 Not all strategies listed below will be appropriate for every course. Try to implement a couple of the strategies suggested in each interaction category in your online distance learning course.
Learner-to-Content Interaction
• Content that is presented primarily in one format, such as video, audio, or text, tends to require many students to learn in a format that does not meet their learning style.
• Provide a mixture of delivery formats to meet multiple learning styles, such as combining text lectures with video clips.
• A survey of distance learning students in April 2007 indicated that they prefer text-based content with video and/or audio clips mixed in, followed by PowerPoint and video files that combine graphics, text, and voice narration. All these formats address more than one learning style.
• Delivering content in multiple formats provides variety and eliminates monotony.
• Encourage students participate in online simulations.
• Simulations allow students to actively engage with the content.
• Locate existing simulations online or obtain them from publishers.
• Create your own simulations. To discuss options for creating, contact the ATC simulations.
• Provide online resources links that allow students to explore the topic in more depth.
• Links to web-based materials allow students to browse and delve into content that interests them the most. They can use your links to branch off to other information sources.
• For access to guest lecturers and field experts, use audio and video clips.
• Use these clips to provide an expert perspective on the topic, other than your own.
• Use synchronous web conferencing for class events, such as guest speakers and student presentations.
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