Starting the Conversation… Theoretically
With the current transition to Canvas at UTA, now is an excellent time to examine your online or blended courses – or to jump in if you have never taught online. This session is the first of many to examine emerging and existing issues in online learning. The process of designing online or blended online/face-to-face courses often focuses on the methodology of taking certain steps to produce a product (the course). However – what if you looked at learning as an experience for student success more than a place run by a person constrained by specific designs? This session took a look at a free online resource published by Mavs Open Press called Creating Online Learning Experiences. This Open Educational Resource aims to be a handbook that explores many of the issues and concepts related to putting courses online for new and experienced instructors. This first session examined how new theories and ideas that shape online learning are changing and challenging traditional notions of “distance education.” Future sessions will springboard off of ideas explored in this first session.
Next in this series: What are Effective Practices?
Dr. Matt Crosslin
Matt Crosslin, Ph.D. is a Learning Innovation Researcher with the LINK Research Lab. Matt’s current research activities focus on learning theory, innovation, learner empowerment, and learning analytics. Matt holds a Ph.D. in Learning Technologies from the University of North Texas, a Master of Education in Educational Technology from UT Brownsville, and a Bachelors of Science in Education from Baylor University. His research interests include instructional design, learning pathways, sociocultural theory, heutagogy, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and open networked learning. He has a background in instructional design and teaching at both the secondary and university levels and has been an active blogger and conference presenter. He also enjoys networking and collaborative efforts involving faculty, students, administration, and anyone involved in the education process. Before coming to UTA, he worked in innovative learning centers as well as forward thinking education companies that looked to expand the limits of formal and informal learning.
This event was sponsored by the Center for Research on Teaching and Learning Excellence and the LINK Research Lab:
It occurred on June 19, from 12:00 until 1:00 pm, in the LINK Research Lab (246 Nedderman Hall). The session archive can be found below.
Presentation Resources:
- Session Presentation Slides (PDF)
- Creating Online Learning Experiences (book)
- Course / Lesson / Activity Design Analysis Worksheet (Word doc)
- Course / Lesson / Activity Design Analysis Worksheet (PDF form)