Group+B+Characteristics

Joanne DeMarchi Claire Cesareo-Silva Angela Plunkett Maureen Smith Joanne DeMarchi**
 * Marcia Milchiker


 * __5 Characteristics of Online Learners__:**

1. **Self-directed, highly motivated, self-disciplined.** (It is very important that online learners make the online course a priority. Although online learners have more flexibility and freedom, it is up to them to keep pace with the class and complete assignments. Online courses require as much time, if not more time, than traditional courses. It is important that online learners set aside **extra** time to meet the course requirements. [|www.iowacc**online**.org)] 2. ** Want flexibility and convenience** **in scheduling** the time they devote to learning (Smith, p. 13). Novel Levitt points out that online learners sign up because of convenience and flexibility in registering, scheduling, and studying. In one study, online learners ranked convenience number # 1 and work schedule #2 ( www.ion.uillinois.edu/resources/tutorials/.../studentProfile.asp ).** % ** 3. ** Accept responsibility for their learning.** ("Students in a Web-based course are more responsible …..for seeking out knowledge," according to Smith, p. 15.) 4. **Interact and collaborate with peers and are comfortable with technology.** (They display technological skills and can deal with technology and its frustrations. www.uwsa.edu/ttt/kircher.htm ) 5. ** Demand relevance and satisfaction.** (According to Noell Levitt, online learners are interested in issues both inside and outside the classroom.)


 * __5 Characteristics of Online Instructors:__**

1. **Provide a dependable and safe learning environment.** 2. **Ar** **e organized:** They prepare in advance, and as a result they develop well-designed, effective courses. "Faculty are no longer the keepers of the knowledge ... our role now is to make sure that information is presented in a way that is relevant, understandable, memorable, and useful to the students" (Smith p. 15). "We lead students rather than dispense knowledge" (Smith, p. 16). 3. **Provide a framework and structure to assigned activities.** 4. **Moderate interactive and collaborative activitie s, and maintain a constant presence in the course .** The online instructor "... has a philosophy supporting student-centered learning" ([|www.uwsa.edu/ttt/kircher.htm]). 5. **Assess and evaluate learning in a timely fashion. **

Great work everyone. I really like the last list Angela put up. I have added my comments in red. Does someone want to be responsible for making the final decision on what should be included and post the list at the top? Claire

Thanks, Claire. On the basis of your comments and suggestions I've made changes to the above list. All yours! Angela

Looks good to me. Does anyone else want to modify the list above? Claire

1. self-directed 2. highly motivated 3. adopts responsibility for his/her learning 4. interacts and collaborates with peers 5. self-disciplined 6. Willing to learn and adapt to new technologies
 * Characteristics of Online Students:**

I think is is an excellent list of learner characteristics the group has compiled. If I had to choose only 5 characteristics I would drop # 3 To me this is already incorporated into #'s 1 & 2. I've added a few additional references. Motivation, internet self-efficacy, time management skills, study management skills, ability to seek assistance when needed Lynch & Dembo (2004) Ability to connect existing knowledge and experiences (Richardson & Newby 2006) Relevance/self direction Peters (2007)

//Consider this addition/change to instructor's list// Confidence as a facilitation vs teacher Smith p 16

1. Provides a dependable and safe learning environment 2. Course development and Design (faculty are no longer the keepers of the knowledge, our role now is to make sure that information is presented in a way that is relevant, understandable, memorable, and useful to the students, Smith P15) (we lead students rather than dispense knowledge, Smith, P16) 3. Provides a framework and structure to assigned activities 4. Moderates interactive/collaborative activities (Has a philosophy supporting student-centered learning, [|www.uwsa.edu/ttt/kircher.htm] ) 5. Assesses and evaluates learning The 5 Key Characteristics of Students Who Take and Instructors Who Teach Online Courses
 * 5 Characteristics of Online Instructors** Current group list

Step One: Begin by listing those characteristics you each individually find to be key. Step Two: Come to agreement on which 5 you feel as a group are most important to understand as yu consider developing an online curriculum. Step Three: Annotate the list with references, additional informational sites, education statitics, etc.


 * This assignment due by 11:55 on Sunday.

Characteristics of Online Students:** 1. self-directed 2. highly motivated 3. adopts responsibility for his/her learning 4. interacts and collaborates with peers 5. self-disciplined 6. Willing to learn and adapt to new technologies

1. provides a dependable and safe learning environment 2. acts as a facilitator of knowledge acquisition 3. provides structure to assigned activities 4. moderates interactive/collaborative activities 5. assesses and evaluates learning 6. Available to students 7. Communicative 8. Organized 9. Willing to learn and adapt to new technologies
 * Characteristics of Online Instructors:**

__Students Factors & Characteristics:__ 1)Convenience (Reference - Online Learners Report) 2)Work/life schedule (Reference - Online Learners Report) 3)Flexible pace (Reference - me) 4)Self motivated (Reference - me) 5)Organized (Reference - me)
 * Maureen Smith's 2 lists:**

__Instructors Factors & Characteristics:__ 1) Less pressure on my voice from lecturing (Personal) 2) Schedule flexibility (Personal) 3) Learn new technologies 4) Expand knowledge 5) To have full-time instructor teaching on-line in my department (one of our readings mentioned on-line is being taught mostly by part-timers)