This weeks Skype session was an eye-opening and exciting experience. The goal is to create a successfully simulated online course that fits instructor needs, student preference, and uses effective content. This week we constructed numerous questions that we will ask the instructor next week to get an idea of what the course will be based on, what the instructor wants the course to represent, the underlying goals of the course, and what efficient e-Learning resources will be used, etc. Essentially, these questions will help us formulate the instructor’s needs to help us develop an outline. This will help test objectives, create thoughtful discussion posts, and enhance communication strategies, etc.
The part I play in this simulation is that of the Instructional Design Manager, where I oversee most of the work, give feedback and constructive criticism, and ensure the instructor needs are met. This means the whole team needs to be knowledgeable of past and present e-Learning tools and resources. I am confident that my team and I will exhibit great teamwork, reliance on one another’s strengths, and learn the art of creating an online learning environment.
After reading the Instructional Design process, I realized its approach to creating an online course was straightforward. This makes sense because you need to take baby steps when creating a virtual learning environment. Later, when the designer knows they have worked with the instructor to complete the basic steps (objectives, rubrics, syllabus, etc.), then the miscellaneous components can be added to add more aesthetic interest to the course.
Below are the questions we plan to ask our instructor this week. These questions will help us gauge what the instructor is comfortable with using, what we could teach him/her, and what direction he/she wants to take the course. We will collaborate with the instructor to ensure the class is run smoothly, efficiently, and takes into account the many modes of learning a student is used to.
Basic Questions to the Online Instructor
Why have you decided to offer this course online?
Who are the end-users and why have they decided to take an online course?
What are some common misconceptions about your online courses (if it has ever been offered)?
What are the underlying goals of this online course?
Do you think the class should take a multiple intelligence exam to check their learning style?
What are the objectives of this course and how can we get them to efficiently reflect an online setting?
What overall learning style would work best for the class?
As an instructor, what learning methodologies are you the most comfortable and educated in?
How can we incorporate your teaching methodology to stretch the classroom limits?
How can we get the students to appreciate an online course and take it as seriously as a face-to-face course (considering they are serious about face-to-face courses)?
What types of content are we looking at? Do you want your course to portray convergent/factual content or divergent/abstract content?
What activity structures are you the most familiar with? Do you want your class to focus on absorb, do, or connect activities? Or all three, perhaps?
What technology, software, and tools are you investigating?
Are your students familiar with navigating an online course?
Do your students understand the importance of thoughtful discussions/posts?
Are your students equipped to handle constant assignments? Are they motivated to give their insight and ask questions?
Will your students feel comfortable with your teaching preference/style?
Can you email your ask your students and ask what social networking sites they use to communicate( i.e. Facebook, Skype, Chat, bogs, wiki)?
When asking the students to introduce themselves as the first post, will you get an idea of commitment levels?
What forms of discussion will you accept?
What is your teaching criteria? Have you developed an evaluation criteria rubric for the students?
How will the students communicate with you?
What levels of feedback are you going to give?
Will you lecture? Podcast? Partake in Synchronous sessions?
Technology/Tools and Interactions
What is the technology /skill level of the students within the course?
Have the students participated in an online or hybrid course before?
What is the age/grade level of the students?
Is this a hybrid or distance learning course?
What technologies do the students have access to?
Do any of the students have disabilities or need additional help/attention?
Are there any prerequisites for this course?
How long is the course? (Semester, Quarter)
Will this course be taught by multiple instructors?
Has the instructor(s) taught an online class before? A hybrid?
What are the instructor’s needs and preferences?
What are the instructor’s abilities with technology?
Does the instructor(s) have a website or use CMS?
What technologies is the instructor(s) comfortable with?
How many students will be enrolled in this course?
What is the instructor(s) availability and primary form of contact (office hours or email)?
How will students be graded (Credit/No Credit or Letter Grades)?
Do students need a tutorial on using Skype, wiki pages, or other communication resources?
Will students be able to set up, manage, and comment on blogs?
What are the preferred methods students would want to contact each other, instructor?
Will students be motivated enough to conduct a completely asynchronous class?
What is the instructor’s preferred method of contacting students?
Are all the students in the same major/content? (For learner-learner purposes)
Do students have access to video and audio recording devices?
Are students capable of making podcasts for this course?
Will students be able to access video presentations and podcasts in order to interact with the content?
11 Instructional Design Questions
Identify your underlying goal
· What are you trying to take away from this online course?
· What is the main idea of this online course?
Analyze learners' needs and abilities
· What kind of knowledge can I learn from the instructor? From my classmates?
Identify what to teach
· Will there be workshops to help us better understand the content?
Set learning objectives
· What online resource will you use to inspire your students to research this field more?
Identify prerequisites
· Will you admit any student?
· What do you expect the students to learn from one another?
Pick the approach to meet each objective
· What kinds of activities, such as games or multimedia tools, can you use to enhance student motivation?
Decide the teaching sequence of your objectives
· What objectives do you want to start with? What objectives do you feel should be saved for last?
· How flexible are you willing to be with your sequence?
Create objects to accomplish objectives
· What kind of knowledge or abilities do you feel the student should possess before entering the course?
· After the course, what knowledge, strengths, or abilities do you feel the students should possess?
Create tests
· Do you like the idea of an early evaluation survey to see what your students know and what they could improve on?
· Will you administer exams or do you want to stick to discussions, projects, and papers?
· If you decide to go the exam route, what will be the format that enables student success?
Select learning activities
· What e-Learning resources do you want to take advantage of?
· Do you believe in visuals and hands-on projects?
· Do you like the idea of students finding learning activities that they are most comfortable with?
Choose media
· Will media use be a priority to you?
· Do you have the course on Facebook?
· Will you take into consideration new media students are using in face-to-face courses?
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