2. How are online courses different than traditional campus courses?
3. What is an online course like?
4. How many people are in each course?
5. How does a typical online course work?
6. What does a typical online course feel like?
7. How are lectures delivered?
8. How do I participate in the course?
9. How do I communicate with the Instructor?
10. What will I need to be successful in an online course?
11. What are the skills of successful online learners?
12. Is an online course right for me?
13. What are the format options for a MusicEdTech course?
An online course provides flexibility and convenience for students to access courses via an Internet connection at any time. There are no physical classrooms for lectures or in-class exams.
Students work within the standard course week, to review the weekly online materials including readings, video instruction and other resources posted by the instructor. Throughout the week, students and the instructor interact through the discussion forums, collaboratively exploring the week’s topics. Participants can also make appointments with the instructor for a phone or video conferencing private session.
Students submit assignments through the course site and receive regular feedback from the instructor.
2. How are online courses different than traditional campus courses?
Online courses do not have:
- a physical classroom
- in-class exams
MusicEdTech online courses are offered completely asynchronously and do not have live webinars so there won’t be any set meeting time although some instructors may make arrangements with participants to video conference individually or as a group.
Online courses do have:
- Flexibility and convenience: you can access your online course via any Internet connection, 24 x 7
- Anytime learning: in-person or real-time live webinars are not mandatory
- Collaborative environment: shared insights between the instructor and students through the discussion forums
- Qualified professionals: instructors are the respected experts in the field of music education and music technology integration
3. What is an online course like?
MusicEdTech online courses are delivered asynchronously. Materials are released and made available to participants on a specified day of the week. Participants can access these materials and complete the assignments as their schedule permits within each unit’s timeline. For instance, Topic/Unit 1 materials and assignments will be posted on by 8 AM of the first day of the Course Week. Participants can access the materials, post comments and questions, respond to other participants postings, complete and post the assignments at any time, 24 hours a day.
Asynchronous elements do not require that you log in at the same time as other students or your instructor. You might be asked to post to forums, submit essays, compositions and other assignments.
4. How many people are in each course?
Each course will vary with an average of 12 – 15 participants in each course. No more than 20 participants can be enrolled in any course.
5. How does a typical online course work?
In a traditional classroom course, instructors conduct weekly lectures, facilitate discussions and administer assignments and exams. Students attend weekly lectures, participate in classroom discussions and submit assignments and exams.
A MusicEdTech course is completely online and there is no required time to be online. Each week a Topic/Unit will be released by 8 AM the morning of the course day. If your course starts on a Friday, the first weekly Topic/Unit will be available that morning by 8 AM. The next Friday morning, the next topic/Unit will become available to you in the online Moodle classroom. Participants use the MusicEdTech Moodle Classroom is used in place of a traditional classroom to communicate and deliver course materials. Instructors upload:
- Course syllabus
- Weekly course content
- Assignments
- Checklists and reminders
- Discussion questions
- Contact information
As the course proceeds, students follow the standard online course week and:
- View/download materials
- Post responses to discussion questions
- Post replies to the posts of others
- Engage in conversations with the instructor and other students
- Submit assignments
- Complete quizzes and exams
Online participation through the course forums is critical. The instructor uploads graded work for students, including feedback on participation.
6. What does a typical online course feel like?
As the weeks of an online course unfold, you will adapt quickly to its flow and pace. Throughout the course week, you can expect to:
- Visit the weekly checklist for a list of reminders
- Read or print online lecture notes, handouts, case studies
- Read or print upcoming assignments
- Visit the discussion forums
- Post your original responses
- Post questions and comments
- Read posts of fellow students and the instructor
- Post replies to the posts of your classmates
- Read announcements posted by your instructor
- Submit assignments that are due
- Retrieve your graded work
While moving through the course week:
- You can review the videos of the live webinar
- You can “attend class” whenever you like
- You can read the online lecture notes and discussions that are text-based
- You will rely on the syllabus and checklists for reminders of due dates
Although you won’t be able to see your instructor and colleagues during the week, you’ll stay connected through the course site and its discussion forums. In addition, virtual collaboration tools provide students other opportunities to share and comment on music and interact with colleagues.
7. How are lectures delivered?
Lectures and course materials are delivered through:
- Weekly live webinar
- Typed materials in Word or PDF format
- Video screen-cast lectures
- Video classroom demonstrations
- Audio recorded lectures
8. How do I participate in the course?
Course participation and assignments include:
- Forum posts
- Responses to colleagues forum posts
- Music composition assignments
- Comments on colleagues music compositions
9. How do I communicate with the Instructor?
Communication occurs through many formats including:
- Online Classroom Forums
- Video conference (like Skype)
- Telephone (sometimes)
10. What will I need to be successful in an online course?
You will need:
- Computer capable of downloading video and multitasking
- High speed Internet (no dial up!)
- Basic computer skills: Internet surf, downloading media, search, email
- Self-discipline and motivation
- Regular blocks of time
- Some courses require certain software. Please check the course description for specific course requirements
11. What are the skills of successful online learners?
Successful online learners possess:
Strong written communication skills
Since all interaction is written, participants must have strong writing abilities to convey their points in the online classroom.
Effective reading skills
In addition to weekly text readings, course content includes weekly online “lecture notes,” supplemental readings, articles, case studies, discussions, etc.
Effective time-management skills
Students have access to online time-management tools: the syllabus, weekly checklists, the online calendar and an assignments tool. Participants must be motivated and disciplined to follow the weekly structure and stay current with the course activities and assignments.
Comfort with the technology
Students must be willing to become comfortable with the technology and understand the steps to take when further help is needed.
12. Is an online course right for me?
People learn in different ways. While an online course offers flexibility and convenience, it is not the best course delivery method for everyone. Students in online courses need to:
- Use technology properly.
- Login and participate regularly with their courses.
- Enjoy communicating in writing and reading posts of others.
- If you learn best by hearing the instructor, then perhaps the traditional classroom environment is more appropriate for you.
- Raise concerns and questions.
- Commit to, on average, at least 3-5 hours per week throughout course.
- Exercise self-discipline and manage their time to study and complete assignments and assessments.
Online learning requires more self-direction and motivation than a traditional course. Participants should expect to dedicate 3-5 hours per unit to complete instruction and assignments.
13. What are the format options for a MusicEdTech course?
Most MusicEdTech courses will be as four-weekly Topics/Units.
Please check the specific course for the exact starting dates.