Week 1: Overview, Readings and Resources

Read and View

Read

Time challenged? Read the first two on the list. 

• Schwier, Richard A. (2002). Shaping the Metaphor of Community in Online Learning Environments (pdf). University of Saskatchewan, Paper presented to the International Symposium on Educational Conferencing. The Banff Centre, Banff, Alberta, June 1, 2002. 8 pages.
  Note:This fairly short paper discusses the elements of community and suggests implications for online learning communities. It is a fast, enjoyable read that, while pointing to challenges, also suggests ways to meet them.
  
  
• RRU - CTET. (2008, Fall). Facilitating Online Learning (PDF) Tools for Teaching (T4T) Tipsheet, 1(2), 1-2.
  Note: This is a quick read and a must for for online facilitators!

If you don't have time to read the journal article by Thormann and Fidalgo, review the Abstract and the final sections - Discussion and Implications (pp383-385). 

• Thormann, Joan, Fidalgo, Patricia (2014)  Guidelines for Online Course Moderation and Community Building from a.Student's Perspective. MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, Vol. 10, No. 3, September 2014, Retrieved from http://jolt.merlot.org/vol10no3/Thorman_0914.pdf

If you don't have time to read the journal article by Vesely, Bloom and Sherlock, review the Abstract and Table 1: Factors ranked by faculty and students as most relevant to building community.

• Vesely, Pam, Bloom, Lisa, & Sherlock, John. (2007). Key Elements of Building Online Community: Comparing Faculty and Student Perceptions.MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 3(3), 234-246.
  
  
• Cowley, J., Chanley, S., Downes, S., Holstrom, L., Ressel, D., Siemens, G., & Weisburgh, M. (2002, October 21). Online Facilitation pdf, elearnspace
  Note: This post briefly discusses 'Facilitation', from what it means to roles and responsibilities.

View

• (5:11 min YouTube video)
  Note: Several profs giving tips: how to communicate, set expectations, presence, podcasts/videos
  
  
• Using myCourses - Online Facilitation strategies re: Online Discussions (6 min. YouTube video)
  Note: At 1:45 there is a nice piece on instructor presence in online discussions and at about 3:41 there is about a minute about using a tool (Adobe Connect) like Blackboard Collaborate.

And just for fun....

• (3:08 YouTube video)
  Note: Calling all Elvis fans....(funny because it's true?)