LTGR Ep. #75 – “Online Education: The ‘For Dummies’ Edition”
In this episode, Dan Balzer and guest co-host Jonathan Finkelstein of LearningTimes, interview Susan Manning and Kevin Johnson, co-authors of the all new book Online Education for Dummies. They share some tips and highlights from their new work, and invite listeners to join them for their live online session during IOC 2010.
Show Notes:
There’s a new book out, and it was co-authored by LearningTimes Green Room’s own Susan Manning together with Kevin Johnson. The book is Online Education for Dummies. It’s a practical hands-on guide for anyone involved in learning online — from admission to graduation.
NOTE: Susan and Kevin will be featured speakers during the 8th Annual International Online Conference (IOC) for Teaching and Learning (March 17-19, 2010). Join them online!
During this virtual book launch podcast, Susan and Kevin describe how useful the book is for online instructors and anyone creating online learning programs. It might be thought of as a manifesto for online learning. What do you need to do as an online facilitator to ensure your learners are having a meaningful experience? Some online instructors have already put the book on their course reading lists to serve as a guide for learners on how to get the most out of their online classes.
The authors talk about some of the tips they share, the process of collaborating to write the book, and how the fun, informal style associated with For Dummies books fit with their personalities.
From the book jacket: “Online Education For Dummies explains the ins and outs of attending a virtual classroom, and provides you with the tools you need to hone your skills or obtain additional certification and degrees. This practical reference not only helps you get the most out of an online course, but also offers a wealth of advice to help you pick the one that matches your interests and needs.”
Listeners, what advice would be on your top 10 tips for new online learners? Share one tip, share two, or share ten! Let’s make a community-generated tip list to help the uninitiated. Continue the discussion by posting at ltgreenroom.org or talk to us in LearningTimes! We facilitate discussion in LearningTimes.org or call us at 1-800-609-9006 x8055 (US and Canada) or 678-255-2174 x8055 (outside US and Canada).
March 10th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
[...] http://www.ltgreenroom.org/episodes/89 [...]
March 10th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Hi all
Love the concept of bringing together a series of tips and tricks that is directly targetting learners. To date most material has been pitched at supporting the teachers so this is a wonderful aid that I will be actively promoting within my organisation.
I have ordered my copy.
Thanks
Malcolm
March 11th, 2010 at 8:12 am
Can’t wait for my copy to arrive!
March 12th, 2010 at 10:45 am
[...] http://www.ltgreenroom.org/episodes/89 [...]
May 13th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Here’s my 10:
1. Be ready for it to feel weird sometimes. This is not like the education experiences you have had.
2. You have to provide the structure, so set deadlines for yourself.
3. Your family and friends probably won’t understand that you are “in class.” So make a sign for the door.
4. Don’t confuse “asynchronous” with “whenever I get around to it.”
5. Share your experiences and knowledge with others in the class. You are not just “receiving” an education.
6. If something is confusing – ask. There are no visual cues for the instructor to see you are struggling. And the instructor may be as new to online learning as you are.
7. Go to your class a day or two before your first session to make sure you can find your way around.
8. Keep reminding yourself why you are taking this class. That internal motivation is a strong force for helping you complete the course.
9. Don’t wait until the first class to read the syllabus. You’ll have to order required texts instead of just stopping by the bookstore after the first class is done.
10. Remember to have fun. Approach this like the first day of kindergarten, not the first day of prison.
Alan Selig