PLUTO Institute: Student Course Orientation
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This document provides an overview of best practices for orienting students to an online course on the Sakai learning management system. It discusses conducting an instructor-led orientation to familiarize students with how Sakai will be used in the course. The document also recommends including information on logging in, the course homepage structure, syllabus, assignments, and where to get help. It emphasizes introducing the instructor and asking students to introduce themselves. Finally, it proposes designing the course homepage to meet Quality Matters standards by including who, what, when, where, why and how aspects of the course.
PLUTO Institute: Student Course Orientation
- 1. “Student Course Orientation” Theme: Course Overview LN + PLUTO Sakai Orientation
- 2. Focus on Plan & Design Phases of Course Development LN
- 4. Quick Updates • Tagboard #PLUTOBL2014 • Daily theme structure (color coded) • Daily assignments • Risk losing 1 point
- 5. Purpose of a Student Orientation LN
- 6. Student Interviews About Sakai Support Three students, summer 2013 • “Could we slim down the default course navigation?” • “… lost faith in ...tools because they were never used” • “... clicked on folders which were in fact empty” • “Instructors don’t use the tools in the same way” • “Instructors don’t communicate in Sakai very well” All three suggested instructor-led orientation to how Sakai would be used in their course.
- 7. Applicable Quality Matters Standards • 1.1 Instructions make clear how to get started and where to find various course components. • 1.2 Students are introduced to the purpose and structure of the course. • 1.7 The self-introduction by the instructor is appropriate and available online. • 1.8 Students are asked to introduce themselves to the class.
- 8. Student Orientation to Course • Consider including: • How to log into the course • Online Getting Started guide • “Walk” through the sequence of weekly/unit activities • Point out syllabus, assignments, resource materials, how to find grades, where to turn in assignments, etc. • Address technology issues early-on • create low risk assignments using these tools • Where to get help (crowd-sourced discussion topic) • What activities are most efficient in face-to face environment? • What parts can be accomplished effectively online?
- 9. Instructor and Student Introductions • What is the goal for the introductions? • Why will participants be working together? • Are there different pathways to the same goal? • Can pathways include elements related to course material? • What instructions will be provided? • If online, then how are introductions blended and transitioned with face-to-face? Image from: http://designerlessons.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/success-kid-first-day-of-school.jpg
- 11. Course Homepage • Purpose • Landing page • Functions as road map • Directions, first steps • Syllabus • Textbook • Announcements • Navigation
- 12. Course Homepage • Purpose • Landing page • Functions as road map • Directions, first steps • Syllabus • Textbook • Announcements • Navigation • Student perspective • First impression • Is this class hard? • Is this instructor hard? • Do I really need to buy a textbook?
- 13. Course Homepage Components • Ideal course homepage • Who (instructor) • What (course) • When (dates) • Where (locations) • Why (learning outcomes, objectives) • How (steps) • ...and Creative (personal)
- 14. Course Homepage Components Who, What Example: Hi! My name is Steve Sosa and I will be your fearless leader this semester. I’ve been at PLU for 23 years now and... Purpose of This Course EDU 395 - Educational Technology exists to combine sound teaching principles with appropriate tools. Through this course, we will build... The course is broken up into three sections...
- 15. Course Homepage Components When, Where, How Example: Let’s Get Started! Our first class is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 2. Before that time, please complete the following: 1. Click on the “Start Here” link in the top-left navigation menu. 2. Download the syllabus and familiarize yourself with learning outcomes, policies, and required material (such as textbook, software, and computer access). 3. Post a personal introduction via the Week 1 forum, that covers: i. Name, degree and personal interest in this subject
- 16. Example as Welcome Message Hi! My name is Steve Sosa and I will be your fearless leader this semester. I’ve been at PLU for 23 years now and... Purpose of This Course EDU 395 - Educational Technology exists to combine sound teaching principles with appropriate tools. Through this course, we will build... The course is broken up into three sections... Let’s Get Started! Our first class is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 2. Before that time, please do the following: 1. Click on the “Start Here” link in the top-left navigation menu. 2. Download the syllabus and familiarize yourself with learning outcomes, policies, and required material (such as textbook, software, and computer access). 3. Post a personal introduction via the Week 1 forum, that covers: a. Name, degree and personal interest in this subject
- 17. Quality Matters Overview & Introduction Hi! My name is Steve Sosa and I will be your fearless leader this semester. I’ve been at PLU for 23 years now and... Purpose of This Course EDU 395 - Educational Technology exists to combine sound teaching principles with appropriate tools. Through this course, we will build... The course is broken up into three sections... Let’s Get Started! Our first class is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 2. Before that time, please do the following: 1. Click on the “Start Here” link in the top-left navigation menu. 2. Download the syllabus and familiarize yourself with learning outcomes, policies, and required material (such as textbook, software, and computer access). 3. Post a personal introduction via the Week 1 forum, that covers: a. Name, degree and personal interest in this subject 1.1 1.2 1.3, 1.4 1.7 1.8
- 18. Just a Single Announcement..? • Form is not important • Could be: • Site info, announcement, discussion forum, video • Focus should be QM standards 1.1-1.8 • Let Instructional Technologies focus on LMS • Quick starts • Videos
- 19. Student Orientation to Lessons LN
- 20. Lesson Page Orientation & Organization • Introduction to topic • How to prepare for class • Instructions for week • reading • assignments • discussions • quizzes • deadlines • Embedded multimedia • Supplemental reading
- 21. Exemplar
- 23. External Resources Covered in other PLUTO sessions: • External resources • Student services • Technical assistance Bad Example: • PLU Help Desk Better Example: • The Help Desk at PLU provides support for Google Apps, Sakai, Microsoft Office, and basic computer operation.
- 24. External Resources QM Learner Support & Accessibility Standards • 7.1 Technical support offered • 7.2 Link to accessibility services • 7.3 Academic support services • 7.4 Student support services • 8.1 Technology accommodation
- 25. External Resources New! • Link to Student Support Resource Map (via Sakai)
- 26. Activity: QM Homepage Challenge 10 Minutes SS
- 27. QM Homepage Challenge • Task • Design course homepage which meets as many QM standards as possible • Teams • Sorted by table • Tools • QM Standards • Sticky posters • Post-its • Sharpies • Timing • Creating = 5 Min • Reporting = 5 Min
- 28. Thanks, Dana Z.!
- 29. Next Steps LN
- 30. Next Steps • Prepare for tomorrow’s session • Lesson page mockup • Bring documents for unit you’ve created so far