Module 6: Reading 1

Finding a Place for Everyone: Online Course Development for Internship with an Online Media Source Uniting Multiple Sensory Engagement of Learning in a Larger Community. (Khalsa, 2001).

Some thoughts on comparison of assessment techniques from Casey's journalism class to the Khalsa class.

An important aspect of cybercoaching is creating community. Khalsa (2001) maintains that the combination of technology and online coursework, and applied learning connected to future life plans, connects the learner to the community and the community to the learner. Although the Casey course includes authentic learning, it is missing the aspect of creating community, and the techniques of cybercoaching.

In “Finding a Place for Everyone”, Khalsa states that “An optimal online learning community evolves by providing opportunities for growth beyond the confines of the virtual classroom”. Students need the opportunity to actively apply their learning, and as students put their learning into practice, they receive acknowledgement and feedback from the “larger community”. When a student is interested in an area of learning, and the learning is applied, transformation or an altering of world view and willingness to change behavior, is sought. This will allow students to develop the abilities which can move them towards their goals.(Kaipa, 1999)

Other techniques of cybercoaching mentioned in the Khalsa course include choice of learning pathway, and pre-course and interview surveys, designed to bring understanding to students and instructors regarding the students’ learning. Encouragement and support are offered to the students. This takes place through email, a virtual office, discussion threads, chat, instant messaging and f to f meetings as necessary. Further community building is the result of diversity built into the course. Project-based learning, collaborative learning, individual pacing, and enhanced feedback are techniques used. Students survey their individual learning style preferences and a multi-sensory approach is used to expand learners’ styles.

Feedback and reflection are hallmarks of the community building process. Students in my online courses use journals to reflect upon their learnings. I also employ project-based learning. I would like to do more collaborative learning and give more feedback and encouragement. I also intend to use the pre-course survey I have developed, which I think it is an excellent tool.