Wednesday, June 27
1:30 PM-5:00 PM
MDT
Mount Oxford

How To Engage the Distance Learner

Workshop ID: 35893
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    Robin Tizzard
    Portage College

Abstract: Have you struggled with engagement in your distance classes? Are you interested in learning about new tools and techniques that you can use in your class to engage those students who you never meet face-to-face? If so this workshop is for you. I have been a distance instructor for 10 years and have strived to use new techniques to engage my learners. Techniques that I will talk about in this workshop, are not limited, but will include: group projects using wiki tools, avatar video creations using Xtranormal software, office hour Jeopardy time using chat rooms, and the art of using traditional teaching strategies in the new virtual classroom. The workshop will include times for general discussion where teaching achievements and stories can be shared. Bring your laptop and you can design an avatar movie and we can create a group wiki. In this workshop you will be actively involved with thinking about what is working and not working in your distance classroom.

Objectives

Key Objectives are as follows: 1. Describe the use of a wiki in an educational setting. In my courses I use the wiki tool three times. First, the wiki is used just as a reporting tool. The second wiki is one where students comment on other students' work. The last wiki students need to build on previous student submissions. This last wiki has maximum engagement where students are responsible for group work and final product results. 2. Describe the use of avatar creating software programs such as Xtranormal. I use Xtranormal software in my classrooms as a tool that students can use to create educational videos. I also use this software to provide my students updates for the course. This software is extremely easy to use and virtually free. I have found great student satisfaction with this project work. 3. Describe how I use the chat room as a synchronous learning environment. I meet with students during an office hour for a chat. During this chat I complete some housekeeping items and answer student questions. I also use the chat for an active Jeopardy type Q&A session. During the Q&A I ask students about the content of the course and they actively engage in a quick find, type, and reflect process when they are answering these questions. 4. Describe how I have incorporated “traditional teaching techniques” into my virtual classroom. One technique that I have reincorporated into my distance class is having students create “models” of mitosis and meiosis. In my virtual class students have used clay, balloons, pipe cleaners, and have even written a song for a You Tube video. 5. Provide time for participants to share success stories. I believe that we learn great things from our peers and I will provide time for this sharing of experiences in this workshop.

Topical Outline

I have found that students in distance courses can feel isolated and not engaged in the learning process. When you never have a chance to meet these students in a face-to-face situation how do you build the all important instructor-student relationship? I have, throughout my ten years of distance education, honed my teaching skills and have found my students more engaged and accountable for their learning. Engaging the learner starts on day one of the course. I know that it is critical for students to feel success early in the course. Project work needs to be interesting and achievable for the students within the first couple of days. Feedback needs to be quick and students require very clear instructions regarding course expectations. During the course I provide students with many inspirational quotes, and personalized motivational emails. Weekly updates which again have a personalized flavour help students stay on track. I believe that the instructor needs to be visual in all parts of the distance course. Students engage when they believe they have power over their learning journey. I provide opportunities in my class for students to pick interesting research topics, use their creativity, and network with their fellow students. I provide students with fun “bonus” situations where students can earn extra marks with extra effort. I also have found that “creative” projects increase engagement. Students have loved creating avatar movies and clay models. They have enjoyed working on a group project wiki. They have embraced the opportunity to compete against one another in the chat room Q&A session. Distance education can be so text-filled. With some out-of-the-box thinking during course design, there are great opportunities to break out of this one-dimensional learning. When students are creating they are engaged.

Prerequisites

The intended audience includes instructors and course designers. Participants can be beginners or advanced in their fields. This workshop will have opportunity for group work and exploration. Learning from others experiences will be a great part of this workshop and as such having seasoned instructors/designers will enhance these small group discussions. During the workshop I will present examples of my course designs and student project work. If internet is available I will demonstrate how to create avatar videos and a group wiki. Beginners in the field will leave this session with new tools and be inspired to try new techniques in their distance courses. Advanced participants will leave this session with the renewed knowledge that we all struggle with increasing student engagement and appreciation of their work and efforts. The only prerequisites are that participants come to this workshop with an open, collaborative attitude.

Experience Level

Beginner

Qualifications

Education Alberta Teaching Certificate – University of Alberta – 2006 M.Sc. in Zoology – University of Alberta – 1996 B.Sc. in Ecology – University of Calgary – 1993 Presentation History CNIE International Conference 2011 and 2009; SITE International Conference 2010; Mootlemoot 2009; Career Management Association of BC 2006 and 2007; ACIFA 2002, 2004, and 2005; Portage College PD Days 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2009 Awards Portage College Peer Support Award 2009,Extra Mile Award 2008, President’s Award of Excellence 2005, Award of Merit 2005; Challenge Grand in Biodiversity 1994; Natural Science and Engineering Research Council Undergraduate Student Research Award 1992; Wilfred Archibald Walter Bursary 1993; University of Calgary Undergraduate Merit Award 1992 & 1989; Dean’s List 1991 & 1992; Canada Scholar 1989; Governor General Bronze Medal 1989; B.C. Provincial Scholarship 1989; Current Work: Portage College – Instructor and Course/Curriculum Developer – 1998 to Current. I have designed distance delivery courses using Moodle/Blackboard/WebCT. As a distance education instructor and developer, I am on the leading edge of Moodle development and implementation. I have taught using Elluminate, Web4M and Video Conference. I am proficient with the following software programs: Camtasia, Xtranormal, Powerpoint, and Frontpage.
No presider for this session.
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