E-learning Strategies

An online student is expected to be able to:

• participate in the virtual classroom 5 days a week
• work with others in completing projects
• use the technology properly
• meet the minimum standards as set forth by the institution
• complete assignments on time
• enjoy communicating
  

Effective Communication

Communication varies depending on the environment in which the learner exists. Three components that need to be considered when communicating are tone, purpose and audience.

• The choice of words conveys the tone and tone brings a response.
• The purpose of the communication is another consideration. Purpose will affect your text structure (how your information is organized).
• Audience is who your communication is directed at. Think about your audience as you choose your words (tone).

Different types of digital environments have different communication protocols. The two environments that will be referred to are social networks and public digital environments, such as Facebook, Twitter and texting, and closed learning management systems, such as Moodle. Communication in both of these environments can be synchronous  or asynchronous.

The following table compares and contrasts the communication protocols and the roles of relationships in different digital environments.

Environment Communication Type	Social Networking	e-Learning
Synchronous	Facebook - online chat	Blackboard Collaborate, Skype classtimes
Asynchronous	Facebook - wall post	Moodle - posts, assignments submission, email Blackboard Collaborate, Skype help sessions

Enjoy communicating by reading and writing

Reading and writing are the main ways you'll communicate in an online class.

Be able to think ideas through before responding.

Meaningful and quality input into the virtual classroom is an essential part of the learning process. Time is given in the process to allow for the careful consideration of responses. The testing and challenging of ideas is encouraged; you will not always be right, just be prepared to accept a challenge.

Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of the learning process.

The learning process requires the student to make decisions based on facts as well as experience. Assimilating information and executing the right decisions requires critical thought; case analysis does this very effectively.