Technology And Online Learning 2
TECHNOLOGY AND ONLINE LEARNING
Principles of Online Learning and Instructional Strategies
Introduction
Online learning is a style of education delivered via the Internet. Online learning can be
offered fully remote or as a hybrid method and is housed through a Learning Management
System (LMS). The purpose of online learning is to ensure that learners have the necessary skills
to stay afloat in the 21st Century. Online learning requires a person to be a self-directed motivator
who knows how to overcome obstacles and has positive communication skills. Online learning
objectives are to provide students and teachers with a state-approved curriculum while studying
at their own pace, in the convenience of being at home. To stay ahead of today ever evolving
world, educators need to master skills such as critical thinking, communication, creativity,
collaboration, good citizenship, and self-efficiency to be successful while teaching in the online
environment. Teachers need to know how to use distance learning tools to provide successful
teaching to all students. Professional Development training is offered to teachers to keep them
updated with current technologies.
Principles of Online Learning.
The pandemic outbreak that occurred in March 2020 changed the way educational
institutions led teaching activities. Health protocols made teaching face-to-face difficult. Strict
protocols were enforced which led face-to face learning to fade out while online learning became
the new normal throughout the world. Online learning has transitioned to be the number one
style of teaching to meet educational needs of students. In the article, “Elucidating Experiences
of Faculty Members in Applying Effective Teaching Strategies in the Online Class during the
COVID-19: A Qualitative Study.” A qualitative study analysis was done on all instructors to test
Technology And Online Learning 3
training in the online environment to explain faculty members’ experiences applying effective
strategies in online class teaching. This study included 14 faculty members working at the Shiraz
University of Medical Sciences. Instructors who were experienced with online training were
selected for the study. This study found that appropriate teaching strategies in an online
environment led to higher attention spans, deeper student learning, and higher participation, it
motivates learners to be self-motivated and improves teacher interaction. Studies proved building
proper design, planning, and prioritization of online learning leads to successful teaching. The
results from the analysis show that two categories were obtained from the analysis to be effective
strategies in teaching and effective student learning; interpersonal communication of emotional
expression and flexibility to support behaviors linked to educational design, learner
encouragement, diversity, collaboration, and prompt feedback (Graneheim & Lundman (2004).
The challenge of delivering students effective knowledge has been solved by using technology-
based teaching strategies (Meng, W., & Dan-dan, L. (2022).
Online Instructional Strategy 1
According to the article “Collaborative development and evaluation of an online nursing
course. Distance Education, 24(1), 41-56,” Faculty are considered facilitators in the online
environment while students are perceived as self-directed. Teachers are to facilitate courses by
guiding students through content and using available resources through collaborative discussions
and providing feedback regularly. Self-directed students are known to hold characteristics of
online learning. Students are considered the focus of the environment. Effective online learning
is geared towards an instructional design model for online learning that is based on three types of
interaction: learner- content interaction; learner-instructor interaction; and learner-learner
interaction content of instruction that defines characteristics of education (Moore, 2001). Social
Technology And Online Learning 4
presence is another online learning design popular to teachers and students. Social Presence is
aligned to feel realistic to their instructors and satisfies the online course requirements
(Gunawardena & Zittle, 1997).
Online Instructional Strategy 2.
Institutions offering online courses should remember that students need technical support
on various technology applications, issues with accessing materials and help with setting up and
accessing accounts ((Harasimet al., 1995; Haughey & Anderson, 1998; Osborn, 2001). Ordering
books, registering for courses, and getting organized are all challenges for students. Teachers are
to provide resource materials such as a syllabus to guide students through setting up the required
tools needed to be successful in the classroom (Harasim et al., 1995). According to Harasim,
another effective teaching tool is to make sure all students understand how processes work in the
online environment. All students are required to take an orientation course to provide an
overview of content, required readings, books and an explanation of concepts, discussion boards,
and a brief biography of the teachers’ background and education. Providing external links has
shown to be the most effective online teaching strategy. This described methodology is to
encourage students to dig deeper into the subject’s information and topics by utilizing this
provided resource (Harasim et al (1995).
Conclusion
Online Learning is revolutionary and is here to stay. Online self- centered classrooms are
respected and in high demand. 21st century skills are required to stay proficient in today’s ever
revolving world. Critical thinking, communication, creativity, collaboration, good citizenship,
and self-efficiency are the tools needed for teachers and students to be successful while teaching
and learning in the online environment This article proves that teaching strategies in an online
Technology And Online Learning 5
environment led to higher attention spans, deeper student learning, and higher participation, it
motivates learners to be self-motivated and improves teacher interaction. Students are considered
the focus of the online environment. Effective online learning is geared towards an instructional
design model for online learning that is based on three types of interaction: learner- content
interaction; learner-instructor interaction; and learner-learner interaction content of instruction
that defines characteristics of education (Moore, 2001). Effective online teaching requires
teachers to model the flipped classroom style of learning. Teachers are to facilitate courses by
guiding students through content and using available resources through collaborative discussions
and providing fast feedback. Teachers are also to provide resource materials such as a syllabus to
guide students through setting up the required tools needed to be successful in their courses.
Traditional face-to-face learning does not work for all students and is fading away from
educational institutions. Scripture tells us that technology was used throughout the Bible from
the beginning to the end. In Genesis 6, Noah built the ARK using woodworking and engineering.
He used the help of skilled craftsman to help build it. Those skills are still examples of today’s
21st century skills.
Technology And Online Learning 6
References
Alexander, J. W., Polyakova-Norwood, V., Johnston, L. W., Christensen, P., & Loquist, R. S.
(2003). Collaborative development and evaluation of an online nursing course. Distance
Education, 24(1), 41-56. https://doi.org/10.1080/01587910303046
Meng, W., & Dan-dan, L. (2022). An effective blended online political teaching and learning
strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Commercial Biotechnology, 27(2),
57-66. https://doi.org/10.5912/jcb1066
Rezaei H, Ramezani G, Koohestani HR, Zazoly AZ, Taghavinia M, Shirazi MK, Ostovarfar M,
Baghcheghi N, Keshavarzi MH. Elucidating experiences of faculty members in applying
effective teaching strategies in the online class during the COVID-19: A qualitative
study. J Educ Health Promot. 2023 May 31; 12:177. Doi: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_787_22.
PMID: 37404904; PMCID: PMC10317269.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10317269/
Barton. B, Taylor. L., & Shumaker. T. (2010). The Holy Bible: [KJV]. Livingston., the
Publishing Services Division of Burton- Veerman Company. www.livingstoncorp.com
