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<P><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><FONT color=#0000ff>Collaborative Learning in
Asynchronous Learning Networks: Building Learning Communities<SPAN
class=280470513-11032006> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT><A
href="http://web.njit.edu/~hiltz/collaborative_learning_in_asynch.htm"><FONT
face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>http://web.njit.edu/~hiltz/collaborative_learning_in_asynch.htm</FONT></A></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>Invited Address at "WEB98"
Orlando Florida November 1998<SPAN class=280470513-11032006>, </SPAN>Starr
Roxanne Hiltz, New Jersey Institute of Technology<SPAN class=280470513-11032006>
</SPAN>Copyright, 1998</FONT></FONT></P><B>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>ABSTRACT</FONT></B><FONT
face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2>One of the potential negative
effects of online courses is a loss of social relationships and of the sense of
community that is usually present on a traditional campus. Evidence is presented
that collaborative learning strategies, which require relatively small classes
or groups actively mentored by an instructor, are necessary in order for
Web-based courses to be as effective as traditional classroom
courses. </FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
<P><FONT><FONT><SPAN class=280470513-11032006></SPAN><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2>_<SPAN
class=280470513-11032006>_______________________</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN
class=280470513-11032006>Here is a paper for beginners to online teaching that
emphasizes the importance of the different roles of the instructor in online
teaching, and the importance of the learning community. I have read studies that
compare learning online to face-to-face learning, so I know they are out there.
At the time this was written the information was inconclusive. From my
understanding a well designed and delivered online course is as effective as a
face-to-face course when best practices in course design and delivery are
implemented. The online learning deliver must incorporated the strengths of the
medium which are the collaborative learning aspects. Clear directions, and
continual monitoring and feedback from teacher to student, and student to
student interaction is part of a well designed learning environment.
Instructors who employ constructivist learning theory promote learning
which in my view and others that is equal if not superior to :sage on the stage"
kind of lecture, notes test of
face-to-face.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=280470513-11032006>The problem as I see it is that institutions are in
too quick to buy software, assign instructors to teach without the
necessary training and regular evaluation of faculty on best
practices. I've been teaching online now since 1998. I started by training
myself. Luckily for me I had a mentor who'd built his own online software
and was writing his dissertation on collaborative learning in an online
environment. My first attempt was was to Dr. Chorost's software
as an online component in my face-to-face class. His software The
Collaboration Center at University of Texas, Austin [Mike Chorost, 1998] and the
constructivist learning theory of teaching gave me a chance to see how my
students learned face to face versus how they learned in the class
room. </SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=280470513-11032006>Right away it was clear that those students who sit in
the back of the room and say nothing now had a voice in the class. Remember at
this time most students were computer illiterate and much of what I did was to
teach them how to fill in a form online, get an email address, use a discussion
board in a scholarly manner and search the WWW. I still have to teach
students how to discuss topics in a scholarly manner at the beginning of
each term, so the the dialogue is more than a chat. Having had this opportunity
to observe students learn and see the improved quality and quantitative of
peer to peer dialogue as well as total class participation added a dimension to
online learning I hadn't anticipated nor experienced in the face-to-face class
room. This is clearly the strength of online learning, the teacher facilitated
peer-to-peer interaction. This requires some change of teaching strategies and
some instructors need training in how to do this. Students need training also,
as they take on new roles and become more active rather than passive
learners. Students become mentors, and collaborative learners, and
instructors become facilitators learning to ask higher level questions and let
go of some of the control they are used to. Students will surprise you when you
give them a voice. Often their replies would have been what I would have said in
a discussion, and when I've waited and not jumped in to reply a student has done
so very effectively. Clearly creating an online learning community where
students aren't afraid to express their views, ask questions, and share their
knowledge and have a little fun doing it is essential to success in an online
classroom. </SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=280470513-11032006></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN class=280470513-11032006>The weaknesses as I
see online learning is that it is predominately a read write kind of
environment. The challenge is to integrate other technology when possible.This
is where Mia's work is essential. Mia is creating the interactive Media that is
essential to support a well designed and structured learning environment. I
accomplish this integration now using WebCT and Blackboard software,
and by using textbooks that come with CD's, and companion websites that offer
visual and auditory components, adding websites that have interactive
learning components such as tutorials, practices quizzes, audio vocabulary, and
flash games. </SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=280470513-11032006>Another weakness I believe is that some learners are
not mature and responsible enough yet for this method of learning which requires
more time on task, and more discipline, and the individual must be highly
motivated to learn. For adult learners, motivated to learn online
learning can be very effective, comparable to face to face learning in my
view when the an instructor is trained in online course delivery and
effective learning theory. It is important at the start of any online learning
experience to give the students an opportunity to discuss the difference, and
share their experience in face-to-face and online courses. Often the experienced
online learners give helpful advise to the newbies and the mentoring and
community building needed for promoting quality online learning and
positive experiences for students begins at this
time.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=280470513-11032006></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN class=280470513-11032006> Now language
teaching is new to me, so I'd advise those wanting to teach language online to
talk to others doing so. I'm sure that online teaching best practices will apply
and that there may be other things that I'm not aware of and I hope that those
on this list will share best practices in the teaching of language online. I
offer a few questions,</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=280470513-11032006>When teaching across large geographic areas with few
resources what are your alternatives? <BR>How can online delivery enhance and
promote revitalization even if it has
weaknesses?<BR></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN class=280470513-11032006>What are the strengths
and weakness experienced by those teaching and learning at a
distance now?<BR>What are the barriers to implementing language
learning at a distance?<BR>What are the advantages to implementing learning
at a distance?</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=280470513-11032006>Jan<BR> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><A
href="http://web.njit.edu/~hiltz/collaborative_learning_in_asynch.htm"></A></FONT> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> Indigenous Languages and
Technology [mailto:ILAT@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU]<B>On Behalf Of </B>Andre
Cramblit<BR><B>Sent:</B> Monday, March 06, 2006 4:43 PM<BR><B>To:</B>
ILAT@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU<BR><B>Subject:</B> [ILAT] Info
Request<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>The Karuk Tribe received an ANA language
grant and we are searching for information on <SPAN><FONT
class=Apple-style-span face=Verdana>teaching indigenous languages through
distance education.</FONT></SPAN><FONT class=Apple-style-span
face=Verdana></FONT>
<DIV><FONT class=Apple-style-span face=Verdana><BR
class=khtml-block-placeholder></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT class=Apple-style-span face=Verdana>What are best practices,
softwares, systems, models etc</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT class=Apple-style-span face=Verdana><BR
class=khtml-block-placeholder></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT class=Apple-style-span face=Verdana>also what has not
worked?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT class=Apple-style-span face=Verdana><BR></FONT>
<DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px"><FONT style="FONT: 12px Times" face=Times
size=3>.:. </FONT></P>
<P style="MIN-HEIGHT: 14px; MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Times"><BR></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px"><FONT style="FONT: 12px Times" face=Times size=3>André
Cramblit: andre.p.cramblit.86@alum.dartmouth.org is the Operations Director
Northern California Indian Development Council NCIDC (<A
href="http://www.ncidc.org">http://www.ncidc.org</A>) is a non-profit that
meets the development needs of American Indians</FONT></P>
<P style="MIN-HEIGHT: 14px; MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Times"><BR></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px"><FONT style="FONT: 12px Times" face=Times size=3>To
subscribe to a news letter of interest to Natives send an email to:
IndigenousNewsNetwork-subscribe@topica.com or go to: <A
href="http://www.topica.com/lists/IndigenousNewsNetwork/subscribe/?location=listinfo">http://www.topica.com/lists/IndigenousNewsNetwork/subscribe/?location=listinfo</A></FONT></P>
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