ONLINE & TRADITIONAL LEARNING

The Roles and Responsibilities

Cheryl DuarteEDU 600: Instructional Leadership

Ashford UniversityProfessor VoeikelApril 20, 2015

LEARNING ENVIRONMENTSTHE DIFFERENCES

ONLINE ENVIRONMENT

TRADITIONAL ENVIRONMENT

THE DIFFERENCES Traditional Online

(Palloff & Pratt, 2001)

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

“A lamp cannot play the role of the Sun And the Sun cannot play the role of a lamp.”

--- Amit Kalantri

Student Role & Responsibilities

Traditional Learning Online Learning Environment Environment

•Attending class on time•Being respectful to other students and faculty

•Participating in class discussions

•Completing assigned coursework in a timely manner

•Active learner•Contributing to discussions•Providing reflection on classmates posts

•Reading assigned information•Completing assignments

Instructor Role & Responsibilities

Traditional Learning Online Learning Environment Environment

•Provider of information•Role model•Assessor

•Planner

•Developer

•Facilitator

•Pedagogical

•Social

•Managerial

•Technical

Instructors Role & Responsibilities

Roles Task Areas

Content Facilitator Facilitate the learner’s understanding of the content

Technologist Making technology choices to improve online environment

Designer Designing worthwhile learning tasks

Manager/administrator Administration and record keeping

Process/facilitator Welcoming, establish ground rules, creating community, manage communication, modeling social behavior

Advisor/counselor Providing students with advice or counseling on a one to one basis

Assessor Provides grades and feedback

Researcher Creation of new knowledge relevant to content

TRANSITION CHALLENGES

Instructor Challenges

•Instructor and student are in separate locations

•No face-to-face interaction with its visual cues

•New technology to learn, evaluate, and select

•New instructional design and development tools to master

•More demands on time for developing, preparing, and delivering training

Student Challenges

•Student is not well disciplined and can’t manage time

•Comparability of the materials they’ll use, text books, and others, etc.

•Technological capabilities or training might not be enough to do what’s expected

TRANSITION SUGGESTIONS

Student Suggestions

Student Recommendations•Have basic computer skills and access to technology•Keep an open mind and attitude•Do not be hindered by the absence of auditory or visual cues

•Be self-motivated and self-disciplined•Be willing to commit significant time to the studies weekly

Instructor Suggestions Instructor Recommendations

•Have clear objectives•Maintain as much flexibility as you can•Encourage participation•Maintain a non-authoritarian style•Make the material relevant•Provide feedback.

Conclusion

When making the decision of which learning environment

to choose, consider the following tips:

• Balance out the pros and cones

• Consider the roles and responsibilities

Then decide which one meets the needs, expectations and competence, in order to be a successful instructor or learner.

ReferencesCraig, A., Goold, A., Coldwell, J., & Mustard, J. (2008). Perceptions of roles and responsibilities in online learning: a case study. Interdisciplinary Journal of E-Learning and Learning Objects Volume 4, 2008. Retrieved from: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/233725890 Bowman, L. (2001). The role of student and teacher in the online classroom. Teachers. Net. Gazette. May 2001 Vol 2 No. 5. Retrieved from: http://www.teachers.net/gazette/MAY01/bowman.html

Perceptions of Roles and Responsibilities in Online Learning: A Case Study. Interdisciplinary Journal of E-Learning and Learning Objects Volume 4, 2008. Retrieved from: http://ijklo.org/Volume4/IJELLOv4p205-223Craig510.pdf