How are you innovating online learning?

Designing online courses on innovation can be challenging due to our inherent experimental nature. Humans crave hands-on experiences and interaction. Online formats often feel detached, hindering the translation of ideas into reality. In my experience, I developed an interactive training program that struck a balance between insightful content and practical experimentation. Initially, dense materials overwhelmed learners, but gradually, the integration of lighter and heavier segments, emphasizing "learning by doing," injected dynamism into online innovation courses.

Teaching statistics online in a doctoral program can be challenging. In my course, students spend 8 weeks learning complex concepts. The key is alignment of content with real-world examples. There are 5 webinars (2 pre-recorded) in the course. The middle weeks involve face-to-face webinars where I methodically present more complex statistical applications using real-world examples and then demonstrate how to use software to calculate the statistics. The key is connecting the concepts with corresponding research designs and practical, understandable examples. The results have been very successful. Another thing, students do not perform mathematical equations in my course.

Promoting collaborative learning in online education enhances engagement and knowledge construction. Discussion forums allow students to exchange thoughts and gain multiple perspectives. Group projects foster teamwork and problem-solving skills. Virtual classrooms enable real-time interactions and feedback. Collaborative tools support synchronous collaboration and idea sharing. This fosters a dynamic, engaging online environment where students learn from peers and construct knowledge collectively. Online learning is no longer solitary; it becomes a vibrant community of learners working together toward their educational goals.

In designing my online courses i attempt to make it as interactive as an in person course. I try to stagger my assignments so there is not too many in one week. For example, if there is a quiz in one week i wont give an assignment. Ill also only give one discussion question. I attempt to make the assignments more than research based and something that would encourage the students to apply what their learning outside of the classroom

One big challenge in designing online course is thinking about the possibility of the learners who would already be working on computers (working professionals and university students) who might not be as enthusiastic about sitting in front of a computer again - even if it means upskilling themselves and learning new things. This is where one would want to make their online course interactive, involve some paper pencil work to make the learning process engaging.

Using collaborative social media platforms such as Discord can help many people come together, collaborate with each other and share media, have discussions and even stream some videos together to learn collectively.

As a trainer used to face-to-face lectures, especially with COVID, training has also moved online, and engagement tactics are critical. If we think about the "synchronous" lecture, the worst case is when you have a Twitch-type lecture where you talk and maybe share the screen and the interaction is just through chat and everyone has their cameras off. Instead, to transform an online lecture, it's possible to use technologies such as - Breakout Rooms, which allow you to divide a single class with subgroups and exercises. - For simple online exercises, participants can share the scree or use platforms such as Miro for sharing work. - Systems for managing online quizzes.

In my perspective, it is critical to provide each student an assessment that is "close to real" in terms of online learning evaluation. In order to allow students to clarify their points of view in a learning context after the session, as well as to provide them a stage on which to stand during a discussion session, the use of miro and figma was extremely helpful. Also, in my opinion, using user-generated multiplayer quizzes from websites like Kahoot in the classroom is a good way to consistently challenge students' understanding.

In my experience with online learning, the most effective and efficient way to provide feedback is to have students submit assignments, such as research papers or essays. Then, after submission and correction, a written response is provided by the instructor or tutors, and then a forum-style chat can follow to clarify strengths and areas for improvement.

Micro-credentials are transforming online education by offering tangible benefits to students, employers, and the learning community. They provide students with recognition for specific skills gained during their program. These credentials incentivize students, fostering a motivated and focused learning environment. They also encourage lifelong learning by allowing students to return and pick up where they left off. Micro-credentials empower students for success, reshaping education and personal development in higher education.

Innovative and disruptive techniques are often considered, such as the use of gamification in learning, and recently Babbel - a language learning provider - has introduced games. Game development requires good adaptive skills on the part of the teacher, but also additional skills such as educational game development. A technically simpler but highly effective method, used for example by GetSmarter - and the notorious LSE - is flipped learning, where face-to-face time with the teacher is "reversed" to self-study. Materials are released to students to explore at their own pace, and then follows a meeting with tutors/lecturers. This is effective, and the implementation effort is not that different from a traditional face-to-face class.

Some people might not be willing to learn online, but they will still sign up as it has become the need of the hour to upskill oneself. Keeping that in mind, innovation, interaction and engagement will make online learning successful.

As a teacher, I am leveraging the power of technology to innovate online learning in several ways. I use a variety of multimedia elements, such as videos, interactive simulations, and virtual field trips, to engage students and make complex concepts come to life. Personalized learning paths and adaptive assessments help tailor the learning experience to each student's needs, allowing them to progress at their own pace. Collaborative online discussions, group projects, and peer assessments foster student community and teamwork, even in a virtual environment. Regular feedback and one-on-one virtual sessions ensure students receive individualized guidance and support.