Module 4 - Graphic Organizer

Today’s young people, commonly referred to as millennials, are using tools such as blogs, social networking, wikis, podcasts, and virtual worlds to explore and learn in the 21st Century (Siemens, 2008). Learning, as we know it has changed. No longer are we restricted to a classroom in a brick and mortar building. We can now learn any time, where ever we are, and when it is convenient. Teenage use of the Internet has reached an astounding 93% and continues to grow (Siemens, 2008). These tech savvy millennials are causing many colleges and universities to scurry around in order to offer more online learning opportunities, as they try to lure students to their programs.

 With technology growing at as fast a pace as Internet usage, what is the best way to engage today’s youth? What tools and strategies will work best with these digital learners? The answers are still not widely known, and trial and error will probably give us the answers we’re looking for, but unfortunately, not for many more years. In the meantime, there are some proven educational strategies that can be adapted for the online classroom, and used in conjunction with the technical tools available today. This combination can make for a very positive online learning experience.

Durrington, Berryhill, and Swafford (2006), stress “the importance of providing a learning environment that is supportive, open, and respectful through the use of a clear and detailed syllabus…”, which allows the student to know what to expect, as well as what is expected of them. Within this environment students will feel comfortable working collaboratively with their classmates, a skill that is increasingly being looked for by the 21st Century employer. Interaction between students is fostered through asynchronous, instructor-mediated discussions, which give students experience exchanging information and leading or moderating discussions. Problem-based learning (PBL) is also a good online strategy that promotes small group interaction and problem solving (Durrington et al, 2006). With so much focus on collaboration in the online classroom, video chats, Skype, email, and Dropbox are additional tools that can be used to enhance the learning experience. For example, being able to video chat or Skype with a fellow classmate allows the learning experience to be more personal, and for the student to match a name with a face. Email and Dropbox can be used to exchange documents, ask questions, etc., and blogs and wikis can be used for group assignments and project feedback.

No matter what your preferred technological tool might be, the fact that you have tools available to use to facilitate online learning is what is most important. So many tools in fact, that if you don’t like the one you’re using, look around, do some research, and find another one that works best for you.

 References

Durrington, V. A., Berryhill, A., & Swafford, J. (2006). Strategies for enhancing student interactivity in an online environment. College Teaching, 54(1), 190−193.

 Siemens, G. (2008, January). Learning and knowing in networks: Changing roles for educators and designers. ITForum.