Most Memorable Online Learning Experience

The most memorable online learning experience for me is an online course called Interactive Multimedia Learning which I am taking this semester. In this course, 1~3 students make a group to create our own interactive and multimedia learning projects such as comics, screencast and whiteboard animation. For every challenge, we are asked to upload our project to coursespaces three days before the final version due. During the 3 days, we look through other groups’ works and provide feedback. Based on the feedback we make final adjustments. For students who are struggling with their project and seeking for help, we have “Help Please! Forum”. Students can ask for help or provide help to others from there. Also, we have “Sharing Cool Finds Forum” for us to share our discoveries related to multimedia and interactive learning technologies.

This course changes my opinion about online class. I used to think online courses are lack of communication because I cannot meet my professors and classmates face to face. However, in this online course, I communicate even more than lectures. We have the opportunities the view our peers’ works and get comments and suggestions from them. What is more, I learned a lot about interactive multimedia learning tools. For example, for our third challenge, we were asked to create a whiteboard animation. I had no idea about it. However, after some research and suggestions from my group members, I’ve learned a couple of software to create whiteboard animations. Below is a video about the best whiteboard animation software review.

Compared with lectures, it is difficult for teachers and students to communicate at the same time and space. Therefore, in order to ensure the efficiency and quality of teaching and learning, an interactive learning environment is more important for online courses. I think this class satisfies that requirement.

 

Broadcast versus Communicative Media and Media Richness

Broadcast media is one-way media. Like television, radio and print, end users cannot change the message. The organization can control and manage the information that is being transmitted, ensure quality control over the content. However, communicative media is many-to-many media. Lick telephone, video-conferencing, and online discussion forums. All users can communicate and interact with each other. It allows for interaction between learners and teachers.

No matter which kind of media was used in the educational area, I think media richness is an important impact that should be taken into consideration. Rich media allows teachers and students to do more and improve teaching and learning quality. For example, it would be boring for students if the learning material only contains text and audio. Also, for teachers, rich media can help them explain things in an easier understand way. The video below briefly explains the meaning of media richness.

 

Reference

Bates, T. (2019). Understanding technology in education. Retrieved from https://via.hypothes.is/https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/teachinginadigitalagev2/part/chapter-8-understanding-technology/

Best Whiteboard Animation Software Review 2020. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQxIiEQ6ajg

What is MEDIA RICHNESS THEORY? Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OJbusoyt4E