TOOLS

Theory isn't the point.

Learning is.

And the point of this class is to give you enough working knowledge of learning theories so that you can effectively design online learning environments and successfully teach (facilitate/instruct) in such environments.

Last week, we used the metaphor of a frame to describe how learning theories can function.

Perhaps an even better metaphor is that knowledge of learning theories (their strategies and points of view) is a tool--a useful tool to put in your "teaching and learning toolbox"--something that you can pull out and use when needed.

To restate the obvious, what we are trying to learn here is not about face to face teaching. While it is certainly possible--and often quite useful--to fall back on tried and true F2F teaching skills when conducting online classes; when designing online learning environments, our F2F teaching experiences guide us only so far.

You are likely to need more tools.

Gillani was selected as a text because he gives a useful (practical) overview of the current state of research on learning theories and how they apply to eLearning situations.

One primary goal of OTL 501 is to give you enough background so that later, when you are faced with an empty course "shell" (whether it be in Blackboard, WebCT, Desire2Learn, Moodle, or any other platform), you will know what to do, AND what you do will be based on current research and best practices in the field of online teaching and learning.

So. Now to the last two types of learning theory--what Gillani categorizes as social and psychological.

If you are theory weary at this point, please hang on just a bit more. Later (502 & 503), when we focus on the practical how-to's of constructing online classes, it matters very much that you know what is appropriate to construct.