Participant’s Guide
Collaborative Learning Using Online Tools
Visit the @ONE Web site
Version 1 - December 2000 http://one.evc.edu/
COLLABORATIVE LEARNING USING ONLINE TOOLS
Development Team
Some of the material in this course evolved from "Using Email to Support Instruction", published by @ONE, developed by Phyllis Yasuda and Sandi Watkins, September 1999
Course Developers:
• Vivian Frederick, Instructor Emeritus, CIS, De Anza College, Cupertino
• Phyllis Yasuda, Instructor Emeritus, Business/CS, De Anza College, Cupertino
Content Experts:
• Susan Adrian, English faculty, Mission College, Santa Clara, CA
• Alan Buckley, Political Science faculty, Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA
• Julie Falsetti, ESL and Computer Science faculty, Hunter College, New York City, NY
• Susan Gaer, ESL faculty, Santa Ana College, Santa Ana, CA
• Wendy Greenstein, English faculty, Long Beach City College, Long Beach, CA
• Lucy MacDonald, Developmental Studies faculty, Chemeketa Community College, Salem, OR
• Dan Mitchell, Music faculty, De Anza College, Cupertino
• John Swensson, English faculty, De Anza College, Cupertino
Instructional Designers:
• Heidi King, Instructional Designer, @ONE
• Karla Frizler Octavio, Instructional Designer, @ONE
The @ONE Project is funded by the Technology and Telecommunications Program of the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, Grant # 96-0490.
@ONE Team
Marsha Conley, Instructional Development Coordinator, American River College
Stevie Daniels, Faculty, Fresno City College
Linda Delzeit, Faculty, Los Angeles Trade-Tech College
David Diaz, Faculty, Cuesta College
Jacque O’Lea, Faculty, Santa Ana College
Scott Vigallon, Instructional Designer, Las Positas College
Kip Waldo, Faculty/Staff Development, Chabot College
@ONE Staff
Ann Koda, Project Director, De Anza College
Catherine Ayers, Project Consultant
Karla Frizler Octavio, Instructional Designer
Heidi King, Instructional Designer
Shashi Naidu, Web Support
Marjorie West, Administrative Support
@ONE Advisory Committee
Martha Kanter, President, De Anza College, Co-Chair
Sandra Acebo, President, Butte College
Catherine Ayers, @ONE Project Consultant
David J. Bell, Director Information Services, Riverside Community College
Susan Cota, President Los Positas College
Linda Delzeit, Faculty, Los Angeles Trade Technical College
David Diaz, @ONE Team – Faculty, Cuesta College
Kathleen Doherty, Academic Partnership Manager, Adobe Systems
Nancy Glock Grueneich, Vice President of Learning, FACCC
Gregg Gordon, Higher Education Account Manager, Microsoft Corporation
Gus Guichard, Vice Chancellor, Human Resources, CCC Chancellor’s Office
Joe Georges, California Virtual Campus-PDC Director
Ann Koda, @ONE Project Director
Debra Landre, Faculty, San Joaquin Delta College
Cherri Li, Director of Academic Computing, Santa Monica College
Jim Marteney, 4CSD, Los Angeles Valley College
Jennifer Merlic, California Virtual Campus – PDC Training Director
Ric Mathews, Faculty, San Diego Miramar College
Paul Myers, California Virtual Campus, Region IV Director
Willie Pritchard, @ONE Supervising Administrator, De Anza College
Paul Simmons, Faculty Association of the California Community Colleges
Ron Speno, Government and Education Relations, Xerox Corporation
David Springett, President, Community College Foundation
Jack Tuller, Educational Channel Manager, North America, Macromedia
Linda Umbdenstock, CCC Research and Planning Group, Long Beach City College
Dianne Van Hook, Superintendent/President, Santa Clarita CCD
Scott Vigallon, @ONE Team, LasPositas College
Kip Waldo, 4CSD, Chabot College
Ian Walton, Technology Chair, CCC Academic Senate
Lindy Williams, Specialist, Telecommunications and Technology, CCC Chancellor’s Office
Tom Willis, @ONE Project Monitor, CCC Chancellor’s Office
Stacy Wilson, @ONE Evaluator, Council for PostSecondary Education
LeBaron Woodyard, Dean of Technology, CCC Chancellor’s Office
About @ONE
As California’s community colleges take on the challenge of effectively integrating technology into instruction and services, they do so with the goals of increased student access and improved student outcomes. The @ONE project has been funded by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to build a statewide training infrastructure with an electronic learning community as an integral support and connection for faculty throughout the state. The @ONE project is a faculty driven community college consortium that is dedicated to providing resources to community college faculty and staff to support learning and students in the 21st century.
@ONE Mission
The mission of @ONE is to empower California Community College faculty and staff to enhance student learning and success through expanded uses of effective technology by providing training, online resources and support.
Permission to Use & Reprint @ONE Training Materials
Modification, reprinting and distribution of these training materials throughout the California Community College system is authorized and encouraged, provided that @ONE is acknowledged as the original author (e.g. add this line before reprinting: "These training materials adapted with permission from @ONE, http://one.fhda.edu, [date]).
If you are outside the California Community College system and wish to use/adapt any @ONE training materials, please contact the @ONE Office at 408.257.0409, or write to to make arrangements.
Copyright © 2000, @ONE, California Community Colleges.
Evergreen Valley College, 3095 Yerba Buena Road, San Jose, CA 95135
• http://one.evc.edu/
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Table of Contents
Page
Table of Contents vii
Collaborative Learning Using Online Tools 1
Introduction 1
Course Description 1
Minimum Prerequisites for All Modules 1
Module One: An Overview of Online Tools 3
Introduction 3
Module One Objectives 3
Module One Prerequisites 3
Benefits of Using Online Communication and Collaboration Tools 4
Educational Objectives and Strategies 4
A Look at Asynchronous Online Tools 7
Email 7
Benefits of Using Email 7
Example of How Email Is Currently Being Used In Education 7
Listservs 8
Benefits of Using A Listserv 9
Example of How Listservs Are Currently Being Used In Education 9
Listserv Demonstration 10
Bulletin Board 10
Benefits of Using A Bulletin Board 11
Example of How Bulletin Boards Are Currently Being Used In Education 12
Bulletin Board Demonstration 13
A Look at Synchronous Online Tools 14
Chat 14
Benefits of Using Chat 14
Example of How Chat Sessions Are Currently Being Used In Education 16
Chat Demonstration 16
Instant Messaging 16
Benefits of using Instant Messaging 17
Example of How Instant Messaging Is Currently Being Used In Education 17
Instant Messaging Demonstration 17
Virtual Reality Environments 17
Benefits of Using Virtual Reality Environments 18
Example of How Virtual Reality Environments Are Currently Being Used In Education 18
Virtual Reality Demonstration 19
Practical Considerations 22
Preparing Yourself 22
Preparing Your Class 22
Privacy Considerations 23
The Class Survey 23
Preparing Your Facility 25
Summary 26
Module Two: Using Asynchronous Communication Tools (Email, Listservs, Bulletin Boards) 27
Introduction to the Module 27
Module Two Overview 27
Module Two Objectives 27
Module Two Prerequisites 27
Benefits of Asynchronous Learning Activities 28
A Look at Asynchronous Teaching Strategies 29
One-To-One and One-To-Many Communication 29
Communication Styles 29
Network Etiquette 31
Emoticons and Acronyms 31
Providing Feedback 32
Editing Student Writing 34
Additional Suggestions 36
Using Asynchronous Tools (Comparison Activities) 38
Activity One: Comparing Asynchronous Tools 38
Activity Two: Editing 38
Activity Three: Reflection (Selecting the Tool) 38
Activity Four: Brainstorming 39
Practical Considerations 40
Setting Up Student Email Accounts 40
Managing Asynchronous Communication 41
Managing Email 41
Setting Up Listservs 42
Setting Up Bulletin Boards 42
Troubleshooting Strategies 42
Summary 43
Module Three: Using Synchronous Communication Tools (Chat, Instant Messaging, Virtual Reality Environments) 45
Introduction 45
Module Three Overview 45
Module Three Objectives 45
Module Three Prerequisites 45
Benefits of Synchronous Learning Activities 46
A Look at Synchronous Teaching Strategies 47
Communication Styles 47
Providing Feedback 50
Online Office Hours 50
Setting Expectations 50
Network Etiquette for Synchronous Communication 52
Using Synchronous Tools (Comparison Activities) 53
Activity One: Comparisons 53
Activity Two: Reflection 53
Activity Three: Brainstorming 53
Practical Considerations 54
Using Chat 54
Using MOOs 56
Using Instant Messaging 58
Summary 60
Module Four: Creating Effective Lessons Using Online Tools 61
Introduction to the Module 61
Module Four Overview 61
Module Four Objectives 61
Module Four Prerequisites 61
Review of Previous Modules 62
Collaborative Learning Considerations 63
Developing a Sense of Community 63
Setting the Tone 63
Modeling/Coaching 64
Designing Effective Groups 66
Encouraging Collaboration 68
Forming Groups 68
Extending Classroom Discussions. 69
Encouraging Students To Use Community Resources. 70
Valuing Student Contribution/Assessment 71
Setting Expectations 72
Identify Learning Objectives 78
Activity One: Selecting Objectives 79
Match Tools to Objectives 80
Activity Two - Selecting Appropriate Tools 80
Create A Lesson/Activity 81
Activity Three: Creating a Lesson Plan 81
Summary 84
Additional Resources 84
Appendix A: Tools 85
Email Basics 87
Setting Up Email Accounts 87
Creating a Message 89
Receiving the Reply and Creating an Address Book 90
Creating Folders and Filters 93
To create a filter: 93
Creating Distribution Lists 95
Setting Up a Signature File 97
Setting Up a Yahoo! Groups Account 98
Using a Listserv 102
Using a Bulletin Board 104
Using Chat 106
Using a MOO 108
Appendix B: Some Useful Web Sites 113
Free Email 113
Listservs 113
Bulletin Boards 113
Chat 114
Instant Messaging 114
MOO 114
Netiquette 115
Collaborative Learning and Instructional Design 115
Online File Storage 116
Course Management Software 116
Other Sites of Special Interest To Teachers 116
Appendix C: Typical Classroom Activities and Suggestions for Online Tool Use 119
Appendix D: Class Survey 121
Appendix E: @ONE Training Course Evaluation—Participant 123
Course Content Evaluation Form – Participant 123
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collaborative learning using online tools
module ONE
Collaborative Learning Using Online Tools
Introduction
The overall goal of this course is to provide a conceptual picture of online tools for communication and collaborative learning in teaching. Brief explanations and examples will be used to help participants understand what tools are available and how they are being used.
The online tools described in this course provide effective alternatives for face-to-face communication. These tools can be used to create an environment that encourages all students to speak and participate in group discussions and exercises.
Infused throughout this course are the principles presented in the California Community Colleges Academic Senate Report, "Guidelines for Good Practice: Technology Mediated Instruction, " which is available in the Senate archives, at the URL given in Appendix B.
Course Description
This hands-on course is divided into four Modules as listed below, each designed for approximately two hours instruction time.
• Module One: Overview of Online Tools
• Module Two: Using Asynchronous Communication Tools (Email, Listservs, Bulletin Boards)
· Module Three: Using Synchronous Communication Tools (Chat, Instant Messaging, Virtual Reality Environments)
· Module Four: Creating Effective Lessons Using Online Tools
Minimum Prerequisites for All Modules
Participants must
1. Have an e-mail account that can be accessed from the lab during this course time and
2. Be able to complete the following tasks:
· Send and receive messages
· Reply to a message
3. Be able to use a World Wide Web browser to access the Web for "surfing" and research activities.
4. Be able to use a word processor and perform basic operations such as creating documents, saving documents in various file formats, and cutting and pasting between documents.
83
collaborative learning using online tools
module ONE
Module One: An Overview of Online Tools
Introduction
Online tools can be divided into two types: asynchronous and synchronous. Asynchronous tools are those that can be used by any participant at any time—multiple users do not need to be logged on simultaneously. Asynchronous tools include email, listservs and bulletin boards. Synchronous, "real time," tools are those that must be used at the same time by all participants. These include chat tools (Chat, IRC, Instant Messaging), and virtual reality tools (MOO/MUDs).
In Module One, the individual tools will be presented in the framework of how they might be used for effective communication and collaboration.
Module One Objectives
Participants will
· Learn about effective use of online tools for communication and collaborative learning.
· Learn the differences between asynchronous and synchronous communication tools.
Module One Prerequisites
Participants must
1. Have an e-mail account that can be accessed from the lab during this course time and
2. Be able to complete the following tasks:
· Send and receive messages
· Reply to a message
3. Be able to use a World Wide Web browser to access the Web for "surfing" and research activities.
4. Be able to use a word processor and perform basic operations such as creating documents, saving documents in various file formats, and cutting and pasting between documents.
We also suggest that you read Module One prior to class time.
Benefits of Using Online Communication and Collaboration Tools
Just as one presentation style is not effective for every student, one mode of technology is not universally effective. The goal of instruction should be to make a variety of options available for different students with different learning styles. The use of online tools offers simultaneous opportunities
· to encourage progress for the comfortable majority of students and
· to concentrate on the variety of individual and specific difficulties encountered by smaller groups of students.[1]
In other words, the online tools may make it possible
· for the visual learner to learn by "seeing" discussions as he participates
· for the tactual learner to learn by actively participating in learning activities
· for the auditory learner to learn by "listening" to and participating in online discussions
Educational Objectives and Strategies
When thinking about incorporating these new tools into a course, it is important to keep in mind the following two primary questions.
- What are your educational objectives/strategies for your class? Once you have a list of your educational objectives, you can begin to look at the use of new technology tools to see how they might enhance your objectives.
2. Which of those objectives can be met by using online tools? You will be able to answer this question better after you finish Module One.
Here are some possible objectives you may wish to consider when using online tools in your classes:
- Offer more options for students with different learning styles.
2. Create more meaningful interactions with the student. For example, students who correspond with the instructor by email or listserv once a week may, in fact, receive considerably more useful personal attention than those who sit quietly in the back of a lecture every day all semester. A student who participates electronically in a guided, threaded online discussion will almost certainly experience a richer interaction than that provided by a single question and answer in a traditional classroom.[2]