In this unit, you’ll review the organization of discussion based online courses. Like face to face courses, online courses have structure and organization that can help you learn the content easier. Our discussion based model has a three tiered structure. In the first tier, you have readings and articles that provide you with information regarding the content of the unit. In this tutorial, we’ll use short videos and activities in place of more in-depth readings. The second tier involves content based peer discussions. This is the heart of the course as you discuss the content from the readings and think about how it fits into your present situation as an educator. In this tutorial, you’ll be asked simple discussion questions which you have the option of answering in the forums. This exercise is optional and you won’t get feedback from your instructor or classmates. However, your comments might help others taking this tutorial after you to gain better insight and you are encouraged to post your thoughtful comments in the discussion forum. The third tier involves an authentic project that asks you to apply what you are learning to something that you can use in your teaching practice. It may be a lesson plan, activity, or project that you design using the principles and ideas from the course. In this tutorial, there is no project assignment for you.

After completing this unit, you will be able to:

• Understand how discussion-based online courses are organized.
• Understand the value of using a discussion based model for online courses.

OPEN NH online courses consist of readings, online discussions, and project work. However, this tutorial will use only video and short activities rather than articles and other readings for content information.

Watch the You Tube Video Online Course Advantages.

Link: http://youtube.com/watch?v=-K-BM7etZJk&feature=related

Look over some of the Elementary Discussion Starters from the Fontana Unified School District in California. Consider the characteristics of a good discussion starter.

Link: http://www.fontana.k12.ca.us/OpenCourt/documents/DiscStartersPrimary.pdf

Advantages of Online Courses

After watching the video on the advantages of online courses, think about the advantages in terms of your won situation.

What surprised you most about the comments made in the video?

Do you see any of these advantages applying to your own situation?

To participate in the discussion, go to the Unit 2 Discussion Forum and add your comments.