Download the supporting PDF file for this episode http://bit.ly/fhEFBn from the Learning to Teach Online project website.

Discussions are an important component of many forms of online student interaction. For students to benefit from an online discussion, it is important for teachers to generate relevant topics, effectively moderate student activity and participate regularly. This episode will highlight several strategies to help you manage online discussions more effectively, and make them more beneficial for your students.

Download the supporting PDF file for this episode http://bit.ly/f1v3iH from the Learning to Teach Online project website.

This case study examines the use of eBooks and eReaders as an extension of the usual Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS). This initiative was undertaken as part of the DUCKLING research project (Delivering University Curricula: Knowledge, Learning and Innovation Gains) conducted by the Beyond Distance Research Alliance at the University of Leicester in the UK.

While the context of this study involves distance students, using electronic books can have applications in any discipline where students are required to undertake a significant amount of reading. This case study discusses some advantages of using eBooks, and outlines the process involved in creating and uploading them to an eReader device.

Download the supporting PDF file for this episode http://bit.ly/ijlL3g from the Learning to Teach Online project website.

Engaging students in online learning is critical for success. In this episode, we speak with teachers and students about strategies for improving engagement and motivation in online learning environments. Effective facilitation, creating learning communities, strategies for motivating students, and encouraging and sustaining participation are discussed.

Download the supporting PDF file for this episode http://bit.ly/fEveZU from the Learning to Teach Online project website.

This case study examines the use of simple audio podcasts in a fully online distance education class, as part of the DUCKLING research project conducted by the Beyond Distance Research Alliance at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom. It discusses the benefits of using podcasts as part of an integrated online learning strategy in a distance learning context, and gives an overview of how podcasts were used to introduce concepts, provide support for assignments, and to give students direct feedback on their work.

This case study examines the use and benefits of online user generated self-assessment learning objects in Medicine. Two medical students from the University of Bristol developed a free online website called Medicles, which allows medical students from all over the world to develop and share mini-tutorials on a wide range of topic areas. This case study examines how the Medicles system works, and discusses the benefits that user generated learning resources can offer.

What do you think of this resource? Please click http://svy.mk/e6BP1G to complete a quick survey.

Download the supporting PDF file for this episode http://bit.ly/lg0vwL from the Learning to Teach Online project website.

Download the supporting PDF file for this episode http://bit.ly/gd02CZ from the Learning to Teach Online project website.

This case study examines the use of online asynchronous discussions as part of a large professional practice class for primary mathematics teachers. Online forums within Blackboard are used to host discussions about video lectures, support assessments and to enable students to ask questions and receive advice about content. The realities of managing large scale online discussions are discussed, along with strategies for effective facilitation.

What do you think of this resource? Please click this link to complete a quick survey http://svy.mk/e6BP1G

Download the supporting PDF file for this episode http://bit.ly/ieDVEh from the Learning to Teach Online project website.

While developing effective teamwork and collaboration skills are considered important to the learning process, many students find group work challenging and difficult. In this episode we explore how Internet technologies can improve the collaborative process within online teamwork, and offer some useful strategies for facilitation and assessment.

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Download the supporting PDF file for this episode http://bit.ly/gFPzbN from the Learning to Teach Online project website.

This Learning to Teach Online http://bit.ly/d18ac5 episode explores some of the key considerations when planning your online or blended (face-to-face and online) class. It examines the importance of considering pedagogy before technology; constructively aligning assessment with learning outcomes; and the integration of digital literacy skills. It also offers some useful strategies for deciding which components are better suited to an online learning environment.

It is strongly recommended that teachers who are considering planning an online class also watch other Learning to Teach Online episodes and case studies for more in-depth information about the concepts discussed in this episode.

This Technical Glossary video introduces the basic operation of the free audio editing software Audacity. Learn how to record, edit and export audio for audio podcasts as lectures or feedback for students. Please also see the related case studies watch the related case studies called Using audio feedback http://bit.ly/bobJOD and Increasing student engagement using podcasts http://bit.ly/fEveZU.

What do you think of this resource? Please click http://svy.mk/e6BP1G to complete a quick survey.

What do you think of this resource? Please click http://svy.mk/e6BP1G to complete a quick survey.

Download the supporting PDF file for this episode http://bit.ly/eSFZBS from the Learning to Teach Online project website.

This case study examines how the University of Leicester utilised a virtual oil rig in the online world Second Life, to help students develop an emergency evacuation strategy for an oil rig. This was conducted as part of the DUCKLING research project, involving students in an online masters degree in occupational psychology. The unique learning opportunities offered by virtual worlds are discussed, along with common technical difficulties that can potentially inhibit student learning.

Download the supporting PDF file for this episode http://bit.ly/e2Hxxs from the Learning to Teach Online project website.

Web 2.0 tools can be useful for any situation where discussion and content sharing is desired, and where accessing current information in certain topic areas can be advantageous for learning. This case study examines how and why Lubna Alam from the University of Canberra used the Moodle Learning Management System (LMS) as a central hub that both provided her students with easy access to the class blogs, wiki and Twitter, and a place where information from the different technologies was amalgamated. The integration of web 2.0 technologies into the learning process is examined, highlighting how this can improve student engagement, communication and collaboration.

What do you think of this resource? Please click http://svy.mk/e6BP1G to complete a quick survey.

This Technical Glossary video aims to give you an understanding of the social media platform Twitter http://twitter.com. The concept of tweets is discussed, and the video also demonstrates how to set up an account, how to find and follow other Twitter users, tweet and send direct messages to users, and how to use hash tags in teaching contexts.

Please also watch the related case study called Teaching with web 2.0 technologies: Twitter, wikis & blogs - Case study http://bit.ly/e2Hxxs.

Download the supporting PDF file for this episode http://bit.ly/gZXd6p from the Learning to Teach Online project website.

Copyright and creative commons is particularly important in the educational context where content is often copied, shared, reused and remixed by both teachers and students in the learning and teaching process.

This episode explains the basics of creative commons. We examine some of the different license terms and combinations, and offer some insights into which might be better suited for educational purposes. We also discuss how to generate your own creative commons license and what to do when your work is not attributed by others.

This case study examines how ePortfolios, used in conjunction with blogs, can encourage students to become more critically reflective learners. The benefits and challenges of using ePortfolios are discussed, along with strategies for providing sufficient technical and pedagogical support, to enable teachers and students to confidently use the technology as a collaborative learning tool.

What do you think of this resource? Please click http://svy.mk/e6BP1G to complete a quick survey.

Download the supporting PDF file for this episode http://bit.ly/koVNA2 from the Learning to Teach Online project website.

When teaching larger classes, an online environment can provide many opportunities for increased student engagement, group work and self testing. In this case study Professor Alan Crosky, from the University of New South Wales, explains how he uses a blended learning approach in his Engineering Materials and Chemistry course with 700 first year students. He highlights the importance of providing student orientation and support when first introducing an online component, and discusses the benefits of integrating online tutorials and resources, group work, peer assessment and self-testing into the course.

Download the supporting PDF file for this episode http://bit.ly/lMjbGt from the Learning to Teach Online project website.

What do you think of this resource? Please click http://svy.mk/e6BP1G to complete a quick survey.

Download the supporting PDF file for this episode http://bit.ly/mpbROh from the Learning to Teach Online project website.

This case study examines how technology can be used to support an active learning strategy within face-to-face Chemistry classes. Both in-class polling software and online lectures are used as part of a comprehensive teaching strategy, designed to enable students to develop critical thinking and analytical skills. While in-class polling is not an online process, it is included within this case study to highlight how different types of technology can be used together to effectively support classroom teaching, when integrated with a carefully considered pedagogical approach.

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Download the supporting PDF file for this episode http://bit.ly/hjdR88 from the Learning to Teach Online project website.

This case study examines how the use of a wiki can help a teacher effectively facilitate student collaboration with on-campus or distance students. It discusses the importance of providing technical support for both staff and students, planning clearly defined collaborative learning activities, and designing relevant assessment strategies to help support students develop effective teamwork skills.

What do you think of this resource? Please click this link to complete a quick survey http://svy.mk/e6BP1G