New Roles of Instructors and Students in Blended and Fully Online Learning Environments

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New Roles of Instructors and Students in Blended
and Fully Online Learning Environments

• Curt Bonk, Indiana University
• President, CourseShare.com
• cjbonk_at_indiana.edu
• http//php.indiana.edu/cjbonk
• http//CourseShare.com

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What is happening inhigher education?
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New Roles for InstructorsBerge Collins
AssociatesMauri Collins and Zane L.
Bergehttp//www.emoderators.com/moderators.shtml
mod
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New Instructor Roles Online?

• Make learning activities relevant
• Vary your instructional approaches activities
• Provide immediate feedback
• Build conflict and tension
• Task structure with clear deadlines
• Give students choice in activities
• Creating an open and flexible learning environment

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Study of Four Classes(Bonk, Kirkley, Hara,
Dennen, 2001)

• TechnicalTrain, early tasks, be flexible,
  orientation task
• ManagerialInitial meeting, FAQs, detailed
  syllabus, calendar, post administrivia, assign
  e-mail pals, gradebooks, email updates
• PedagogicalPeer feedback, debates, PBL, cases,
  structured controversy, field reflections,
  portfolios, teams, inquiry, portfolios
• SocialCafé, humor, interactivity, profiles,
  foreign guests, digital pics, conversations,
  guests

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Main Role E-Moderator

• Refers to online teaching and facilitation role.
  Moderating used to mean to preside over a meeting
  or a discussion, but in the electronic world, it
  means more than that. It is all roles
  combinedto hold meetings, to encourage, to
  provide information, to question, to summarize,
  etc. (Collins Berge, 1997 Gilly Salmon, 2000)
  
• see http//www.emoderators.com/moderators.shtml.

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Personal Learning Trainer

• Learners need a personal trainer to lead them
  through materials and networks, identify relevant
  materials and advisors and ways to move forward
  (Mason, 1998 Salmon, 2000).

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E-Police

• While one hopes you will not call yourself this
  nor find the need to make laws and enforce them,
  you will need some Code of Practice or set
  procedures, and protocols for e-moderators (Gilly
  Salmon, 2000).

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Other Hats

• Weaverlinking comments/threads
• Tutorindividualized attention
• Participantjoint learner
• Provocateurstir the pot ( calm flames)
• Observerwatch ideas and events unfold
• Mentorpersonally apprentice students
• Community Organizerkeep system going

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Still More Hats

• Assistant
• Devils advocate
• Editor
• Expert
• Filter
• Firefighter
• Facilitator

• Gardener
• Helper
• Lecturer
• Marketer
• Mediator
• Priest
• Promoter

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Online Mentoring and Assistance Online
Twelve forms of electronic learning mentoring and
assistance(Bonk Kim, 1998 Tharp, 1993 Bonk
et al., 2001)
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(No Transcript)
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1. Social (and cognitive) Acknowledgement
"Hello...," "I agree with everything said so
far...," "Wow, what a case," "This case certainly
has provoked a lot of discussion...," "Glad you
could join us..."
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5. Feedback/Praise "Wow, I'm impressed...,"
"That shows real insight into...," "Are you sure
you have considered...," "Thanks for responding
to X...," "I have yet to see you or anyone
mention..."
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6. Cognitive Task Structuring "You know, the
task asks you to do...," "Ok, as was required,
you should now summarize the peer responses that
you have received...," "How might the textbook
authors have solved this case."
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How get to instructors to adopt?

1. Sponsor conferences, lunches, tech showcases
2. Provide technical support
3. Showcase effective ideas (mini conference)
4. Small pockets of money, recognize in annual
   merit, or other award systems
5. Instructor of the month spotlight
6. Peer mentoring programs
7. Laptop programs
8. Staff development, send to conferences

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What About Student Roles???
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New Student Roles Online?

• Student, colleague, teacher, evaluator, group
  leader, synthesizer, resource finder, etc
• Present to peers instead of listen to lectures
• Keep in touch with instructor and peers
• Take ownership over material
• Need to pace self
• Self-assessment of work
• Select tasks, explore Web

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Role 1 Starter/MediatorReporter/Commentator

• Summarizes the key terms, ideas, and issues in
  the chapters, supplemental instructor notes,
  journal articles, and other assigned readings and
  asks thought provoking questions typically before
  ones peers read or discuss the concepts and
  ideas. In effect, he/she points out what to
  expect in the upcoming readings or activities.
  Once the start is posted, this student acts as
  a mediator or facilitator of discussion for the
  week.

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Role 2 Wrapper/SummarizerSynthesizer/Connector/R
eviewer

• Connects ideas, synthesizes discussion,
  interrelates comments, and links both explicit
  and implicit ideas posed in online discussion or
  other activities. The learner looks for themes
  in online coursework while weaving information
  together. The wrapping or summarizing is done at
  least at the end of the week or unit, but
  preferably two or more times depending on the
  length of activity.

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Role 3 Conqueror or Debater/Arguer/Bloodletter

• Takes ideas into action, debates with others,
  persists in arguments and never surrenders or
  compromises nomatter what the casualties are when
  addressing any problem or issue.

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Role 4 Devil's Advocate or Critic/Censor/Confeder
ate

• Takes opposite points of view for the sake of an
  argument and is an antagonist when addressing any
  problem posed. This might be a weekly role that
  is secretly assigned.

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Role 5 Idea Squelcher/Biased/Preconceiver

• Squelches good and bad ideas of others and
  submits your own prejudiced or biased ideas
  during online discussions and other situations.
  Forces others to think. Is that person you
  really hate to work with.

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Role 6 Optimist/Open-minded/Idealist

• In this role, the student notes what appears to
  be feasible, profitable, ideal, and "sunny" ideas
  when addressing this problem. Always sees the
  bright or positive side of the situation.

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Role 7 Emotional/Sensitive/Intuitive

• Comments with the fire and warmth of emotions,
  feelings, hunches, and intuitions when
  interacting with others, posting comments, or
  addressing problems.

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Role 8 Idea Generator Creative Energy/Inventor

• Brings endless energy to online conversations
  and generates lots of fresh ideas and new
  perspectives to the conference when addressing
  issues and problems.

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Role 9 Questioner/Ponderer/Protester

• Role is to question, ponder, and protest the
  ideas of others and the problem presented itself.
  Might assume a radical or ultra-liberal tone.

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Role 10 Coach Facilitator/Inspirer/Trainer

• Offers hints, clues, supports, and highly
  motivational speeches to get everyone fired-up or
  at least one lost individual back on track when
  addressing a problem or situation.

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Role 11 Controller/Executive Director/CEO/Leader

• In this role, the student oversees the process,
  reports overall findings and opinions, and
  attempts to control the flow of information,
  findings, suggestions, and general problem
  solving.

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Role 12 Slacker/Slough/Slug/Surfer

• In this role, the student does little or nothing
  to help him/herself or his/her peers learn.
  Here, one can only sit back quietly and listen,
  make others do all the work for you, and
  generally have a laid back attitude (i.e., go to
  the beach) when addressing this problem.

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Blended LearningSample Synchronous and
Asynchronous Activities
(David Brown, Syllabus, January 2002, p. 23
October 2001, p. 18)
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Sample Asynchronous Activities

1. Social Ice Breakers intros, favorite Web sites
2. Learner-Content Interactions self-testing
3. Scenario-Based Simulations
4. Starter-Wrapper Discussion
5. Anonymous Suggestion Box
6. Role Play Assume the Persona of a Scholar
7. Online Experiments and Demonstrations
8. Case-Based Learning

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1. Social Ice Breakers

• a. Introductions require not only that students
  introduce themselves, but also that they find and
  respond to two classmates who have something in
  common (Serves dual purpose of setting tone and
  having students learn to use the tool)
• b. Favorite Web Site Have students post the URL
  of a favorite Web site or URL with personal
  information and explain why they choose that one.

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(No Transcript)
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2. Learner-Content Interactions Self-Testing
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3. Scenario-Based Simulations
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4. Discussion Starter-Wrapper (Hara, Bonk,
Angeli, 2000)

• Starter reads ahead and starts discussion and
  others participate and wrapper summarizes what
  was discussed.
• Start-wrapper with roles--same as 1 but include
  roles for debate (optimist, pessimist, devil's
  advocate).
• Alternative Facilitator-Starter-Wrapper
  (Alexander, 2001)
• Instead of starting discussion, student acts as
  moderator or questioner to push student thinking
  and give feedback

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5. Formative Feedback Anonymous Suggestion Box

• George Watson, Univ of Delaware, Electricity and
  Electronics for Engineers
• Students send anonymous course feedback (Web
  forms or email)
• Submission box is password protected
• Instructor decides how to respond
• Then provide response and most or all of
  suggestion in online forum
• It defuses difficult issues, airs instructor
  views, and justified actions publicly.
• Caution If you are disturbed by criticism,
  perhaps do not use.

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6. Role Play

• A. Assume Persona of Scholar
• Enroll famous people in your course
• Students assume voice of that person for one or
  more sessions
• Enter debate topic or Respond to debate topic
• Respond to reading reflections of others or react
  to own

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7. Online Co-laborative Psych Experiments

• PsychExperiments (University of Mississippi)
• Contains 30 free psych experiments
• Location independent
• Convenient to instructors
• Run experiments over large number of subjects
• Can build on it over time
• Cross-institutional

Ken McGraw, Syllabus, November, 2001
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8. Case-Based Learning Student Cases

• Model how to write a case
• Practice answering cases.
• Generate 2-3 cases during semester based on field
  experiences.
• Link to the text materialrelate to how how text
  author or instructor might solve.
• Respond to 6-8 peer cases.
• Summarize the discussion in your case and a peer
  case.
• (Note method akin to storytelling)

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Sample Synchronous Activities

1. Webinar, Webcast
2. Synchronous Testing and Assessment
3. Sync Guests or Expert Forums
4. Threaded Discussion Plus Expert Chat
5. Collaborative Online Writing
6. Online Mentoring

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1. Webinar
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2. Synchronous Testing Assessment(Giving Exams
in the Chat Room!, Janet Marta, NW Missouri State
Univ, Syllabus, January 2002)

1. Post times when will be available for 30 minute
   slots, first come, first serve.
2. Give 10-12 big theoretical questions to study
   for.
3. Tell can skip one.
4. Assessment will be a dialogue.
5. Get them there 1-2 minutes early.
6. Have hit enter every 2-3 sentences.
7. Ask qs, redirect, push for clarity, etc.
8. Covers about 3 questions in 30 minutes.

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3. Electronic Guests Mentoring
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4. Threaded Discussion plus Expert Chat (e.g.,
Starter-Wrapper Sync Guest Chat)
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5. Collaborative Online Writing Peer-to-Peer
Document Collaboration
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6. Online Mentoring(e.g., GlobalEnglish)
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Blended Learning Ideas (Margaret Driscoll, March
2002, e-learning Magazine, p. 54)

• Put assessment online
• Put threaded discussions (community) online
• Make reference materials available for depth
• Deliver preclass materials electronically
• Provide online office hours
• Extend class with an online coach or mentor
• Life discussions with experts
• Create a lifeline for learners outside of class
• Use email and messaging

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Hold Online Discussions/Community
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More Blended Ideas(Bonk, 2003)

• Take to lab for online group collaboration.
• Take to computer lab for Web search.
• Take to an electronic conference.
• Put syllabus on the Web.
• Create a class computer conference.
• Require students sign up for a listserv.
• Use e-mail minute papers e-mail admin.
• Have students do technology demos.

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Posted Resources (e.g., cases, Glossary)
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So What Happens to Instructors and Students in
the Future???
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• We are evolving out of the era of the Lone
  Rangersfaculty members can choose to be involved
  in the design, development, content expertise,
  delivery, or distribution of course (Richard T.
  Hezel)
• Sarah Carr, (Dec 15, 2000, A47), A Day in the
  Life of a New Type of Professor, The Chronicle of
  Higher Education

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Track 1 Technical Specialist

• Help critique technical aspects of media and
  materials built into online courses. Here one
  would be part of a course development team or
  instructional design unit. Freelance learning
  object evaluator. Here one would likely operate
  alone or as part of a consulting company.

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Track 2 Personal Guide

• Provide program or course guidance to students on
  demand or preplanned. Becomes more of a
  generalist across university offerings. For
  example, one might help students see how
  different learning objects or modules fit
  together into a degree.

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Track 3 Online Facilitator

• Offers timely and informed support to students
  struggling to complete an online course or
  inserting questions and nudging development of
  students who are successfully completing
  different modules. This is the most similar to
  college teaching positions today.

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Track 4 Course Developer

• Help develop specific courses or topic areas for
  one or more universities. In many institutions,
  this will move beyond a course royalty system to
  a paid position.

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Track 5 Course or Program Manager

• Supervisor or manager of an entire new program or
  courses, most often leading to certificates or
  masters degrees. Similar in stature to a
  development head or chairperson.

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Track 6 Work for Hire Online Lecturer

• Is a freelance instructor for one course or a
  range of course. May work on just one campus or
  on a range of campuses around the world. While
  this will be highly popular and rejuvenate
  careers, institutional policies are yet to be
  sorted out.

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Track 7 High School Teacher

• As universities begin to offer secondary degrees,
  some college faculty with online teaching
  experience and teaching degrees will find
  positions in those classes. Some may view such
  positions as being demoted to the minor leagues.

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Track 8 Unemployed

• If one does not find a niche in one or more of
  the above tracks or roles, he or she will likely
  be unemployed or highly unsuccessful.

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Student Differences in 2020

• Live Longer
• More Educated
• Multiple Degrees
• Accustomed to Multiple Learning Formats
• Design own programs and courses
• Specialists AND Generalists
• Courses/Degrees for unknown occupations
• Expect to Take Courses Where Live
• Cyber-students (various digital aids attached to
  appendages)

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Possible Scenarios in Year 2020

• Virtual Us and Traditional Us Coexist
• Traditional Univs buy stake in Virtual Us
• Traditional Univs form Consortia
• Some Trad Us Move Ahead, Some Dont
• Other Technology arise well beyond Web
• Large Virtual Us Buy Competing Traditional Us
  and shut them down

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What Uses for Old Institutions of Higher
Learning???

• Museums
• Historical Monuments
• Bomb Shelters
• Resorts and Apartment Complexes
• Nostalgic Retirement Homes
• Green Space
• Prisons

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Some Final Advice
Or Maybe Some Questions???