June, 2007

Online Classroom - June, 2007 - Full Issue PDF
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Strategies for Online Concept Mapping, Part 1
By Kevin Oliver and C. Dianne Raubenheimer
We are experimenting with alternative teaching strategies for online concept maps in our graduate online courses in the College of Education at North Carolina State University. This article describes our application of different concept-mapping strategies, student reactions to them, and lessons learned.

Using Webcams to Keep the ‘Performance’ in Performance-Based Online Courses
By Anthony Ongyod
“Do I have to give speeches if I take oral communication online?” This is the first question students ask when inquiring about how an oral communication course can be taught online. Webcam technology has enabled the answer to be, “Actually, online students complete the same assignments as face-to-face students, including several oral presentations.”

Tips from the Pros: Synchronous Instruction—More Than Text Chat
Increasingly sophisticated e-conferencing tools and the growing availability of high-speed Internet access are making synchronous online learning an attractive option for many instructors. But as with any new technology, it’s important to consider how synchronous instruction might best be used to enhance learning

Online Teaching Fundamentals: (Not) Making it Hard(er) to Learn, Part 4
By Patti Shank, PhD, CPT
The first time I taught online, many moons ago, I ran into some snags. One learner emailed me three weeks into the semester, asking where the course discussion forum was. A week later, another learner asked where to find the syllabus. Weird? No—unfortunate, but not uncommon.

Teaching Online With Errol: Overcoming the #1 Complaint of Online Students: Poor Instructor Feedback!
By Errol Craig Sull
I recently conducted a survey of more than 300 online students to learn of their most vexing problems, difficulties, and issues with taking courses online. One item—of the 40+ mentioned—was cited by 68 percent of the students: poor feedback from their instructors.