#IOLchat Archive

#IOLchat meets Wednesdays at 12PM ET to discuss trends and issues in online education.

Wednesday March 23, 2016
12:00 PM EDT

IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:01 PM EDT

Welcome to this week's #IOLchat :) Who's joining in today? https://t.co/kGGSeMZ5AD
jshamsy Mar 23 @ 12:02 PM EDT

Hello! Jennifer from ATL .. Adjunct online instructor #iolchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:03 PM EDT

@jshamsy Hello, Jennifer! Hope all is well. :) #IOLchat
GraceMCarpenter Mar 23 @ 12:05 PM EDT

Grace here Michigan Virtual School ELA Department Lead Instructor. I'll be in and out of the chat and contribute what I can #IOLchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:06 PM EDT

@GraceMCarpenter Thanks for the RT! Glad you can jump in. :) #iolchat
ajwalshiv Mar 23 @ 12:06 PM EDT

Hello, Andrew Walsh from JWU Online Education. Instructional Technologist and new Faculty member for this term. #iolchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:07 PM EDT

@ajwalshiv Welcome back, Andrew! #IOLchat How is your class going?
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:10 PM EDT

Let's get the #IOLchat started! Q1 coming up ...
ShiftParadigm Mar 23 @ 12:10 PM EDT

Read new post: MY LIVING QUILT: STITCHED WITH LOVE - The Heartland Series https://t.co/4tOPnMh2Mc #IOLchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:12 PM EDT

Q1) Let's start with skills and abilities – what's required for online teaching? #iolchat
GraceMCarpenter Mar 23 @ 12:15 PM EDT

A1: @nacol's standards for Quality Online Teaching do an excellent job identifying key skills for online teachers #iolchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:16 PM EDT

@GraceMCarpenter thanks for sharing! I haven't looked at those standards in a while but need to revisit. #iolchat
jshamsy Mar 23 @ 12:16 PM EDT

A1) tech skills in LMS, patience, knowledge of subject, willingness to go above and beyond #IOLchat
GraceMCarpenter Mar 23 @ 12:17 PM EDT

@IOLblog we used them to help outline a year-long PD plan for our new instructional staff. Very useful and applicable! #iolchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:18 PM EDT
Good mix of technical skills and general characteristics here! #OnlineTeaching #IOLchat https://t.co/oi9VISZvTF
- jshamsy Mar 23 @ 12:16 PM EDT
  
  A1) tech skills in LMS, patience, knowledge of subject, willingness to go above and beyond #IOLchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:20 PM EDT
Have you seen @nacol's Quality Online Teaching standards? #IOLchat https://t.co/Pa7hRObCkM
- GraceMCarpenter Mar 23 @ 12:17 PM EDT
  
  @IOLblog we used them to help outline a year-long PD plan for our new instructional staff. Very useful and applicable! #iolchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:21 PM EDT
Great list of needed online teaching attributes! #IOLchat https://t.co/0SG2a5K9ke
- karenraycosta Mar 23 @ 12:15 PM EDT
  
  @IOLblog Kindness, compassion, optimism, energy, & expertise in chosen field...for me these are baseline. Everything else can be taught.
jshamsy Mar 23 @ 12:22 PM EDT

I think standards should also be tailored to organization/culture #IOLchat
ajwalshiv Mar 23 @ 12:22 PM EDT

@IOLblog A1: Ability to communicate effectively with students, and through different means I think is a plus. #iolchat
GraceMCarpenter Mar 23 @ 12:23 PM EDT

@IOLblog @nacol https://t.co/3YMPgGdIOg #iolchat
GraceMCarpenter Mar 23 @ 12:24 PM EDT

A1: Communication is key. It's tricky online because we face so many obstacles trying to develop strong relationships with students #iolchat
jshamsy Mar 23 @ 12:25 PM EDT

@ajwalshiv @IOLblog I think the tech/communication skills are more important than content #IOLchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:25 PM EDT

+1 RT @ajwalshiv A1: Ability to communicate effectively with students, and through different means I think is a plus. #iolchat
karenraycosta Mar 23 @ 12:26 PM EDT

@ajwalshiv @IOLblog I agree with this. Adaptable Communicator. Phone, email, text, Skype, online meetings, etc. #iolchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:27 PM EDT

@jshamsy @ajwalshiv Interesting!! You've got a point here though ... moving into Q2 ... #iolchat
jshamsy Mar 23 @ 12:27 PM EDT

@GraceMCarpenter lack of non verbal cues interfere but can be overcome #IOLchat
karenraycosta Mar 23 @ 12:27 PM EDT

@IOLblog increasingly I feel that knowledge of brain-based teaching strategies is critical to online teaching as well #iolchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:27 PM EDT

@GraceMCarpenter Agreed - communication skills are the crux of it all. And getting a good start in each class sets the tone. #iolchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:29 PM EDT

Q2) Do instructors need additional training specific to online delivery? Does this happen in their academic work/teacher prep? #iolchat
karenraycosta Mar 23 @ 12:30 PM EDT

@IOLblog Creating inspired announcements, savvy discussion facilitator, well-organized outreach are also on my growing list. #IOLchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:31 PM EDT

A2) I think the group is getting to this one already - teaching strategies, overcoming non-verbal cues, techtechtech #iolchat
ajwalshiv Mar 23 @ 12:31 PM EDT

@IOLblog A2: Perhaps in the difference to how information is received or learned by students compared to f2f classes. #iolchat
jshamsy Mar 23 @ 12:31 PM EDT

@IOLblog yes they need it and no they don't receive it ... I think it is personality type that factors in #IOLchat
ajwalshiv Mar 23 @ 12:32 PM EDT

@IOLblog A2: #2 Training in structured flexibility: How can students be assessed in other, non-traditional ways in online learning. #iolchat
ajwalshiv Mar 23 @ 12:33 PM EDT

@jshamsy @IOLblog That's true, too! Not enough training sometimes. #iolchat
karenraycosta Mar 23 @ 12:34 PM EDT

@jshamsy @IOLblog The biggest rule for me: we are all visual learners. #iolchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:34 PM EDT

There are so many things to learn! And it's ongoing, esp. with technology. #iolchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:36 PM EDT

@jshamsy The personality type is a tricky one - some may not be initially well-suited, but can training help? #IOLchat
jshamsy Mar 23 @ 12:37 PM EDT

@karenraycosta @IOLblog like that - well organized outreach -- this is a must! #IOLchat
ajwalshiv Mar 23 @ 12:37 PM EDT

@karenraycosta True. It can also be very time consuming for new OL faculty to incorporate visual learning aids in their courses. #Iolchat
karenraycosta Mar 23 @ 12:37 PM EDT

@IOLblog @jshamsy I think the community of inquiry model's teaching presence is a nice way to get at this. https://t.co/gODcLMWV3F #IOLchat
jshamsy Mar 23 @ 12:37 PM EDT

@ajwalshiv @IOLblog I don't believe in changing standards - but online delivery should be kept in mind during evaluation design #IOLchat
GraceMCarpenter Mar 23 @ 12:38 PM EDT

A2: Online Ts definitely need a specific set of skills to overcome many barriers faced & to create a quality learning environment #iolchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:38 PM EDT

@karenraycosta well said, there may also be something to encouraging mentorships w/those who are really effective in this area #IOLchat
jshamsy Mar 23 @ 12:38 PM EDT

@IOLblog I think training - but more awareness -- have they ever been an online student? Necessity imo :-) #iolchat
jshamsy Mar 23 @ 12:39 PM EDT

@karenraycosta @IOLblog yes - online learning should rely on/ be a culture/philosophy not just as a delivery medium! #IOLchat
karenraycosta Mar 23 @ 12:39 PM EDT

@IOLblog Agreed, sharing examples of tricky concepts like email tone can go a long way. #IOLchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:39 PM EDT

Yes @jshamsy! First-hand experience as an online learner can really inform and alter perspective #iolchat
karenraycosta Mar 23 @ 12:40 PM EDT

@ajwalshiv But I hear you. We have to create sustainable teaching models for the good of faculty and students. #IOLchat
jshamsy Mar 23 @ 12:40 PM EDT

@karenraycosta @IOLblog @BrainRulesBooks would hope this would be part of any instruction - but vital for #onlinelearning #IOLchat
ajwalshiv Mar 23 @ 12:40 PM EDT

@karenraycosta Yes it can become eaiser. But for those who are new without a system in place, learning curve can be steep. #iolchat
jshamsy Mar 23 @ 12:41 PM EDT

@ajwalshiv @IOLblog training isn't necessary the golden key - other ways to accomplish #IOLchat
karenraycosta Mar 23 @ 12:41 PM EDT

@jshamsy @IOLblog @BrainRulesBooks it's scary to me how little we talk about the brain in the field of education. #IOLchat
ajwalshiv Mar 23 @ 12:41 PM EDT

@karenraycosta The more experienced faculty are, the better they become and more intuitive, too. #iolchat
karenraycosta Mar 23 @ 12:42 PM EDT

@ajwalshiv agreed. which speaks to need to retain great online faculty right? #IOLchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:42 PM EDT

Q3) New certificate/credentials are plentiful, offered through colleges to professional organizations, are these valuable/desired? #iolchat
jshamsy Mar 23 @ 12:43 PM EDT

@karenraycosta @IOLblog @BrainRulesBooks well and that there may be different ways to address this in online learning #IOLchat
ajwalshiv Mar 23 @ 12:43 PM EDT

@karenraycosta Yes, and perhaps connecting them with the inexperienced and novice online faculty! #iolchat
karenraycosta Mar 23 @ 12:43 PM EDT

@IOLblog Yes but...Cost and time are concerns esp. for #adjuncts. I work on a free PD site as a passion project. #IOLchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:44 PM EDT

@jshamsy et al, Let's add "other ways" to Q3 ... is a formal certificate necessary? helpful? #iolchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:47 PM EDT

Do any of your institutions encourage attaining an "outside" certification? Or is fac dev more "in house"? #iolchat
jshamsy Mar 23 @ 12:48 PM EDT

@IOLblog all in house - found little encouragement or reward for prof. Dev #IOLchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:49 PM EDT

@karenraycosta Absolutely - the self-initiated PD can be the most rewarding and memorable #IOLchat :)
ajwalshiv Mar 23 @ 12:50 PM EDT

@IOLblog We offer virtual PD sessions throughout the year. When faculty attend, they get a "kudos" of sorts put on their file. #iolchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:50 PM EDT

@jshamsy I have a similar experience - new requirements even to complete in house certificate. wondering about demand for the other #IOLchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:51 PM EDT

@ajwalshiv So, definitely encouragement, along with a more custom training event for your faculty. #IOLchat #kudos :)
jshamsy Mar 23 @ 12:53 PM EDT

@IOLblog goes back to personality - hire those with LLL philosophy and I think you will have to do less "training" :-) #iolchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:53 PM EDT

What would impact your interest in completing a certificate program? #iolchat Have you looked into it?
ajwalshiv Mar 23 @ 12:55 PM EDT

@IOLblog You'll find those that want to learn more, will seek it out. #iolchat
karenraycosta Mar 23 @ 12:55 PM EDT

@IOLblog I love to learn so yes, all the time. Cost, time, accessibility, content. I want to have my mind blown! :) #IOLchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:56 PM EDT

@jshamsy Recruiting and screening a big part of this issue. Which brings in the complex adjunct component. #IOLchat How to attract the best?
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:56 PM EDT

:D RT @karenraycosta I love to learn so yes, all the time. Cost, time, accessibility, content. I want to have my mind blown! :) #IOLchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:57 PM EDT

@ajwalshiv Well said! Finding this group and getting them on board is essential.Improves everything else-student experience, too #iolchat
IOLblog Mar 23 @ 12:58 PM EDT

We’re nearing the end of the #IOLchat hour...