Qualities of Successful Online Learners

The Illinois Online Network has posted a wonderful list of qualities that online learners should possess. Certainly not all students who have these qualities will be successful in an online class. Nor does it mean that a student who does not have these qualities will be unable to succeed. But it is a good starting point.

I think that all of us need to provide as much information as possible to students considering online learning.

OER Commons Project

If you are looking for a digital learning objects repository, check out the OER Commons project. Open Educational Resources content is free to use. Faculty can use material posted and share with their students. Content can also be contributed to the OER Commons. This and other similar repositories are wonderful ways to find material for classes without having to create content.

Elluminate Training

Elluminate training will begin next week for faculty and staff. I believe this software package will be welcomed by faculty looking to hold online synchronous instruction and virtual office hours. Staff will find the tool helpful for collegewide meetings without having to travel up and down the county.

If you haven't registered for training, check out the May-June schedule. July dates are listed in PDS.

Mentoring Quality

MarylandOnline (MOL) has announced a pilot program designed to support online instructors in the early stages of their online teaching careers. The program is called Mentoring Quality (MQ) and focuses on the delivery aspects of online teaching and learning. Mentoring, coaching, tutoring, advising, etc. are the cornerstones of MQ and will be effected through a mentor/mentee relationship. A single novice online instructor (mentee) will be paired with a single experienced online instructor (mentor) in the pilot phase of MQ.

The MQ pilot program is due to begin in the Fall 2009 semester. For the pilot program the selection of mentors and mentees alike will come from the ranks of online instructors at MOL institutions.

There is an application to be completed. Anyone who is interested can contact me and I will provide the necessary forms.

Welcome

Hello and welcome to a blog dedicated to distance learning at Montgomery College. I will be providing information about professional development opportunities, interesting articles and tips to improve student engagement.