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.