- Of all of the synchronous tools available I could use Elluminate to host the learning environment and Skype to host a one-on-one discussion, or a group discussion. Both are very easy to use and easily accessible.
- One asynchronous tool that I could use in online learning is a blog site, such as edublogs, for discussions. I like to use a discussion board in my classroom and a blog can serve as this. Another possible tool to use is My Big Campus. This tool allows me to post assignments, resources, and submit grades. Students can communicate with each other and the teacher via chat or the wall.
List four different types of activities that you might use with your targeted online learners and identify an appropriate online tool to use in implementing that activity.
- In Accounting I like to use spreadsheets for some of the problems. I could post the spreadsheets on MBC as a Google doc file for the students to download it and complete it. When the problem is completed, the students could then submit it on MBC and share it with me.
- In Intro to Business, my students research a green business in Wisconsin and create a presentation about the business. Rather than using PowerPoint, the students could use Prezi and share the presentation with me and others in the class. The presentation could then be viewed during class while the student presents it.
- In Entrepreneurship, student create a new type of cereal. They are expected to design a new box and create different types of advertisements for the cereal, including a tv commercial. The commercial can be created by using goanimate and shared with me.
- In 8th grade business, the students research famous entrepreneurs and present their findings. They could use voicethread to create their presentation and include their own voice if they would like to.
Is my initial contact warm and inviting? Are there things I did particularly well or could do better in the future?
- I think your initial contact was done well. You gave our log in information for the site you use, as well as the things you expected us to do before class started. You also included links to our class and also to tech support for elluminate. In closing, you said you were looking forward to learning with us. You also asked for follow up to make sure that everyone received your email. The only improvement I would suggest is something simple, like "Welcome to OFTWOL!"
Is my initial contact clear and concise and yet user friendly? What are some strategies that help to format your contacts to make them as clear and concise as possible?
- Yes, your contact was very well-written. When considering the second part of this question, I think about when I am writing substitute plans. I usually read through them several times after I have written them. I add things that I have forgotten and delete unnecessary items. I try to think about whether I would understand them or not if I was the substitute. I have problems following some sub plans myself when filling in, so this is very important to me. I also make sure that if directions are given, they are step-by-step and sometimes I will give visuals.
