Karen Casto

1

• Karen Casto Justina Brown
• Center for Instructional Innovation
• Western Washington University

2
Impressions

• My experience as an online student
• 30-40 higher dropout rate than in face-to-face
  instruction
• Research supports the experience
• Attitudes about technology
• Feelings of isolation
• Lack of social interaction group work

3
Impressions

• Weaknesses in online communication
• Eye contact
• Gestures tones of expression
• Laughter
• Spontaneity of expression
• Instant response to ideas
• Adaptation of teaching style based on student
  feedback

4
Instructor Connections

• Use online tools creatively
• Discussion boards, chat, email
• Graphics, group activities

5
Instructor Connections

• Forge a communications relationship!
• Ensure learners have access to you
• Provide online open question forum
• Introduce yourself include yourself
• Provide a forum for student input
• Communications Agreement

6
Student Connections

• Immersion in the Subject Matter
• Use technologies with which the students are
  already familiar
• Make the environment so engaging that the
  students are drawn into it
• Reward student explorations
• Example 3D tour of virtualMedieval Village

7
Connecting through Interactivity

• Use cutting-edge technologies to make the
  ordinary seem extraordinary
• Example Microsoft Agent technologies
• Can be used on the web
• Allow students to interact with their course
  content
• Personalize the course content
• Agent characters can even speakusing a human
  voice

8
Teaching Learning Connections

• Making learning immersive
• Addressing learning styles
• Using technologies to build learning communities