A conversion of a face-to-face course to a bi-synchronous blended learning environment

Abstract

This project focused on converting EDUC202, a fully face-to-face course, offered through the Faculty of Education at Vancouver Island University (VIU), to a synchronous, blended learning course accessible by students in a variety of locations. The two major focuses of the project were the appropriate conversions of the face-to-face activities that the professor of the course had already created and ensuring that all modifications to these activities allowed both online and face-to-face learners the opportunity to contribute and participate. A variety of online tools were considered and the appropriateness, with respect to ease-of-use and learning objectives, caused a specific subset of these tools to be utilized in the revised course activities. Furthermore, course modifications were considered through the lens of collaboration and group learning. The course was first delivered in the Spring 2016 academic term at VIU’s satellite Cowichan campus.