Key Concept - Why is Online Teaching Important?

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From the course by UNSW Sydney (The University of New South Wales)

Learning to Teach Online

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UNSW Sydney (The University of New South Wales)

Learning to Teach Online

210 ratings

Are you an educator? Have you ever wanted to understand more about how to design your class to make better use of educational technology – whether fully online or in blended contexts? Would you like to learn from those who have extensive practical experience with online technologies? The Learning to Teach Online (LTTO) MOOC will help you develop a working understanding of successful online teaching strategies that you can apply in your own practice. The course is based upon the multi award winning open educational resource developed by Dr Simon McIntyre and Karin Watson. Integrating online technologies into your teaching can be a challenging prospect, and it can be difficult to know how to approach it effectively for the benefit of both students and yourself. No one knows your own content and teaching strengths better than you, and the “one size fits all” formula doesn’t always suit everyone. No matter what type of technology you are interested in exploring or your level of experience, this course will help you draw on your teaching strengths and find the approach that is right for you, your students and your educational context. This course will guide you through your journey of understanding how online technologies can enhance your course design. You will have the opportunity to develop your understanding of effective online teaching practices and their relationship to the use of different technologies. You will also be encouraged to progressively design and reflect upon your own online learning activity, assessment or resource for use in your own class if you choose to undertake the course assignments.

From the lesson

Why is Online Teaching Important + Open and Institutionally Supported Technologies

'Module 1: Why is Online Teaching Important' is about understanding where you are in the current educational landscape, and determining where you want to be. We will explore why online teaching is relevant to your teaching practice, and you’ll have an opportunity to reflect upon the opportunities and challenges you face in your own context. 'Module 2: Open and Institutionally Supported Technologies' focuses on helping you understand the benefits and restrictions of both broad categories of technologies. We’re all familiar with different social media technologies, and many of us will be aware of larger institutional online learning systems. In this module we will ask you to think about the reasons why you might want to use freely available online tools for your teaching - or your institution's learning management system. Important considerations such as which types of technologies are suitable for a range of different activities will also be explored.

Key Concept - Why is Online Teaching Important?3:42

Case Study - Why is Online Teaching Important? (Optional)6:22

Case Study - Learning Online from a Student Perspective (Optional)8:57

Meet the Instructors

Associate Professor Simon McIntyre
Associate Dean Education
UNSW Sydney | Art & Design
Dr Negin Mirriahi
Academic Developer, Learning and Teaching Unit (formerly)
Adjunct Lecturer, School of Education

[BLANK_AUDIO]

>> Most of use different online technologies, as part

of their everyday lives, without really thinking about it.

>> Whether it's shopping, paying bills, booking a holiday or keeping in touch with

family or friends, the internet has fundamentally

changed, how we communicate, work and share information.

>> Digital technologies are infiltrating society extremely rapidly

compared to other major technological developments in recent history.

>> This change is happening so fast, that many

educational institutions have found it very hard to keep up.

Because of this, the way many of us teach does not

always align with some of the skills students need to learn.

>> So as teachers, we need to ensure that we are

preparing our students to live and work in the real world.

This means that in addition to teaching

them disciplinary knowledge and skills, we also

need to teach them digital literacies they

need to be effective in the future workplace.

>> To do this, we first ned to develop these literacies for ourselves.

It is important for each of us to build our own understanding

of the relevance of online technology, to the way we already teach.

In the context of it's authentic use

in professional industries, and the rest of society.

>> Once we understand this, we can ensure that we teach our

students in a way that will be most beneficial and relevant for them.

>> Technology changes quickly, so we have to focus on understanding

effective pedagogical strategies, rather than

just focusing on the technology itself.

In this way we can continue to adapt

to whatever changes come our way in the future.

>> Integrating technology into our teaching

is an important option to consider.

Our society has fundamentally changed.

And we all need to change with it.

But in a way that works best for our students and for ourselves.

>> This course can you help with this.

>> And for ourselves.

>> Then the bigger picture.

We wanted to outline a few practical reasons why it's worth your

while to learn how to teach either fully online or blended courses.

We'll explore many of these ideas throughout the course.

Teaching online means that learning and teaching

is not limited to a set class time.

It can occur at times that are more convenient

and productive for both students and you as teachers.

Learning can happen anywhere and can include

students and teachers from diverse geographical locations.

Administrative load can be greatly streamlined

through considered use of certain digital technologies.

Online delivery can provide greater opportunities

for students and teachers living with a

disability, or those who may find it difficult to attend face to face classes.

Teachers and students can easily access and share current

information with larger and more diverse groups of people online.

There are many quality online resources that are free to use in

your classes, allowing students to learn from other experts in the field.

And the student learning experience can be enhanced by

providing greater opportunities for

cross-disciplinary or cross cultural collaborations.

We all have our individual motivations for wanting to teach online.

>> Some of us regard it as

our natural progression, in our current teaching practice.

Some of us are reluctant to change,

but feel pressured by what's happening around us.

>> Others of us, are interested in online education.

But, don't know how to get started, or expand upon what we already do.

For each of us to make effective, lasting change in our

practice, we need to first see how online teaching relates to what

we already do, understand how it's being used in the disciplines we

teach, and how it can benefit us, and of course, our students.

>> The first activity in this course, will help

you develop a strategy, to begin thinking about these questions,

in your own unique circumstances, which will provide a

basis, for the rest of your study in this course.

[BLANK_AUDIO]

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