Roles in Distance Education

Several roles in Distance Education have comparable titles to the traditional classroom, but that does not mean that they have the same job descriptions. This activity will help us to gain a better understanding of who is involved in the virtual classroom and their responsibilities in this new environment.

For this activity, you will read one article in each area, then work in your small group area. Within your small group area, discuss the articles and what you know about each role in the online environment. As a group, write a one paragraph job posting searching for someone with the characteristics necessary for each role. Each group will write a job posting for an online student, one for an online instructor, and one for an instructional designer. Once your group comes to consensus on your three descriptions, post each to the bulletin board in the appropriate area. As a class we will then discuss similarities or differences among the postings to determine what traits are needed in each of these roles.

Student (Student View Tab in WebCT6)

Red Group - Read "What Makes a Successful Online Student?" and then post your thoughts in your group area. http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/resources/tutorials/pedagogy/StudentProfile.asp

Blue Group - Read "Distance Education Readiness" and then post your thoughts in your group area.

Green Group - Read "What Every Student Should Know About Online Learning" and then post your thoughts in your group area.

Yellow Group - Read "Tips for Online Success" and then post your thoughts in your group area.

 

Instructor (Teach Tab in WebCT 6)

Red Group - Read "Role of the Online Instructor/Facilitator" and then post your thoughts in your group area.

Blue Group - Read "What Makes a Successful Online Facilitator?" and then post your thoughts in your group area.

Green Group - Read "Best Practices for Teaching Online " and then post your thoughts in your group area.

Yellow Group - Read "Elements of Instruction" and then post your thoughts in your group area.

 

Instructional Desinger (Build Tab in WebCT6)

Red Group - Read "The Role of Instructional Design in Development " and then post your thoughts in your group area.

Blue Group - Read "Teaching and Learning on the World Wide Web" and then post your thoughts in your group area.

Green Group - Read "Blended Learning " and then post your thoughts in your group area.

Yellow Group - Read "Alternatives to the Online Lecture" and then post your thoughts in your group area.

 

Administrator - Don Stitz is our WebCT administrator and as such will be someone that you will hear from and possibly need to contact during your time in the virtual world.