CLE3.1-04 Teaching in Connected and Online Classes – Digital Tools and Services

There are many established digital tools and services that can be applied in support of teaching and learning. Competitive developments drive further enhancements and the constant introduction of new tools. We can be assured that evaluation and application of emerging technologies will be an ongoing activity. What we need to do is put a stake in the ground and start. Select established tools as a base on which to build and, within your teaching community, agree to evaluate and consider changes where and when necessary.

This video introduces the core elements of a a digital academic environment. In short, there is a difference between the establishment of a collaborative academic environment and a formal academic environment for course delivery online.

Further discussion focuses on moving from Face-to-Face to Online teaching, identifying key digital services and tools that support this shift.

Time to Reflect

Consider your current use of tools and services to support your teaching. Where are you in terms of your move from face-to-face to online teaching? Teaching is about more than content delivery. Supporting the establishment and building of educator-learner relationships needed for effective engagement and interaction, provision of resource repositories for files and videos, referencing external resources and of course facilitating necessary online administrative processes.

Are you conducting your teaching as:

  • Face-to-Face (In-Class) – No use of any online resources or processes
  • Face-to-Face Using Online-Resources – You are teaching Face-to-Face but referencing online resources by sharing URLs and resource links to supporting materials. If you are using an LMS it is simply being used as a resource repository, not for the structured delivery of courses and interactive engagement with learners.
  • Blended (Mix of Face-to-Face and Online) – Some of the courses you present have a fully online component (may include face-to-face online live teaching) while other components are still presented face-to-face (in-class). (This will require a complete digital academic environment with an LMS and a supporting collaboration environment)
  • Fully online – your entire course, as well as supporting interactions are presented online. (This will require a complete digital academic environment with an LMS and a supporting collaboration environment)

In Live Multi-Class and Distance Teaching environments where you are active, what online meeting services are you exploiting and what level of proficiency do you have in using them:

  • Screen Sharing
  • Polling and Audience Response Systems
  • Non-verbal gestures
  • Chat and back channels
  • Whiteboards and collaborative annotation
  • Breakout Rooms

Reflect on the effectiveness of your online live teaching sessions and meetings and, considering the audience size, decide what service features you need to focus on using effectively to enhance your interactions