Online Learning Resources 1

Jarron Hutchins

Kennesaw State University

ITEC 7482

March 6, 2017
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Online learning is truly the future of education. When online learning is properly

facilitated, the students are placed in an environment that is conducive to their individual

learning styles. As an online educator, one of the most important aspects is developing

an engaging environment that allows the students to gain new knowledge in a variety of

methods. Online educators must have a multitude of tools to utilize and best meet the

needs of all students. The International Association of K-12 Online Learning

Organization (iNACOL) provides educators a list of technology tools that can help to

support an online environment. The tools are a great resource to aid teachers in the

creation of a student-centered learning environment. After educators are equipped with

tools it is also important that they understand other aspects of creating a successful

online environment. The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) gives great

examples of exemplary online educators providing novice online teachers advice on

creating a productive online environment. The exemplary educators provide great focus

points for successful online education. As a teacher that is new to facilitating online

environments, it is critical that I build my list of resources and identify smaller focus

areas to help my students understand the content and have a successful online

experience.

Online learning can be a transformative experience for students. The students

can learn information in different ways and gain a better understanding of how to utilize

their newfound knowledge. Students can also receive different benefits through online

learning that would not be commonly present in a traditional classroom setting. For

example, some online tools allow for students to have instant feedback as they learn

new information. Courses can be specifically altered for a student as he/she completes
Online Learning Resources 3

assignments. In a traditional classroom setting, students typically learn in a large group

setting and complete independent practice. The personalized aspect of online learning

allows students and educators to address needs that may not be seen in a whole class

approach. In order for an online course to address the needs of all students, it is

imperative that educators find resources that can meet the needs of the student and

help to progress the students knowledge. My focus as an online educator will be to

continuously look for online resources that will effectively educate my students.

The International Association of K-12 Online Learning Organization (iNACOL)

provides a comprehensive list and explanation of various web tools that benefit a variety

of students. The list includes different tools that benefit a variety of activities and can

help to foster an online learning environment. The list also explains how the tools can

be used and helps to give a detailed explanation of the uses of the tools. Each tool has

a specific section on the list and is grouped based on the usage of the tool. The tools

range from videos to timeline creation resources. One of my greatest concerns is being

able to provide students with the tools that facilitate their learning. A student-centered

environment can only be successful if online educators are able to meet the needs of

each individual student. My ideal online environment provides the students with a

multitude of resources that allow the students to show their learning in a wide

assortment of ways. My concern of gaining more tools will be a continuous endeavor

that will never end. Online educators should continuously seek different methods and

resources that benefit their students.

SREB also offers another source of support through their article, Confessions of

the NOTYs: How Technology Helps Teachers Succeed. The article addresses the
Online Learning Resources 4

methods that a collection of National Online Teachers of the Year have used to become

successful in their online environments. The teachers explain many of the finer points of

online classes that must be developed in order for the students to experience a

successful online environment. For example, the article states, Having strong individual

relationships with students helps the NOTYs build a foundation for learning (p.3). As a

teacher my first thought goes directly to instruction and being able to utilize the tools to

best meet the needs of the students. This approach is solid, but it should not be the

starting point of the online experience. Teachers must get to know their students first to

truly address their needs and to build a community of learners. The article discusses a

variety of crucial information that helped the National Online Teachers of the Year

become successful in an online environment. The topics are wide ranging and include

parent contact, differentiation, course design and many other elements that help

students to succeed in an online environment.

Online teaching seems very beneficial to the students, but is slightly frightening

for me. There are a plethora of different skills that must be mastered to teach a

successful online course. My only worry is that I may not be prepared for the many

tasks that online teaching requires. As a classroom teacher I am tasked with doing

many of these same requirements, but I have the luxury of actually seeing the students

everyday and building a relationship through our daily interactions and natural time

spent together. The same luxury is not afforded to online educators. The resources that

I have found on iNACOL and SREB address the majority of my concerns, but I have

always found that reading about successful teaching is often different than actual

implementing successful instruction and environments.

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The resources placed on the websites were great tools to utilize for online

teachers. The tools addressed different concerns about online teaching. The iNACOL

website enlightened me on the many tools that are available for online instruction. While

the SREB resource helped me to identify the important aspects of successful online

education from the viewpoint of a collection of National Online Teachers of the Year.

Both websites are great resources, but my concerns cannot be alleviated until I have

had the experience personally. The resources are a great start, but they are just the

beginning of an exciting teaching journey.

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References

Canmarcotte Follow. (2014, February 26). ICE 2014, iPadeology: Staff and Student

Resources for iPad Deployment. Retrieved March 06, 2017, from

https://www.slideshare.net/canmarcotte/ipadeology-staff-and-student-resources-for-

ipad-deployment?next_slideshow=1

Southern Regional Education Board. (n.d.). Retrieved March 06, 2017, from

http://www.sreb.org/publication/confessions-notys-how-technology-helps-

teachers-succeed