creating an inviting learning space

Creating an Inviting Learning SpaceConnie Weber, Senior ManagerBlackboard Consultingcweber@blackboard.com

Connie Weber • Senior Manager, Blackboard Training (7 years)

Education:

• Florida State University, B.A. English, Psychology• University of Kentucky, M.A. English

Blackboard Experience:

• Distance Learning Coordinator – Guilford Technical Community College (Greensboro, NC) – 5 years

• Associate Professor of English – Introduction to Literature, Professional Writing, Expository Writing, Argument-based Research• Online Course Developer – North Carolina Community College System

Great Online Course= Great Dinner Party

1. Create a Pleasant Atmosphere

2. Create Your Guests Warmly

3. Connect Your Guest to Each Other

4. Prepare a Variety of Food

5. Present the Food in Creative Ways

1. How do you Create a Pleasant Atmosphere Online?

http://Cooltext.com

•Creative Text Only•Very Quick and low tech•Upload as Banner

Course Banner

Course Menu• Use Dividers to Arrange

Menu• Group Menu Items by

Type• Put Most Frequently

Accessed on Top

Consistent Navigation

2. Make Your Learners Feel Welcome

“In the host role, online instructors draw students into the experience of online learning and respond to student needs and concerns with a patient, welcoming, attentive attitude.”

Reference: “Five Roles I Play in Online Courses,” Scot Headley

2. Make Your Learners Feel Welcome

What are some ways to make students feel welcome to a course?

1.2.3.

Welcome Letter

Getting Started Information

• Orientation Activity (Lesson Zero)

• Course Communication Strategy (or How This Course Works)

• Help and Instructor Information

3. Help the Learners Connect

Photo Rosters

19

Welcome Discussion

Using your name as an acronym, describe yourself as a learner. For example: CONNIE

C - creativeO - openN – not likely to give upN – nearly always on timeI - independentE - engaged

Student Blog

4. Provide a Variety of Learning Activities

Wikis

Active Learning

5. Present the Content in Creative Ways

Web 2.0 Tools

Prezi

Atmosphere

Welcome

ConnectionVariety

Presentation

Resources

How Many Discussion Posts Each Week, A Simply Delicious Answer

• http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/how-many-faculty-discussion-posts-each-week-a-simply-delicious-answer/

Cheryl Hayek, Grantham University, Online Education, January 18, 2012

Five Roles I play in Online Classeshttp://www.sevenstaracademy.org/downloads/Resources/Five%20roles.pdfScot Headley, Innovate: Journal of Online Education, v2 n1 Oct-

Nov 2005

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