One of the challenges of designing online course material is the visualidsation of the student cohort that the course is aimimng to support. Previous research (Carr-Chellman and Duchasel ,2000; Mitchell, Dipetta and Kerr, 2001) suggests that transferring traditional course material onto the web does not fully utilise the benefits of the online learning environment. Also that much course material is based on past experiences with older technologies. However there is evidence that students also learn from past experiences presumably using older technologies. The question is how do we ensure the alignment of new technology, new learning design paradigms and flexible student learning environments.
For this course the first student exercise is to introduce yourself to the other students and teaching staff . This is one simple means of engagement in which an understandsing of the student cohort can be visualised from the course designer.
While static measures of student behaviour (weblogs etc) give some indication of student behavior dynamic interaction (navigational paths, blog interactions) can improve the visualisation of the student cohort by course designers.
Social networks are an area that could be of great benefit in personalising the online student environment.
I am interested in your thoughts on this.......
References:
Carr-Chellman, A. and P. Duchasel (2000). "The ideal online course." British Journal of Educational Technology v.31 n.3 p.229-241.
Mitchell, C., T. Dipetta, et al. (2001). "The frontier of Web-based instruction" Education and Information Technologies v.6 n.2 p.105-121.
This blog is to assist students in the Community Engagement and Conflict Resolution for Water Planners course. The course is part of the Masters for Water Resources Management program currently run through the ICEWaRM consortium.
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