Assessment #9

This student didn't elaborate on the idea of the learning community or learning process, however, the student did bring up a interesting idea about the diversity of learners.

When learning leaves the classroom, students are able to contribute life, cultural and educational backgrounds to learning.  The student base or the educator is no longer individuals from the same locality.  Therefore, the perspectives and contributions are diverse and broaden.  Diversity is beneficial to all the stakeholders in the community of learners. 

The instructor builds the community by leading conversations with thought provoking questions, encourage the students to communicate, and develop interactive assignments that keep the students engaged throughout the course.  Through the process, students will become self-disciplined and take ownership of their learning.  The “teacher will move from the expert to impart knowledge to students” (Palloff and Pratt, 2007) to the role of facilitator. 

Palloff, Rena M. and Pratt Keith, Building Online Learning Communities: Effective Strategies for the Virtual Classroom. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2007.

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Score
Discussion Topics	The student did not complete the discussion questions.	The student answered each question, but there were not many details and grammatical errors.	The student answered each question and brought good ideas with each discussion post.	3
Responding to Students Discussion	The student did not respond to any other discussion posts.	The student responded to some discussion posts.	The student responded to all required discussion topics.	3
Assessment Information	The assessment did not cite the book or the presentation.	The assessment cited either the book or the presentation, but not both.	The assessment brought ideas from both the presentation and the book.	3
Assessment Structure	The assessment was not clear and hard to understand.	The assessment was unclear in some parts.	The assessment was easy to follow and understand.	3
Learning Community	The student does not acknowledge the learning community.	The student mentions the learning community, however does do not develop the concept.	The student describes and understands the importance of building a learning community in an online classroom.	2
Learning Process	The student does not acknowledge the learning process.	The student mentions the learning process, however does not develop the concept.	The student describes and understands the learning process in an online classroom.	2
Total Score				16/18 = 88%
Comments Very insightful.  How are the learning community and learning process related?  The diversity of learners is a topic that only you’ve brought up in your assessment.  Please see other student’s ideas on my blog.

Assessment #8

This student clearly met the learning objectives.  The student had very indepth ideas about the learning process and the learning community.

The learning process in an online classroom is unlimited!  From the video, Traveling Techies: Online vs. Traditional Classroom , there are differences in an online classroom and a traditional classroom.   Here are the major differences:

In an online classroom, learning is convenient.  Traditional learning offers rigid schedules that learners have to work around.  Digital learning offers flexibility so learners can work on their own time and at their own pace. Traditional classrooms limit discussion to the time allotted for one particular class period.  The online environment gives participants the opportunity to engage in ongoing discussions and extend the conversation.    Traditional classrooms resort to textbooks and paper when completing projects.  The online environment provides opportunities to incorporate new technologies and promote creativity. Traditional classrooms only allow for teachers to talk to their students face to face.  Online teaching opens the doors to communicate by text, audio and/or video formats.  Traditional classes have a set time and schedule meaning communication is limited to that set time frame.  Communicating with online learners can take place at anytime because there is not a set class time frame.  Traditional classroom teachers often find themselves calling on the same students during class discussions.  In an online class all students have a voice and the ability to share their thoughts, opinions and ideas with everyone in the class.  Traditional classrooms allow students to access technology when it is convenient for the teacher.  Online classrooms immerse students in technology.  Traditional classrooms tend to use technology to drive home a teacher directed point.  Online classrooms use technology in ways that allow students to take control of their own learning.  Traditional classrooms restrict students use of technology by only allowing them to use teacher selected programs and sites.  Online classrooms offer students the freedom to gain and display newfound knowledge in new ways.

Building a community of learners is key in creating an effective online class.  Social presence is a must!  Social presence is the ability to portray oneself as a “real” person in the online environment.  Learning is an active process in which both the instructor and the learners participate in order to be successful.  In order for an online class to be successful, the instructor must facilitate the learning process, the learning process must be student-centered, and the instructor-student power shift must be balanced.   The students must feel comfortable in the online class and the teacher must maintain a student-friendly atmosphere, for the online class to be a success.

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Score
Discussion Topics	The student did not complete the discussion questions.	The student answered each question, but there were not many details and grammatical errors.	The student answered each question and brought good ideas with each discussion post.	3
Responding to Students Discussion	The student did not respond to any other discussion posts.	The student responded to some discussion posts.	The student responded to all required discussion topics.	3
Assessment Information	The assessment did not cite the book or the presentation.	The assessment cited either the book or the presentation, but not both.	The assessment brought ideas from both the presentation and the book.	3
Assessment Structure	The assessment was not clear and hard to understand.	The assessment was unclear in some parts.	The assessment was easy to follow and understand.	3
Learning Community	The student does not acknowledge the learning community.	The student mentions the learning community, however does do not develop the concept.	The student describes and understands the importance of building a learning community in an online classroom.	3
Learning Process	The student does not acknowledge the learning process.	The student mentions the learning process, however does not develop the concept.	The student describes and understands the learning process in an online classroom.	3
Total Score				18/18 = 100%
Comments Very in depth ideas about the learning process in an online classroom.  Please see other student’s responses on my blog.

Assessment #7

This student had a great understanding of the learning process and the learning community, which are both an essential key to an online class.

 “Key to the learning process are the interactions among students themselves, the interactions between faculty and students, and the collaboration in learning that results from these interactions.”

An online classroom can be a very different experience for those who are used to the strict methods exhibited in a regular classroom.  Today’s youth, however, are using technology more and more in their home life.  Experiencing an online class would be a natural step for many.  One of the most important steps in creating an effective online class is building community. The teacher would need to represent herself as a “real” person.  Getting all members of the class to participate would be necessary.  Having each student introduce and tell a little bit about themselves is one way for the students to get to know each other.  The teacher could ask gentle probing questions to get the students to open up more.  From there, the teacher becomes a facilitator and guides the students through the learning process.

 A successful student would need to be open-minded and have the ability to share experiences with the group, able to communicate through writing, be self-motivated and self-disciplined, willing to speak if problems arise, and commit the necessary time and requirements for the program.  But, many students are not motivated and are not able to commit the time.  Many students have a difficult time setting boundaries and limits.  Any excuse to “work” on the computer/internet could lead to play time on the computer.   If a student drifts away, becomes lackadaisical, fails to participate or doesn’t participate as they should, the absence is evident and has a huge impact on the group. Only in the course of relationships and interactions among students through chats, threaded discussions, etc. can knowledge be gained.

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Score
Discussion Topics	The student did not complete the discussion questions.	The student answered each question, but there were not many details and grammatical errors.	The student answered each question and brought good ideas with each discussion post.	3
Responding to Students Discussion	The student did not respond to any other discussion posts.	The student responded to some discussion posts.	The student responded to all required discussion topics.	3
Assessment Information	The assessment did not cite the book or the presentation.	The assessment cited either the book or the presentation, but not both.	The assessment brought ideas from both the presentation and the book.	3
Assessment Structure	The assessment was not clear and hard to understand.	The assessment was unclear in some parts.	The assessment was easy to follow and understand.	3
Learning Community	The student does not acknowledge the learning community.	The student mentions the learning community, however does do not develop the concept.	The student describes and understands the importance of building a learning community in an online classroom.	3
Learning Process	The student does not acknowledge the learning process.	The student mentions the learning process, however does not develop the concept.	The student describes and understands the learning process in an online classroom.	3
Total Score				18/18 = 100%
Comments: Insightful Response.  It is clear that you understand the importance of the learning community and learning process that take place in an online classroom.

Assessment #6

This student did not develop the idea of the learning community.  The student has the opportuinty to see other students ideas and maybe develop a more concrete understanding.

When teaching and learning leave the classroom

                With the growing interest in online classes, education in some forms is leave the classroom and going to the virtual classroom. There are many different advantages to online classes, but at the same time there are the disadvantages that are a part of online learning. Some of the major disadvantages is the issues of it being online. There are many issues with the online world that can be a concern for students getting their work done and not wondering and getting distracted (Palloff pg. 6-7). There are also many advantages to this new form of education with the biggest one being the flexibility. There is also the chance to be exposed to this new technology and having different forms of communication. This is an issue that is going to be an individual opinion for everyone, and it is going to take some getting used to. It is also going to take the learning of some new skills (Palloff pg.19-20).

One of the biggest topics that come up when discussing online classroom is the topic of interaction. Interactive in online learning is not face-to-face, but it does exist. Each and every student and teacher play a big part in that. The teacher creates the opportunity for everyone to have interaction and discussion. With the advances of technology the teacher can use a variety of different types of communication such as chats, discussion threads, and even video chats. So through these interactions everyone has the opportunity to benefit from online learning because they can engage in these conversations, they have more freedom in when and where they discussions take place, and they have the opportunity to really think about response so they are deeper and more reflective (YouTube - Traveling Techies: Online vs. Traditional Classrooms). 

                When moving learning from a traditional classroom to an online classroom, one of the main factors is the creation classroom. That is the responsibility of the instructor. “When teaching and learning leave the classroom, it is up to the instructor to create an effective container within which the course proceeds by posting goals, objectives, thoughts, and questions to kick off discussion, and assignments to be completed collaboratively.” (Palloff pg. 19) It is also important to use the different forms of communication so that the class is united as one through discussions and getting to know each other. It is also important that the students have the chance to not only interactive with the teacher, but with their fellow students. There needs to be a place where discussion, not necessarily associated with the class, can take place.

                This whole transition is something that will take some time and it will continue to grow.  It is just going to take the effort and desire of people who want to learn the new technology, and who want to try something new with the online learning.

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Score
Discussion Topics	The student did not complete the discussion questions.	The student answered each question, but there were not many details and grammatical errors.	The student answered each question and brought good ideas with each discussion post.	3
Responding to Students Discussion	The student did not respond to any other discussion posts.	The student responded to some discussion posts.	The student responded to all required discussion topics.	3
Assessment Information	The assessment did not cite the book or the presentation.	The assessment cited either the book or the presentation, but not both.	The assessment brought ideas from both the presentation and the book.	3
Assessment Structure	The assessment was not clear and hard to understand.	The assessment was unclear in some parts.	The assessment was easy to follow and understand.	3
Learning Community	The student does not acknowledge the learning community.	The student mentions the learning community, however does do not develop the concept.	The student describes and understands the importance of building a learning community in an online classroom.	2
Learning Process	The student does not acknowledge the learning process.	The student mentions the learning process, however does not develop the concept.	The student describes and understands the learning process in an online classroom.	3
Total Score				17/18 = 94%
Comments Great Ideas.  Your discussions were insightful.  What is the purpose of the learning community?  How do the learning process and learning community relate?   Please see my blog for other student’s ideas.