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National Repository of Online Courses
(NROC), Algebra 1—An Open Course.
To register for a guest log-in go to: http://nrocmath.org/class-preview-sign-up-2/
This course is offered freely
through NROC as an open course for anyone to take. The advantage of open enrollment courses is
that learners are able to explore a topic in an independent study method, as
suggested by Michael Moore’s theory of distance education (Simonson, Smaldino,
Albright, & Zvacek, 2012, p. 44).
Open courses have become increasingly popular as a means of content dissemination
and in the spirit of the Creative Commons legal code. However, a free course may not contain
quality of content. So knowing what to
look for in an online course is important when judging open courses.
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The NROC Algebra course is a highly
engaging environment, complete with interactive videos that include some high
quality video effects. Does the flash of
the course hide a faulty structure?
Let’s look at the evidence of design and pre-planning that can be seen
for the course.
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Audience – the course is strategically designed
toward a middle-high school aged audience.
The writing, design, and layout along with the explanations of the
lessons use vocabulary and principals attractive and easily understood by this
age audience.
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Ability of the group – as the target audience
falls in the neo-millennial aged learner, much use has been made of interactive
elements and instructive video to complement the less exciting content.
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According to
Schlosser & Burmeister, all online learners require:
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Relevant content
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Clarity of expectations
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Control of pacing
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Available help
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A method for determining progress
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Content that is helpful and engaging (Smaldino, et al, 2012, p. 176).
The NROC course elevates a subject that
has become dulled by the repetition of completing endless problem sets into an
engaging and fanciful journey into the logic behind the math.
References:
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S.,
Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance:
Foundations of distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson
I look forward to reading your blog throughout this course.
ReplyDeleteConstance