Reports on Online Learning

Below are interesting reports on online learning:

U.S. Deptartment of Education--Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning, Final Report 2009.

* "The meta-analysis found that, on average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction." (Directly from abstract, pg. ix)

National Survey of Student Engagement--Promoting Engagement for All Students:The Imperative to Look Within, 2008 Results

* "Online courses seem to stimulate more intellectual challenge and educational gains. This suggests that integrating technology-enhanced courses into the curriculum for all students might have some salutary benefits." (page 17)

iTeach

Interested in being trained for online teaching? Consider enrolling in iTeach essentials.

Check out the iTeach description found on this website: www.commnet.edu/academics/blackboard/faculty/iTeach.asp

"The iTeach Essentials course is a new 9-week, fully-online learning opportunity for faculty in the Connecticut Community College system who are interested in teaching fully online courses. Online teaching is not about knowing which buttons to push in Blackboard Vista. Although technical proficiency supports online teaching, the ability to communicate effectively online, facilitate community and interaction, design effective online assignments, learning objectives, and course structure are paramount to the success of online learning. Topics in this course include both pedagogical and technical best practices of online teaching and classroom management."


MCC instructor Heidi Higgins said this about her experience:
“The most significant thing I learned from iTeach is that there is a difference between how a student learns in an online class as compared to a traditional classroom setting. I think being in the role of a student has helped me see how my students would view their course and what tools and information they need to be successful in the course. Now I know why the design and content of the course are so important to how and what the student will learn. It really is important to have that consistency from week to week in the course….

…iTeach has been a great experience. It has been helpful, informative, eye opening, and yes, a lot of work. I enjoyed the course and the company of all the wonderful classmates and instructors who made it a success. Thanks so much!”

To find and register for iTeach courses: Please visit the IITT Course Cart to check the current schedule.

Add RSS Feed into Blackboard Vista

Adding an RSS Feed into your Blackboard Vista section incorporates current events and trends into your course material. Your students will be more engaged if they can relate what's going on in the real world with what is learned in class. It's quite simple--see this brief video tutorial to learn how:



To view a full size video, go to YouTube. Thanks!