Engaging the Online Learner or Computer Networks

Engaging the Online Learner: Activities and Resources for Creative Instruction

Author: J Ana Donaldson

Engaging the Online Learners includes an innovative framework—the Phases of Engagement—that helps instructors become more involved as knowledge generators and cofacilitators of a course. The book also provides specific ideas for tested activities (collected from experienced online instructors across the nation) that can go a long way to improving online learning. Engaging the Online Learner offers the tools and information needed to:

• Convert classroom activities to an online environment and use online activities in a classroom-based course


• Assess the learning that occurs as a result of collaborative activities


• Phase-in activities that promote engagement among online learners


• Help online learners use online tools


• Build peer interaction through peer partnerships and team activities


• Create authentic activities


• Implement games and simulations

Table of Contents:

	Preface	ix
	The Authors	xiii
Part 1	Constructing Activities to Engage Online Learners	1
1	Engaged Learning in an Online Environment	3
	Engaged Learning in the Online Environment	6
	Guiding Learners to Engage Online	9
	Appropriate Activities for Each Phase	12
	Summary	13
2	Designing Online Engagement	16
	Adapting Classroom-Based Activities	17
	Meeting the Needs of Online Learners	19
	Choosing an Effective Communication Tool	20
	Summary	23
3	Measuring Online Engaged Learning	24
	Analyzing the Quality of Critical Thinking	25
	Discussion Analysis Tools	26
	Rubrics	26
	Team Assessments	27
	Reflective Self-Assessments	31
	Summary	31
Part 2	Activities to Engage Online Learners	35
4	Learning to Use Online Tools	37
	Building Students' Skills in Using the Necessary Tools	37
	Skill-Building Activities to Try	39
	Skills Survey	40
	Drag and Drop	41
	Library Search	42
	I Can Find That	43
	Scavenger Hunt	44
	Syllabus Quiz	45
5	Online Icebreakers	46
	Characteristics of an Effective Icebreaker	47
	Icebreakers to Try	48
	Bingo	49
	Classmate Quiz	50
	Lineup	51
	Lost in Space	52
	Name That Movie	53
	One Word	54
	Portrait	55
	Room with a View	56
	Snowball	57
	Things	57
	Truths and Lies	58
	What Kind of Animal?	58
	Why Are We Together?	59
6	Peer Partnership and Team Activities	60
	Moving Dyads to Teams	61
	Peer Partnership and Team Activities to Try	63
	Contest of the Week	64
	Dyad Debate	65
	Group Contract	66
	How's My Driving?	67
	Medieval Shield	69
	Progressive Project	70
	Structured Chat	71
	Structured Discussion	72
7	Reflective Activities	73
	Characteristics of an Effective Reflective Activity	74
	Reflective Activities to Try	75
	Aha!	76
	Bumper Sticker	77
	Critical Insight	78
	I Didn't Know That	79
	IRAs	80
	More Words to Lead By	81
	Picture	82
	Summary Words	83
8	Authentic Activities	84
	Characteristics of an Effective Authentic Activity	85
	Authentic Activities to Try	86
	Case Study	87
	Celebrity Chat	88
	Cross-Region Discussion	89
	Team Problem Solving	90
	Pyramid	91
	Social Responsibility	92
9	Games and Simulations	93
	Characteristics of an Effective Game or Simulation	94
	Games and Simulations to Try	95
	Group Problem-Based Learning	96
	Jilligan's Island	101
	Spreadsheets	103
	Virtual Field Trips	104
	WebQuest	105
10	Learner-Led Activities	106
	Activities Led by Individuals Versus Teams	106
	Conveying Outcomes	107
	Choosing the Type of Activity	107
	Adequate Orientation and Planning Time	107
	What Do Learners Think About Learner-Led Activities?	109
	Examples of Learner-Led Activities	110
	Example 1	111
	Example 2	112
	Example 3	114
	Example 4	118
	References	121
	Index	125

Look this: Jacques Pepins Simple and Healthy Cooking or Vegetarian Suppers from Deborah Madisons Kitchen

Computer Networks: A Systems Approach

Author: Larry L Peterson

Computer Networks, 4E is the only introductory computer networking book written by authors who have had first-hand experience with many of the protocols discussed in the book, who have actually designed some of them as well, and who are still actively designing the computer networks today.

This newly revised edition continues to provide an enduring, practical understanding of networks and their building blocks through rich, example-based instruction. The authors' focus is on the why of network design, not just the specifications comprising today's systems but how key technologies and protocols actually work in the real world to solve specific problems. The new edition makes less use of computer code to explain protocols than earlier editions. Moreover, this new edition shifts the focus somewhat higher in the protocol stack where there is generally more innovative and exciting work going on at the application and session layers than at the link and physical layers.

* Completely updated with new sidebar discussions that cover the deployment status of protocols described in the book.
* Addition of sizeable number of new exercises and solutions.
* Downloadable Opnet network simulation software and lab experiments manual.
* New and revised instructor support material, including Powerpoint slides, eps version of figures appearing in the text; sample exams; lecture notes; UNIX sockets programming assignments.