CO11: Effective Practices in E-Learning by Amy Tucker & Heather Wisla 

About the Class

Effective Practices in E-Learning: An Online Instructor and Learner’s Perspective by Amy Tucker and Heather Wisla

Amy Tucker has over four years of progressive experience teaching in blended learning environments at Thompson Rivers University. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts, Post-Baccalaureate in Business, Provincial Instructor's Diploma, Master of Arts, and working towards a Doctorate of Social Sciences. Amy has over 10 years of industry experience in the education and training field. Her research interests are on adult learning theories, online social interaction, cultural diversity, and blended learning formats.

E-learning has become a key factor in higher education around the globe, yet institutions still struggle with the social dynamic relationships between the online instructor and learner. The literature has provided a comprehensive overview of current practices in e-learning that, typically, include the following: the roles of the instructor and learner, addressing learning styles in an online learning environment, effective practices, instructional and evaluation methodologies, and approaches to instructional design. Although the research has provided suggestions on how to communicate with learners using Web 2.0 technologies, the question remains, how do online teachers and learners socially recognize, identify, and connect with each other in a dynamic learning environment?

The purpose of this presentation is to examine the effective practices of e-learning from an online instructor and learner perspective. The context of this presentation will focus on a traditional university campus that provides both face-to-face and open learning (online, print design, and blended formats) in western Canada. Specifically, it will provide a literature review, personal observations, and shared examples from online and face-to-face instructors and learners. The findings of this presentation will enable practitioners to increase, strengthen, and enhance social relationships between the learner and the online instructor. Finally, continuing challenges and guidelines for online instructors will be presented and discussed.

Integrating Technology for Active Life-long Learning
CO11 on IT4ALL Moodle & WiZiQ
Feb 4-6, 2011

Welcome to the annual connecting online live online conference (CO11). You are cordially invited to participate at the live online conference on the weekend of Feb 4-6 2011.

The conference will be of interest to educators, administrators, students, and community members who value the importance of integrating technology into the curriculum to improve instruction and learning. Online learning involves various skills on the part of the instructor and learner. These include social and communication skills, social networking, independent learning strategies, critical and higher order thinking skills, creativity, and effective online and face-to-face facilitation. In addition, there are may challenges that the educators, administrators, students, and community members face.

The CO11 will be conducted on IT4ALL Moodle with the presentations on WiZiQ through the Moodle.

The themes for the presentations are:

1. Connecting Online to Improve Instruction and Learning: Online Learning and Instructional Experience


2. Experiences with technology in face-to-face and online classes. What worked and what didn't work for you?

   Language of instruction: English

   Keywords: effective e-learning, e-learning