To meet online and socialize

Reflections on Topic 4
Design for online and blended learning.

I can, at this moment, after struggling with how to design for online and blended learning, really appreciate this topic. This is exactly what I have been looking for! Gilly Salmons Five Stage Model (1). There is someone that has presented a way to work that seems to function really well and that also is tested. With the online courses that I have given over time there has been somethings missing. The first step that includes to get to know the platform and how connect to the lectures is the easy part for many of the students, of course not for all of them. But without this kind of literacy they probably not even try to take an on-line course. That is also a thing that we put effort on otherwise nothing works. But in stage two, the socializing part, I think I have missed how important that is. It seems to be a fundamental part for learning to take place both in campus courses as well as in online courses and it is also a very natural part when you study on a campus. I have spent some time thinking on why students in online courses more easily drop out than campus students. One part that I have thought of is the commitment and engagement that follows when you meet with people face to face as when going to campus and meet the other students and study together. I have really thought that it is much harder to achieve this online. And it is more difficult but it can work with the right kind of activities or e-tivities. In the ONL181 I have learned that it is possible to socialize, to feel commitment and to be engaged and that is probably due to several things. First the introducing lecture, or in my case a meeting with one of the course leaders, that presented this course and showed how to navigate, what to expect and how to start a blog. To make me feel comfortable with what to do. After that we had to present us in the PBL-group and really socialize and at the same time trying to use a new tool. The challenge when developing an online course is to give time to the socializing part without feeling that the time was wasted. New tools were one part of this ONL181 course. To find a good subject to socialize around is also something to think carefully about.  

So, the role as an online facilitator is more widespread than just a presenter of different things to learn and in the end to correct examinations. The Social role that includes to foster a friendly and social environment seems very important (2). There is also an excellent checklist for the on-line facilitator that seems very useful when planning and doing a course (2). There are also so many things that I have done but not have had the “words” for. That also feels good! But this can improve! A lot!          

References

1.    Salmon, G (2013) The Five Stage Model. http://www.gillysalmon.com/five-stage-model.html

2.    City University London. (2016). Online Facilitation Techniques. Web resource.