Group+C+Characteristics

 Alannah Rosenberg  Jody Johnson Cindy Reading Christine Swartz maryam afshari
 * ​ ADD YOUR NAME TO THE TOP HERE so I can quickly see who is working on this page.**

__5 Characteristics of Online Teachers__

1. Organization (entire course prepared in advance of course start date; relationships between assignments and material is obvious; links, etc., accurate and current). (Smith, Chapter 1) 2. Flexibility (able to work with technological difficulties; recognize and work with confused students) 3. Creative assignments (recognize differences in learning styles; vary assignments to meet different learning needs of students and to engage and challenge all students) 4. Prompt feedback (answer questions promptly to allow time for students to complete assignments in timely manner, also provide feedback on completed assignments so students can adjust their approach to work or understanding of material) 5. Clear communication (focus on clear word choice to eliminate ambiguity or confusion)

__5 Chracteristics of Online Students__ 1. Organized and self-directed (prepared to achieve goals; has high expectations of learning experience) 2. Flexibility (able to work with technological difficulties; makes arrangements when things do not go according to plans; family/work commitments make online learning attractive to many students - especially women according to the National Online Learners Priorities Report) 3. Time management skills (logs on in time to complete assignments; plans ahead; allows time for unforeseen variables) 4. Motivation (has long-term goals/plans; self-motivated to complete all assignments; seeks out learning opportunities; participates in all group assignments) 5. Ability to work in virtual environment (basic understanding of technological necessities)

Jody (7pm) - It's getting close to the due date; how's everyone doing? We have a lot of similar ideas and we need to wrap this up tonight. Anyone up for the Editor job? I'm writing my paper and will check in periodically.

Insert group brilliance here:

Hi it's Alannah I was one of the faculty with logon trouble, so my readings have been limited to the web resources (thank heavens one of the books could be sent to a Kindle).

I'm planning on coming back and seeing what others have filled in or filling in below myself what we've all (or almost all) mentioned - right now I have to put the finishing toughes on my own online class together: it starts tomorrow!

Students motivated/independent good time manager

Instructors prompt response relevant/interesting/engaging course content (define? examples?)

_

Alannah Rosenberg Hi everybody I'm late here - I had password trouble and couldn't get to anything, but I guess I make your fifth! I teach microeconomics online at Saddleback College. I use Blackboard also as support to the honors humanities courses I team-teach.

Should we elect an editor? We could have a section for the proposed final product between Maryam's name and mine, while we discuss it down here. ​ I plan to be back Saturday night. What about everybody else? (jody) - I can be here after 6:30 ish until..... (I'm a night owl) (Christine) ~ I'll be back later this evening too.

Key Characteristics of Students: 1) Good time management skills: able to work at what's important before it becomes "urgent" too. 2) Good organization - especially if they're traveling around or have lots of different commitments 3) Reasonable computer literacy 4) Flexibility/willingness to participate in different learning styles/environments 5) Inherent desire to master the material

-- something that matters too, but doesn't apply to everyone, is a supportive home/work environment. I have students who can get to the computer only after the kids are asleep, etc.

Key Characteristics of Instructors: 1) Good organization 2) Frequent interaction with students, including excellent writing skills 3) Ability to imagine (realize?) what the online course structure looks like to students 4) Consistent effort over the course of the term 5) Prompt feedback in terms of grading, discussion post responses when appropriate, etc.

Cindy Reading __Key Characteristics of Students__ 1. External commitments (family, job, homeownership) ​ 2. High expectations (expect to go far in school, expect quality education, expect career benefit from education) 3. Successful online students expect success from themselves; unsuccessful online students expect an easy grade 4. Digitally skilled/connected learners 5. Recognize need to make their "presence" known (to instructor and fellow students - no "corporal" credit

(Jody)
 * 1) 1 - The author (Smith) points out that students taking online classes want flexibility not only in where and when they "attend" class but also in how they assimilate the course content.
 * 2) 2 - The ability to repeatedly visit new information, yet lightly touch on familiar information is also important (Sorry, this is just a comment, not a characteristic)

Jody - The above were my initial ideas, but after doing more reading and researching I have come up with the following:

__Key Characteristics of Learners__:  1. Motivated, independent learners (includes having good reading/comprehension skills; goal oriented)  2. Able to organize environment and material presented (meet deadlines, schedule time for homework)  3. Able to connect prior knowledge and new information, then apply to real-world situations 4.   Resourceful (able to figure out alternative solutions instead of dropping the ball) 5 <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; msobidithemefont: minor-latin; msolist: Ignore;">. <span style="color: #000000; font: 7pt 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; msobidithemefont: minor-latin; msolist: Ignore;"> <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Committed active learner

<span style="color: #800000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 90%;">I'm not sure #3 is necessary for all disciplines - I may not understand you <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"> (Jody) I was thinking about students having the ability to comprehend material that comes from a variety of sources. A couple of the articles I read stressed that successful students need to have well-developed reading/comprehension skills. Does this make more sense?

__Key Characteristics of Instructors__: 1. Prompt communication 2. Organized presentation of material (offer global picture, then unfold over course; scheduled dates for exams, project due dates, etc. 3. Leads by example (guides students into assuming active roles in learning process) 4. Respects diverse talents and learning abilities 5. Offers relevant, interesting, course content <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; msoansilanguage: EN-US; msoasciithemefont: minor-latin; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidilanguage: AR-SA; msobidithemefont: minor-bidi; msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msofareastlanguage: EN-US; msofareastthemefont: minor-latin; msohansithemefont: minor-latin;">I found a follow up article to the “Seven Principles...” article referenced in our text. The article is //Implementing The Seven Principles: Technology as a Lever// (Chickering and Ehrmann, 1996) <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; msoansilanguage: EN-US; msoasciithemefont: minor-latin; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidilanguage: AR-SA; msobidithemefont: minor-bidi; msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msofareastlanguage: EN-US; msofareastthemefont: minor-latin; msohansithemefont: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|www.tltgroup.org/programs/seven.html] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; msoansilanguage: EN-US; msoasciithemefont: minor-latin; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidilanguage: AR-SA; msobidithemefont: minor-bidi; msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msofareastlanguage: EN-US; msofareastthemefont: minor-latin; msohansithemefont: minor-latin;">. We might want to consider this as a reference.

__Key Characteristics of Instructors__ 1. Digitally skilled/connected 2. Organized and prepared (all class materials, etc., prepared in advance of course start date) 3. Assignments engage students with materials and with each other ( Right! students engage when the assign. is creative) 4. Prompt feedback 5. Clearly states objectives, explains assignments, etc.

(Cindy here...) I guess our group is not complete until there are five of us, but I see that so far we all agree that one characteristic of instructors is prompt feedback...can we add that as our first agreed-upon characteristic for instructors? I think engaging students with creative topics is an important point. (Christine) How about consistency as a characteristic of instructors, according to Smith it is good practice to schedule due dates and stick with it, also have due dates the same day each week. Also according to Smith, it is imortant to be consistent with navigation and where to turn in assignments. And how about something about technology/tech skills for students? (Jody) I agree with your suggestion that prompt feedback by instructors is extremely important. (Christine) I second the suggestion for prompt feedback by instructors

Christine Swartz Key Characteristics of Instructors: 1. Organizes and presents course work to promote active learning 2. Creative assignments that keep students engaged ( Christine I like this) <span style="color: #008000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">when assignments are creative and applied so that all learning styles students are usually more positive about their performance.If it is a discussion topic, make it one that students have a reason to get engaged in.

3. Committed to being available for class discussions and reasonably quick responses to students questions 4. Encourage feedback from students 5. Invite colleagues to evaluate course material and encourage suggestions

Key Characteristics of Learners: 1. Have a desire to learn in a new format 2. Self-motivated to devote time for class work 3. Possess time-management skills to actually submit work in a timely manner 4. Be a participator as well as a listener regarding discussion boards 5. Possess technology skills (Jody) - I think learners need to have a decent amount of technical skill but I'm not so certain we can't come up with other characteristics that will push technology out of the top 5. From a student's perspective, I have taken numerous online classes and have managed quite nicely with my limited range of computer knowledge. This class will definitely test me and I expect to learn a good deal more about the applicable technology as I go through the course. (Christine) - Jody you are right, most younger students today are tech savy and have no fear of technology. (jody) - Well said, however, we can't ignore the number of "experienced" learners who are re-entering learning institutions in order to catch up with the young whipper-snappers. The current economy has forced many people to jump into 21st century technology; instructors need to be sensitive to these learners.

Does working in color bother anyone? If so, I'll identify myself at the beginning of my comments...or should we switch our "chatter" to the discussion board and leave this space for the final product? (Christine) Color does not bother me and yes, good suggestion about moving to discussion board. (Jody) Thanks; scrolling through this to figure out our common thoughts was getting to be a project. See you on the DB. =<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**maryam afshari** = **Students:** 1-Ability to writ 2-Self discipline to keep up with the class assignment 3-Be willing to share information as this is a part of learning process. 4-willing to commit 5 hrs per week on line courses is convenient but not easy 5-Have access to computer and internet 1- Encouraging cooperation among students; 2- being available and quick respond to student's question 3-Giving prompt feedback; 4-Emphasizing time on task; 5-Respecting diverse talents and ways of learning The 5 Key Characteristics of Students Who Take and Instructors Who Teach Online Courses
 * Teachers: **

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.**