Building Interaction Into Your Online Course

You've already decided that you're ready to author online and you have your content organized. Now it's time to face the ultimate challenge in online learning - making it interactive!

Interaction in online courses is a two-edged sword. On one hand you want students to participate. This enhances their learning by letting them question and discuss issues in the course. On the other hand, as the instructor, you need to decide the level of interaction you want to have with each student - and build your courses accordingly.

As an illustration, let me relate a poor choice I made in a course I wrote several years ago. Because I wanted everyone involved, I required that each student post at least one message per week to the discussion group. In addition, I required that they respond to two other messages. Simple? Yes. But because I had decided that my level of involvement was to respond to every posting, I was faced with 3 messages for every student every week - and this was only the minimum requirement! I soon found myself bogged down in responding to an overwhelming number of messages.

To decide on your level of involvement, let's look at 5 levels of interactions you can provide.

1. Respond to every email. At this level of interaction, you are reading and responding to every email or discussion sent. Beware. While this may be effective at the beginning of a discussion when there is little interaction, you'll soon be overwhelmed just responding to and encouraging students.

2. Respond to every nth email. This is a more rational view. Here you can decide to pick every 5th posting and respond to it. The danger is that you'll miss a student's best posting or that you'll miss an important question.

3. Respond to 1 message per student per week. You can set the expectation that you'll welcome questions from everyone, but that you'll only guarantee a response to one per week. That will put the burden of composing an effective message on the student's shoulders, rather than just jotting off a quick question every time they think of it.

4. Post provocative questions. This is a great way to get a discussion started. If you choose this route, you may choose not to participate in the discussion yourself - but instead, just summarize it at the end - or not.

5. Employ help. This may be a Teaching Assistant, a mentor, students who have taken the course in the past, etc. You may also choose to separate the types of correspondence - for example, one person may cover technical questions, while another handles course mechanics and you take the content questions.

Now that you've decided on your level of involvement, it's time to design the exercises. Recognize that almost any type of exercise you use in face-to-face training has an online counterpart. So be creative - and try your ideas. You can even ask your fellow instructors for help by saying "In an instructor-led course we would do such-and-such for this lesson. What would you suggest we use to replicate that learning online?"

Keep in mind that the format of the course you are creating will help determine the appropriateness of an interactive exercise. For example, if you have a rolling enrollment, self-paced course where students sign up and work through the materials at their own pace, it may be difficult to assign them team activities.

To get you started here are some ideas for interactive exercises. These cover a variety of levels of interaction, so choose your favorites.

Polls and surveys - ask a series of questions, then summarize the results for the participants. This can be done with a survey tool or you can use a multiple choice exam. Poll early and often. Your first poll might be the type of computer participants use, how they connect to the Internet, and their level of expertise in computer skills. This provides good feedback to you and gives them a profile of the "average" student.

Go and do - give students an assignment to do offline. Then ask them to come back and use one of the other techniques (reflection, chat, summaries) to report on their activities.

Read and react - give students an article, a series of websites, or other assignment. Then ask them to write a short reaction paper based on their readings.

Reflection - ask each student to use their personal note space to reflect on reading/group discussions.

3-word summary - ask each student to summarize their thoughts in 3 words in the discussion group. Others can ask for clarification.

Teams - use teams to create small discussion groups. Then ask one person from each team to summarize the discussion in the larger discussion area.

Office hours - use a chat to hold weekly office hours. Just tell everyone when you'll be "in", then wait for the questions. As an alternative you may decide to offer a chat time to a smaller group or team of students - either to encourage more interaction or to handle what would have been an overwhelming amount of interaction.

Expert panel - invite one or more experts to participate in a live event such as a video or audio conference. Take questions from the audience. Then continue the discussion with the discussion group. If possible, invite the experts to participate in the discussion.

You will continue to discover new interactive exercises that you use with your courses. For a full course on the topic, send an email to elearning@TechTamers.com

Dr. Jeanette Cates is an Internet strategist who works with experts who are ready to turn their knowledge and their websites into Gold. Her reputation as a speaker and trainer has earned her the title of The Technology Tamer. With more than 20 years in instructional design and elearning, Jeanette shares her news and views in OnlineSuccessNews.com

Contact Information Batterjee Medical College

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Dean College of Information Systems (Zayed University)-United Arab Emirates

The University
Founded in 1998, Zayed University is the newest public university in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with 2,000 female students, all of them UAE citizens, on campuses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The College
The College of Information Systems currently has 20 full-time faculty who teach a larger number of majors than in any of the 5 other colleges. Students majoring in Information Systems will have a broad understanding of the role of information technology in global societies; in the development of internet business sites and electronic commerce; and in the fundamentals of computer programming, databases, data analysis and networking. The program is practical, competency-based and designed to expose students to real-world problems through internship opportunities with businesses in the UAE.

The Position
The Dean has general responsibility for developing and administering the College's academic programs, for managing and allocating financial resources, for encouraging excellent teaching, scholarship and research, for supporting faculty and staff development and for developing strong relationships with other Colleges and units of the University and with the external community.

Salary and Benefits
Salary is competitive by international standards. Benefits for Deans are generous. We offer excellent housing, a generous furniture allowance, educational subsidies for children, as well as annual flight tickets for you and your family.

Anticipated Date of Appointment - Summer, 2004

To Apply
Apply online at www.zu.ac.ae
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Interviews with finalists will begin in February.

Applications must include:
A letter of application addressing relevant experience and qualifications.
Current Curriculum Vitae.
The names, addresses and telephone/fax numbers of four referees.

All inquiries will be held in strict confidence; referees will not be contacted without the candidate's permission.

Inquiries about the position should be addressed to: david.mcglennon@zu.ac.ae

How to Choose a School in Dubai - United-Arab-Emirates

There are a large number of primary and secondary schools from which you can choose. One of the best way to ask around because of the number of experts in Dubai.

Most schools are private fee paying schools and really the best way to get an idea of the reputation of a school is to ask friends, colleagues and other experts who live in Dubai. Many of the schools also have their own websites where you can learn about the curriculum they follow, after school programs etc.

When it comes to enrolling your child in the UAE there are a few restrictions you should be aware of. For example you are not allowed to change your child school during the academic year unless approval is given by the Ministry of Education and the circumstances are special.

Consider the following points to choose a school for your child:

Does the school have a good reputation and how long has it been established?
Does the school have a good academic record? What percentages of its pupils obtain examination passes and go on to higher education?M
What does the curriculum include?
Which country's curriculum is followed?
Which examinations are set? Are the examinations recognized overseas, particularly in your country of origin? Do they fit in with your child's future educational plans? Ask to see a typical pupil's timetable to check the ratio of academic to non-academic subjects.
Check the number of free study periods and the level of supervision.
What's the teacher/pupil ratio?
What standard of teaching equipment is in regular use, e.g. projection and visual aids, computer hardware and types of software?
Is computer training available?
Which countries do most of the pupils come from?
Does religion play a part in the school?
Are intensive English or Arabic lessons provided for children who don't reach the required standard. (Arabic is unlikely to be mandatory in foreign schools).
What language lessons are available?
What are the qualification requirements for teachers? What nationalities are the majority of the teachers? Ask for a list of the teaching staff and their qualifications.
What is the teacher turnover? A high teacher turnover can be a bad sign and sometimes suggests poorly paid teachers and/or poor working conditions, although staff turnover in the region is rapid in many professions.
What kind of discipline and punishment are applied and for which offences?
What type of school reports are provided and how often?
What sports instruction and facilities are provided? Where are the facilities located?
What sort of school trips are organized? Are they always properly supervised?
Is transport to and from school provided? Is there teacher supervision on the buses?
What security arrangements are in place? What about the pickup of children at the end of school?
What medical facilities are provided? Where are the nearest clinics and hospitals?
What are the school terms and holidays?
What are the fees and when are they payable?
What extras must you pay for? These can include food, art supplies, sports equipment, excursions, uniforms and clothing, health and accident insurance, text books and stationery.
What are the withdrawal conditions, should you wish or need to remove your child? A term's notice is usually required. You're likely to have paid some form of financial deposit when your child begins at the school and this will cover the school in the case of withdrawal.
You should also monitor your child's progress and listen to his views regarding schools.

Education System in Dubai - United-Arab-Emirates

UAE residents have an optimistic view towards education system in the country. UAE has advanced in the field of education within the past few decades.

There is a real awareness about education in UAE which is constantly updating the policy and there is continuous investment in education infrastructure which helps in the country's development. Ministry of Education has prepared a policy which shows the strategy for further educational development in UAE.

The existing educational system was established in 1970s in UAE. This educational structure is a four-tier system which covers fourteen years of education. Primary and secondary education is provided for all UAE citizens.

Education Structure in Dubai is shown as follows:

Nurseries in Dubai
Dubai has a large number of nurseries. Most of them adopt variations of the Montessory method of instruction and take English as a primary instruction language. Most of the nurseries take children from two years old onwards and some of them take children from age of 18 month onwards.

Kindergarten
At the Kindergarten level children are usually learn art, music, religion, English, Arabic and math. Kindergartens also offer all sort of other activities for their attendants. Dubai has many English-speaking kindergartens and most of them are situated in Jumeirah and Umm Suquiem areas. Age level is from 4 to 5 years old for kindergarten.

Primary
At primary level English is the medium of instruction language in most of schools in Dubai. There are also large numbers of schools which teach children in other foreign languages, French, Hindu, even Russian. There is also a wide range of foreign curriculums, from British National Curriculum to Japanese system. For admission, some schools conduct entrance tests and most of the good schools also have a long waiting lists.

The new term in most of British schools in Dubai starts in September. In all other schools new term begins in April. During July and August all schools are closed for a holidays. School uniforms, usually similar to European and American Schools uniform. In most of the schools timings are from 8 am to 2 pm with usually two or three breaks. Average Fees is approximately Dhs. 3000 in schools. Primary section is usually of six years and age level is from 6 to 12 years.

Secondary
Dubai also has large number of international high schools which offers to expatriates as well as domicile residents large scale of curriculums- from Indian CBSE to IGCSE. School uniform is similar to those in primary. Compulsory subjects in most of the school include math, social studies, physical education, religion and Arabic. Pupil can choose subjects such as science, languages, sociology, history, computer studies etc. The offered subjects depend on school education system. An average fee in private schools is varying up to Dhs 25000.

Secondary school period is generally of three years and age level from 12 to 18 years. Certificate or diploma awarded by Secondary School Leaving Certificate

Colleges and Universities in Dubai
The number of colleges and universities in Dubai has grown significantly in last 20 years and every year the number of their staff and students increases by about 30%. Most of the colleges and universities are affiliating themselves to prestigious institutions abroad, and many of them use English as tuition language. Postgraduate Education in Dubai

A large number of Dubai's universities also offer various master and PhD postgraduate programs. To learn more about postgraduate programs in Dubai and see a full list of universities and institutes that offer master and PhD programs.

Technical Secondary School Length of programme is about 6years and age level is from 12 to 18 years. Certificate/diploma awarded: Technical Secondary Diploma

Dubai has an extensive education sector. Government in Dubai offers free education from kindergarten to university to all its citizens and about 40% of children attend private schools. For all children older then 5 years full-time education is compulsory and all primary and secondary schools in Dubai, public and private, up to ninth grade also have to follow universal and compulsory program bases.

About Dubai- Education

English is the medium of instruction in most schools in Dubai. Annual fees for nursery and pre-school vary greatly.
Some primary schools conduct entrance tests. Most schools cater to one or more expatriate communities. Our Own English High School, Modern High School, and Indian High School offer either a CBSE or an ICSE Indian syllabus. Modern Renaissance School, the Horizon School, Dubai English Speaking School, Jumeirah Primary School, Jumeirah English Speaking School, and Jebel Ali Primary School all offer British style primary education to the age of eleven. St. Mary's High School, Dubai College, English College, and Jumeirah College are all British style eleven-to-eighteen secondary schools which offer GCSE and A-Levels. The Emirates International School and Cambridge International High School are also secondary schools that offer a combination of GCSE, IGCSE, and IB courses to the expatriate community. The International School of Choueifat and Emirates International offer both British and American curricula.
A growing number of K-12 schools offer the American syllabus. The American School of Dubai (ASD), which is located in Jumeirah, and Dubai American Academy (DAA) have been around the longest. ASD offers an accredited American high school diploma; DAA offers both an American-accredited high school diploma and the International Baccalaureate [IB] diploma. There are also some primary and high schools that offer Canadian and Japanese syllabuses.
Many expatriates tend to send their children back to their home country for university education. However, a sizable number of foreign accredited universities have been set up in the city over the last ten years. Some of these universities include the American University in Dubai (AUD),The American College of Dubai, Al Ghurair University, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Middlesex University, Dubai, Dubai Women's College, University of Wollongong in Dubai, and Zayed University.

Al Imam Malik School Dubai UAE
The official web site of Al Imam Malik School in Dubai. Valuable and free resources for educators and students in both English and Arabic.

American University of Dubai
The Mission of The American University in Dubai is to provide for the varying educational needs of a culturally diverse and geographically dispersed student body with the goal of preparing students academically, personally, and professionally for successful careers.
Dubai Men's College, Higher Colleges of Technology
The network of HCT colleges offers various training programmes with a combination of theory, practical training and on the job experience. Programmes have been developed in consultation with employers and are regularly reviewed and updated through employer advisory committees. The four types of study programs (Certificate, Diploma, Higher Diploma and Bachelor's Degree) offered by the HCT are grouped at Dubai Men's College under three divisions:

Dubai Polytechnic Online
Our activities are guided by values such as continuous improvement, professional ethics, Islamic principles, creative and critical thinking and maintaining relationships with alumni and employers.

Dubai Women's College Expat
Dubai Women's College is the largest college within the HCT system with 2035 students enrolled in 2000/2001. The college has the reputation for dynamism and for strong relations with the local community. Its new permanent campus is situated on the edge of Dubai City near Dubai International Airport.
The college concentrates its academic efforts in Business Studies, Information Technology, Health Science and Applied Media Technology. The college also offers the only engineering program for women in the HCT - a Higher Diploma in Software Engineering Technology.

St.Mary's Catholic High School
St. Mary's Catholic High School has been at the forefront of education in Dubai. Without trying to sound presumptuous, the fact is that every year we churn out some of the best results around. This is not only due to the efforts of our students, but also our distinguished faculty, academic facilities, and atmosphere. Academics at St. Mary's is of the highest priority. Competition for admissions is high, mainly because we retain the discipline of a convent education, merged with the diversity of an international student background.

The American School of Dubai Online
The American School of Dubai is fully accredited by The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools based in the United States.
Technology is integrated throughout the curriculum with the use of over 280 computers located in four full-size labs, 3 mini-labs, all classrooms, as well as in the media center. An extensive school-wide network connects computers throughout the school. Computer instruction is offered at every grade level. Labs supplied with Macintosh computers are available for class work or independent projections. The Internet is available for every classroom in the school.
More on Dubai Education

Important Contact Numbers Cadet College Hasan Abdal Pakistan

PRINCIPAL 0092-57-2520200

VICE PRINCIPAL 0092-57-2520201

DVP (ACADEMICS) 0092-57-2522258

DVP (COORDINATION) 0092-57-2520210 (Ext-14)

ADJUTANT 0092-57-2520210 (Ext-26)

BURSAR 0092-2520247

SMO 0092-57-2520210 (Ext-17)

MESSING OFFICER 0092-57-2520210 (Ext-18)

ADMISSION OFFICE 0092-57-2520210 (Ext-02)

HEAD CLERK 0092-57-2520210 (Ext-03)

HM JINNAH WING 0092-57-2520211

HM HAIDER WING 0092-57-2520213

HM IQBAL WING 0092-57-2520214

HM OMER WING 0092-57-2520208

HM LIAQAT WING 0092-57-2520205

HM AURANGZEB WING 0092-57-2520207