Mid-South Instructional Technology Conference
Teaching, Learning, & Technology
The Connected Classroom
April 7-9, 2002
A Theoretical Foundation for Online Education
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By: Craig Stotts |
Abstract
A solid theoretical foundation for online education is available in the Generative Learning Theory. It provides a model for redesigning and re-engineering courses to be the most effective possible online courses. Practical examples for each component are given.
Description
The Generative Learning Theory (GLT) by Wittrock proposes that effective education focuses on what the student does, not what the instructor does. In online education, one must address memory, attention, and motivation in order to work toward comprehension. The main learning activity that GLT recommends is for the student to generate "links" for themselves, i.e. links between existing knowledge and new concepts or between 2 or more new concepts. Ways for students to create links include paraphrasing, annotating, summarizing, presenting, and a number of other strategies. Combined with the use of andragogical strategies (Knowles), the GLT can be a very effective guide to the instructor for creating effective online courses.