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There is no question of the potential value of the Internet and
computer mediated communications
(CMC) for student learning. CMC provides opportunities for
collaboration, cooperation, interaction, support, empowerment, and
student centered learning. The question is, "What's the best way to
do it?" Or, "What will work well and what won't?" It is clear that
experiment, thought, ethics, values, and human nature are important
ingredients for using these technological advances effectively in
education.
Our challenge then is to find ways to use these technologies to enhance or enable those things that help us achieve our ultimate goal - to have students learn. This requires us to consider carefully what "those things" are, especially as we redesign our teaching around the new technologies. What does it take to have a successful learning experience?
To help you on this quest and journey we have been monitoring and learning from an on-line college classroom listserv.There is a concept in organizational communication related to the boundaries ariound organizations and the importance to the vitality of the organization that those boundaries be permeable, that is, that new ideas and information leak into the organization. In our lurking on the list we have received ideas and information that otherwise we would not have thought of or run across. Just a few of the topics discussed, shared, bantered include:
OCC-L, the On-Line College Classroom List, is devoted to
discussions, announcements, papers, etc. that are pertinent to those
who are teaching (or planning to teach) college classes on-line. The
emphasis is on both the practical considerations of planning and
implementing on-line instruction as well as on theoretical or
philosophical issues. Discussions are aimed at the needs of both the
beginner and the expert. Questions and responses to the entire list
are encouraged. Contributions are professional, engaging, and
enlightening.
To subscribe to this list, send an email message to:
listproc@hawaii.edu
and type the following into the body of your message:
SUBSCRIBE OCC-L PutYourFirstNameHere PutYourLastNameHere
This past April 2-4 TCC-L hosted it's first annual virtual
conference. Papers presented were viewed in the week prior to the
conference. At the conference over 600 in attendance from all over
the world joined moo sessions and a separate listserv to exchange
thoughts and questions with the presenters. We've selected some of
the papers for you to browse:
Welcome to The First Annual TCC-L On-Line Conference
"Innovative Instructional Practices"
Sponsored by Kapiolani Community College