Synchronous Learning: Occurs in real time with all learners interacting at the same time, but from different locations. (i.e. facilitating a live class meeting with Bongo Virtual Classroom)
Asynchronous Learning: Allows participants to engage in the exchange of ideas or information without being dependent on other participants at the same time (i.e. using email, blogs, discussion boards, audio or lecture capture).
See this video resource for more information.
A combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning is the best way to deliver content in an online course.
As the instructional designer William Horton suggests, “people learn by considering, researching, analyzing, evaluating, organizing, synthesizing, discussing, testing, deciding, and applying ideas” (51). A way to consider designing activities within each weekly module is by incorporating three types of learning tasks he describes as Absorbing (A), Doing (D), and Connecting (C) activities.
In Absorb activities, learners read, listen, or watch. In Do activities, learners apply their knowledge. In Connect activities, learners apply their knowledge to other instances (i.e. the workplace, real life).
Please refer to this Quick Reference Guide for more information
Provide a way for students to share their experiences or concerns. Consider using a FOL survey to collect their feedback and concerns anonymously. Then send a message to the whole class that summarizes key ideas in the responses. Or consider adding a discussion board thread for students.
Inform your students how you are going to communicate with them during this time of transition. Regular communication will mitigate their anxiety about course content, assignments and timelines. Frequent, ongoing communication with students is essential to course continuity. Use announcements in your FOL course, weekly checklists, email, and the calendar function.
Hold your office hours online. You can either use the telephone or hold them online using Bongo Virtual Classroom.
Please see the Fanshawe website for more information on netiquette. This page should be shared with students.
Please see this document for guidance on email communication.
Share guides with students in advance of the session. Consider starting the session early to give students extra time to join and practice using the software. You may even explain it may take some time for the class to become familiar with these tools and it is a learning process for everyone. Students have access to Virtual Classroom documentation in the FOL help.
Avoid live streaming your entire lecture. Video conferencing can be a great tool to use for holding virtual office hours.
It is recommended that participants use Google Chrome Both Mac and PC students can use this browser.
Suggest that students use Google products for collaborative work, such as Google docs, presentations, and sheets. Ask that students share edit access to their group files and folders with you so that you can provide comments when helpful.
Yes, students can call in to virtual meetings. The call-in feature may be handy if students do not have access to a computer or internet connection, or if they are experiencing connectivity issues. The call-in number can be found on the meeting lobby page or in the public chat box.
Please see this Call in to Join a Virtual Classroom resource for more information.
When you create a meeting for the students to join, it will automatically add that link in the FOL Calendar. Keep in mind, that it will not send the students an invitation. You should notify students by posting an announcement as well as sending an FOL Email.
As the college moves course content to an online platform, you may find that your original resources are unsuitable for the new teaching environment. If you require alternative content for your course, your Faculty Librarian can help you select appropriate and accessible resources. To find more information on how the library can help you with this transition, email Librarians@FanshaweC.ca or visit https://www.fanshawelibrary.com/faculty/ to find contact information for your Faculty Librarian.
If you’d like a faculty librarian to create an online instructional resource for your students on how to use library resources remotely, please contact the librarians at librarians@fanshawec.ca or consult the Services for Faculty section of the library website. Students can also receive virtual research assistance by scheduling online appointments with our Outreach Specialists, using our askON services, or emailing library@fanshawec.ca.
The Centre for Academic Excellence (CAE) has developed a few resources to help you with video creation and distribution.
Office 365 Education is free for faculty and students. Please see the I.T. Support page for information on downloading. Please make sure you use you fanshaweonline email address to sign-up.
