Online Learner Engagement

Mr. Henry Briggs

Walden UniversityPrinciples of Distance EducationEDUC-7102-2/EDUC-8842-2

Dr. Keith Pratt

8/08/09

Online Learner EngagementHenry BriggsWalden UniversityPrinciples of Distance EducationDr. Keith Pratt

Abstract

Learner engagement is essential to the effectiveness of education. Distance education is even more critical and demanding of learner engagement to be effective.

Learner engagement is essential to the effectiveness of education. Distance education is even more critical and demanding of learner engagement to be effective.

Online Learner Engagement

Content in distance education is presented in different media format. For distance education to continue to evolve and be effective the learner must be engaged in the process. Distance education is able to be used by educators and learners of all ages, ethnic background, geographic locations and economic situations.

Online Learner Engagement

Questions To Be Analyzed and Answered

Questions to be analyzed and answered are:

How to engage the learner?

What strategies can be used and why?

Build world wide groups, communities through collaborative work

How?

How?

Build world-wide groups, communities through collaborative work with no constraints on geographical location of the groups and communities. Also, if open source software no cost software can be used by these groups.

With Blueprints BuildingA Community Of Learners

Effective instruction to engage the learner will need a blueprint of a master plans which will map out the way to allow instruction for engagement.

Electronic Tools

Some electronic tools that are or can be used are:

ComputersWeb-camsCell Phones

iPhone 3G (s)Voice controlTwitterblogsPownceGoogleJaikuAnd any data communication or learning device that will lead to knowledge acquisition.

The Human Tool

Of course we talk about the electronic technology and software of online learner engagement butThe Human Tool,The brain, In combination with initiative and self-motivation of the learners will be utilized.

Using the computer is an excellent tool for teaching Blooms six levels of cognitive thinking. Understanding this will enable online instructors to create modules of learning to engage students on each level.

Robert Gagnes Instruction To Engage Learners Online1. Gain attention2. Inform learners of objective3. Stimulate recall of prior Knowledge4. Present the content5. Provide guidance6. Elicit performance7. Provide feedback8. Assess Performance9. Enhance retention and transfer, (Integrating Instructional Design in Distance Education).

According to Robert Gagne the nine principles needed to engage learners online. They are:1. Gain the learner's attention2. Inform learners of objective3. Stimulate recall of prior Knowledge4. Present the content5. Provide guidance6. Elicit performance7. Provide feedback8. Assess Performance9. Enhance retention and transfer, (Integrating Instructional Design in Distance Education).It incorporates and extends Bloom's taxonomy for thinking

Community of InquiryBlue Print for learner engagement

Building a community of inquiry will foster the principles of engagement.

This community needs:Teacher PresenceSocial PresenceCognitive Presence

Community of Inquiry[Discourse, Collaboration,Meetings]Within The Community of Inquiry there is: [Discourse, Collaboration,Meetings, and any connections to assist the engagement process]

Teacher Presence[Feedback,CuesMessage tailoring, setting climate;Selecting content]Teacher Presence includes the teacher providingfeedback,Cues,message tailoring, setting climate;selecting content

Social Presence[Synchronous and asynchronous audio,Text messaging, video conferences, e-mail,Threaded discussion, setting climate]Social Presence is facilitated by: Synchronous and asynchronous audio/video, blogs, wikis,twitter, face book,Text messaging, video conferences, e-mail,Threaded discussion, setting climateMany more tools used for collaboration and contacts.

Cognitive Presence[Critical thinking, problem solving,Research, reflection, selecting content]Cognitive Presence consists of[Critical thinking, problem solving,Research, reflection, selecting content]

Educational Experience&Knowledge ConstructionEducational Experience&Knowledge Construction

will be obtained within the community of inquiry.

Why?

Researched based Constructivist method of

teaching and leaning

suited to online format of Distance Education

Why use certain researched-based method of learning? The Researched- based constructivist method of teaching and learning suited to online format of distance education.

Theoriesof Learning the Constructivist

Constructivist Theory of Learning is researched-based and suitable to the online format.

John Dewey and Jean Piaget are two of the constructivist theorist.

John Dewey stated, "If you have doubts about how learning happens, engage in sustained inquiry: study, ponder, consider alternative possibilities and arrive at your belief grounded in evidence." (www.thirteen.org) Constructivist Learning requires inquiry is a key component of constructivist learning.

John Dewey view of learning states, "If you have doubts about how learning happens, engage in sustained inquiry: study, ponder, consider alternative possibilities and arrive at your belief grounded in evidence." Constructivist Learning requires inquiry as a key component.

Jean Piaget states, To understand is to discover, or reconstruct by rediscovery, and such conditions must be complied with if in the future individuals are to be formed who are capable of production and creativity and not simply repetition (Piaget, 1973).

Jean Piaget view states, To understand is to discover, or reconstruct by rediscovery, and such conditions must be complied with if in the future individuals are to be formed who are capable of production and creativity and not simply repetition.The construction and creation of knowledge will take place in a community of inquiry. We teach for creation not replication in the community of inquiry.

TheoriesOfLearningConnectivist

The connectivist theory of learning as defined byGeorge Siemens and Stephen Downes. They believe the digital age of knowledge acquisition occurs via networking.

George Siemens: The network is the central metaphor for learning in the digital age.

George Siemens states:The Global Web is central for learning in the digital Age. We are in the age of communication and collaboration with the web at its center.

Stephen Downes: Knowledge is constructed by making connections in the digital age.

Stephen Downes: Knowledge is constructed by making connections in the digital age.The connections by the web will help individuals construct knowledge. Web inquiries, research and collaboration is how we learn and teach in distance education.

Researched based learning theories will give credibility to the online format.

The instructional strategies of the constructivist and connectivist, will give credibility to the online format. Many traditionalist in the educational community do not view online teaching as credible, however with the use of researched-based theories of learner that is suitable to the online format some of the negative views will change.

Huli Wigmen of Papua, New Guinea using laptop computers.

Learner Engagement via Online Education is available to individuals all over the world

Learner engagement via online education is available to individuals all over the world. Here we have a picture of Huli Wigmen of Papua, New Guinea using laptop computers. One of you in the audience could communicate and collaborate with the Huli Wigmen.

Working Together To LiftThe World To New Heights

Working together we can lift the world to new heights of knowledge acquisition by learner engagement.

Conclusion

As technology evolve there will be more avenues to engage learners. New strategies will be developed, and there will be more opportunities for online education to continue to be adopted into society. In this presentation, I used a computer, LCD player, electronic screen, web-cam, clip-art, sound, pictures, PowerPoint and other software and hardware. Being enabled to present the content in various formats will also enable the learner to engage in the lesson. The next presenter will give additional thoughts to ponder for us to learn additional ways to engage online learners.

As technology evolve there will be more avenues to engage learners. New strategies will be developed, and there will be more opportunities for online education to continue to be adopted into society. In this presentation, I used a computer, LCD player, electronic screen, web-cam, clip-art, sound, pictures, PowerPoint and other software and hardware. Being enabled to present the content in various formats will also enable the learner to engage in the lesson. The next presenter will give additional thoughtsto ponder for us to learn additional waysto engage online learners.

ReferencesAnderson, T. (2008). The Theory and Practice of Online Learning; Published by AU Press, Athabasca University, Edmonton, AB.Bloom's Taxonomy; The Learning Framework; retrieved from: http://faculty.citadel.edu/carnegie/general%20info/bloomstaxonomy.htm Integrating Instructional Design in Distance Education; retrieved from: http://ide.ed.psu.edu/idde/9events.htm on 7/29/09. Clipart downloaded 6/27/09 www.bing.com Clipart downloaded 6/23/09 www.fotosearch.com Clipart downloaded 7/1/09 www.iphone.comLippincott, J. K. (2006). Learning, Engagement, and Technology http://www.cni.org/staff/joanpubs/acrl_Lippincott.docOblinger, D. G., Barone, C. A., Hawkins B. L., (2001). Distributed Education and Its Challenges: An OverviewPalloff, R. M., Pratt, K. (2005). Collaborating Online; Learning Together in Community, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., A Wiley Imprint; publisher Jossey-Bass San Francisco, CA.Piaget, Jean. (1973). To Understand is to Invent. New York: Grossman. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0000/000061/006133eo.pdf What is the history of constructivism, and how has it changed over time? (downloaded 7/29/09).http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/constructivism/index_sub4.htmlWikipedia, Connectivism (Learning Theory). Retrieved from; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connectivism_(learning_theory) on 7/19/09.

I thank each and everyone of my classmates, instructor and references for my journey to this presentation. I want to thank each one of you for attending this lecture today and thanks to all in the online community that viewed this presentation.