lesson-5-SP-2017OLD

Lesson 5 Online Collaboration & Moderation

Goals

• Discuss and describe how online collaboration enhances online learning.

• Discuss and describe how online student moderation enhances online learning.

• See the Online Discussion for the question(s) posted by the weekly moderator(s).

• Emerging Topics: Game-based learning; Gamification; InfoViz/InfroGraphs

Instructor's Notes

Online Collaboration

Online collaboration is one of the most important instructional designs for online learning. In an online learning environment, online learners are separated from other online learners and instructors by different time zones and distant locations. Frequently, we see online learners learn alone, like traditional correspondence courses, read course materials, do exercises, complete assignments, take examinations, and receive a grade. This type of learning environment does not enhance online learning by promoting learner-learner interaction. Collaborative learning has been perceived as an effective instructional strategy to improve and enhance learner-learner interaction. Collaborative learning engages learners in knowledge sharing, inspiring each other, depending upon each other, and applying active social interaction in a small group. It is important for us to understand that collaborative learning is more than simple student group activities. People frequently misunderstand what is meant by collaborative learning and refer to it as asking students to conduct a team project. As an instructional designer, we need to go beyond that to explore the authentic deigns of online collaborative learning. Simply asking students to process group activities does not result in effective learning outcome. Tu's chapter, Chapter 2 Concepts of Online Collaborative Learning, is an important reading in this lesson. While reading this chapter, keep these questions in your mind:

• • Why do we need online collaborative learning?

  • What are the purposes of online collaborative learning?

  • Is collaborative leaning different or the same as cooperative learning?

  • What effective online collaborative learning designs can be integrated into online learning?

  • Can an online database improve the design of online collaborative learning? How?

You may find that this course is based on the concept of an online collaborative learning community. If you think this is so you are absolutely right. Many course activities are designed based on this concept, such as collaborative evaluation, online debate, team moderation, etc. Therefore, in this course, you can see one goal clearly: Students' learning experience/process is part of learning outcome.

Online Moderation

Online moderation for online discussions is receiving attention by online instruction designers and online instructors. When learners perform in a purely student role they are unlike to consider the contents of a discussion in an expansive manner. Students become absorbed in the content and are unable to think critically. Online moderation engages students in a more critical learning process and permits them to think critically from multiple aspects. You have experienced online moderation in this course or in other courses. I am sure you have many experiences and ideas to share with us.

Game-Based Learning & Gamification

Game-based learning and gamification become important to ONLE and PLE. Most people think game-based learning is referred to computer or video gaming. This is not necessary true. In this lesson, we need to learn the key concepts of game-based learning. Be sure to watch the TED videos on game-based learning and focus on the key concepts that the speakers discussed. Priebatsch's different dynamics are critical, Appointment dynamics, Influence & Status, Progression Dynamics etc. Or Chatfield's seven key elements of gaming to increase individual and collective engagements.

I encourage you to search and watch more TED.com videos on game-based learning so you have different insights on this new emerging open network learning instructional strategies.

Readings (Powered by Del.icio.us. Consider to subscribe RSS to keep updated on reading resources.)

• • Required Readings (Finish the required readings before the lesson starts)

  • Optional Readings (More readings for you to enrich your learning, to prepare for discussions, assignments, projects etc.)

  • Resources (Resources from our classmates, ETC students, and ETC faculty.)

Activities

Lesson Discussions (4 points) Lesson Discussion Guidelines

• • TECH: How InfoViz (Information Visualization or InfroGraphs) may support ONLE? If you have any examples, designs, and development, please share them with us.

• See the discussion questions posted by the moderators.

ETC777 Discussion Statistical Analysis

Assignment

No assignment for this lesson.

For Due Dates: See Assignment Page

Prepare upcoming assignments

• • Assignment 3: Web 2.0 Learning Environments (Due Lesson 7)

  • Assignment 4: Final Paper Proposal

  • Assignment 5: Final Paper (See Lesson 7 for the instructions)