Assessment #5

This student structured their assessment differently than most other students.  Its clear the students knows that the learning process and the learning community compliment each other. 

Learning in an online course has many characteristics. Most of the learning is student centered. The students are asked to collaborate with other classmates. The classmates work together virtually to create projects/assignments.  This helps students who are introverts. These types of students do not have to feel uneasy about trying to find a group member or ask questions in a front of others. In a virtual class that element is no longer valid.  Another characteristic is flexibility. According to the video I watched the learning is flexible or asynchronous.  For example, the students in the class post, read learning modules, and work on assignments at different times. In a face-to-face setting the students and the instructor meet at the same time and day. In addition, the responses that students post are more in depth and thought provoking. In a face-to-face class students are not able to generate as thoughtful answers as a virtual classroom student. Another important characteristic of an online course is the instructor. The teacher should provide thought provoking questions. It is the job of the teacher to facilitate the collaborative learning. The instructor poses questions that make the students think about ideas that they can relate too and add their personal views or beliefs. Also it is critical that the teacher encourages participation from every member. It is also important that the instructor monitors the students’ progress and the amount of participation each member has generated.  If a student is not participating, the instructor should contact the student to find out about any issues he or she may have. The lack of participation greatly affects the performance of the whole group. Students in a virtual classroom must be self-motivated and willing to devote 4-15 hours a week per class.

	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.	2
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				17/18 = 94%
Comments Great ideas.  The instructor is a critical part of the learning process by being a facilitator.  See my blog for other student’s ideas.