & Newby, T. J. (1993). Behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism:
Comparing critical features from an instructional design perspective. Performance
Improvement Quarterly, 6(4), 50–71.
