DLA2009 Presentation S Porto

Beyond Instruction: building sustainable student online communities

Dr. Stella Porto Master of Distance Education Graduate School of Management & Technology University of Maryland University College

Agenda

•  Focus of this presentation •  Introduction

  Student support in distance education   Context & background

•  The evolution of the MDE online community   Our timeline & corollary projects   Lessons learned   Synergy and future

•  Final remarks

Focus of this presentation

“As distance education has evolved from a teacher-centric to a much more learner-centric model, the roles and activities instructors and other learner support providers have changed to being more proactive than reactive” (Brindley et al., 2004, p.9)

The lack of campus life imposes difficulty in keeping students and graduates connected beyond the ties of the online classroom. Building virtual communities in a sustainable way is the focus of this presentation.

Introduction: Student Support in Distance Education

•  Necessary shift from a campus based perspective   Needs go beyond those addressed in individual courses

•  Focus on the needs of this specific target audience   Part-time   Full-time employment   Family duties   Long time away from school   Diverse academic and professional background

•  Learning communities cultivate a blend of challenge and support

•  Counter act feelings of isolation   Supporting network   Feeling of belonging

Introduction: Context & Background – MDE is a partnership

Context and landscape Oldenburg

Context and landscape Oldenburg

Introduction: Context & background: the program

•  Core competencies   Managing the DE system in a

variety of settings   Planning, budgeting,

development, delivery, and support of distance education and distance training programs

•  Target Audience   Potential managers of the

distance education enterprise in:   Educational organizations   Corporate / Business   Government & Military   Non-profit and associations

•  Entirely online for part-time working adults

•  International •  Collaborative

Faculty Support

Instruction Design & Support

Leaders & Managers

Higher Education

Media & technology

Corporate Training & Learning

Distance Education

Introduction: Institutional Student support

•  Enrollment management / Registrar   Admissions   Financial aid   Registration   Advising   Graduation

•  Portal with self-services •  Academic specialist within the

department •  Program director •  Library •  Office of disabilities

The evolution of the MDE online community: timeline

First trial… Using a course shell as a community environment

The evolution of the MDE online community: timeline

Second addition: Alumni network through C3L-Oldenburg… … just alumni

The evolution of the MDE online community: timeline

New addition…The MDE Blog • One-stop-shop for all MDE related information • One-way communication - no interaction

The evolution of the MDE online community: timeline

Third trial… The MDE-lounge • Real interaction • Privacy, listserv mode, discussion board, simple and not-invasive

The evolution of the MDE online community: corollary

New developments… The Faculty-forum • Management effectiveness • Privacy, listserv mode, discussion board, simple and not-invasive

The evolution of the MDE online community: corollary

New developments… The MDE wiki on new technologies • Knowledge-base • Information sharing • Meta-learning

The evolution of the MDE online community: corollary

New developments… The MDE capstone wiki • Support for final capstone • Information sharing • Direct relationship with instruction

The evolution of the MDE online community: corollary

New developments… The MDE orientation • Workshop with direct instructor-led support • Information sharing • Direct support to instruction

The evolution of the MDE online community: corollary

New developments… The MDE internship program • Getting your feet wet as a distance educator • Supporting the program • Engaging in action research

The evolution of the MDE online community: corollary

New developments… The MDE buddy-system • Peer-support • Student initiative • Action research project

The evolution of the MDE online community: corollary

New developments… Presence in social networks • Connections with graduates and prospective students • Marketing

The evolution of the MDE online community: corollary

New developments… The MDE Itinerant video project • Graduate initiative • Celebration • Community involvement

Lessons learned

 There is a need for an active moderator  Continuously invite community

 Reach out to new students  Most participants are lurkers  Coupling blog posts to listserv

 A few active members generate significant impact  Being personal is key  Ongoing projects and activities

Synergy and future

 Projects led by graduates  Relationship with other UMUC units  Partnerships in publishing and academic work

 Virtual conference for 10th anniversary celebration  Podcast series  Webinars  Special interest groups

Final remarks

 Thinking beyond the classroom  Enthusiasm is contagious  Experiment, experiment and experiment…  Count on your graduates and students  Networking is essential to everyone for different reasons

Questions?

Contact: sporto@umuc.edu http://www.slideshare.net/sporto/dla2009-presentation-s-porto

The Master of Distance Education Present - Curriculum

Core

DE Foundations: systems view, technology, online teaching & learning, costing and student support

Technology

Leadership Instructional Design

Multimedia Globalization & Development

Advanced Technologies Internet Technologies

Teaching & Training

Instructional Design Library & Copyright

Assessment Multimedia

Distance Training Virtual K-12

Policy & Management

Leadership DE Systems

Library & Copyright Assessment DE Business

Globalization & Development

Capstone : E-portfolio & Research Project