A New Pedagogy is Emerging… and Online Learning is a Key Contributing Factor
The compilation of postings and examples from Contact North | Contact Nord’s Pockets of Innovation Series illustrate how applications of technology continue to expand teaching, learning and assessment.
- Seven key developments in online learning and how they impact our understanding of pedagogy;
- More than 60 examples of applications of these developments in innovations in colleges and universities in Ontario, across Canada, and internationally, selected from Contact North | Contact Nord’s Pockets of Innovations Series on teachonline.ca; and
- Seven questions for you to consider about the implications of changes in pedagogy and student learning.
This website was developed by John Robertson & Cindy Strong in the context of a course being offered at Seattle Pacific University. But like anything like this, it depends on the strength of the contributions. And it has attracted an interesting assortment thus far. Why not add your own contribution?
This MOOC was recently run by the Canadian connectivist and NRC researcher Stephen Downes. He is planning a re-run in 2019. If you are curious about the next generation learning of technology, you should start browsing the assembled resources, the interactions of the participants and related video conversations with experts in the fields of philosophy, technology, media and education.
Leaders and Legends of Online Learning
A series of podcasts created by Dr. Mark Nichols, until recently at the U.K. Open University, but who has now returned to New Zealand. The aim is to have a mix of new or emerging online leaders and some of the more hard-bitten old timers reflect on the development of online learning, needed research, and current trends. So far the compilation of interviews counts 8 interesting education players, including the examples below:
Dr. Antonio Teixeira, Universidade Aberta (the Portuguese Open University)
Dr. Alan Tait, UK Open University
Dr. Tannis Morgan, BCcampus and Justice Institute of British Columbia
Dr. Tony Bates, online learning theorist and professor eremitus
Making Digital Learning Work.
The report by the Bostong Consulting Group/ Arizona State University states that digital teaching can result in equivalent or improved student learning outcomes, faster time to degree completion, improved access, particularly for disadvantaged students and a better return on investment. Yes, you’ve read right. The research the results are based on involved 6 major players in the online teaching arena. However, for all these benefits to be accomplished, the report emphasizes the necessity of a major cultural change in the way faculty and instructors approach teaching as indicated by the following:
- holistic program planning involving all instructors, instructional designers and probably students as well
- careful advanced planning, and following best practices, including project management and learning design
- focusing as much on the development of skills as delivering content
- identifying the unique ‘affordances’ of face-to-face teaching and online learning: there is no general formula for this but it will require discussion and input from both content experts and learning designers on a course by course basis
- systematic evaluation and monitoring of hybrid learning course designs, so best (and poor) practices can be identified
Bailey, A. et al (2018). Making Digital Learning Work. Boston: MA: The Boston Consulting Group/ Arizona State University. Retrieved from https://edplus.asu.edu/sites/default/files/BCG-Making-Digital-Learning-Work-Apr-2018%20.pdf
MUST READS on ONLINE LEARNING as suggested by Contact North
10 Ways to help your OL Learners Succeed
