Meaningful interactions are essential to successful online learning and here is an example of a learning object that offers you a way to evaluate yourself while constructing key concepts about the differences between leadership and management skills. Try it yourself and then read more below.
Copyright © 2006 Boston University
Who created this interactive learning object? In February 2006, as the instructor for an online graduate course in Project Management Communications and Leadership, Star Dargin brought fresh ideas and unique insights to her students– like this self-assessment activity that she had been using in on-campus courses. Take a look at her original handout where Star combined the models of other experts.
How was it created? Star presented this classroom activity handout to the instructional design team at Boston University's Office of Distance Education. BU course developer Kathy Cannon articulated Star's ideas as a set of technical specifications and provided them to the graphic and animation designers, Malcolm Johnstone and Jin Chyung of Learning Objects, LLC, who produced the resulting Flash-based learning object.
How was it used in the course? In the second session of the course, students were expected to read extensively and discuss various models of management and leadership. This learning object helped students reflect on their own work or home experiences in preparation for lengthy online discussions. Thus, students moved from a personally relevant interaction with the online self-assessment tool, to a broader community-based interaction with their instructor, facilitator and fellow students.
Was it a successful learning tool? The discussions that followed were livelier and more engaging because of personal stories and connections that were brought to mind by this self-assessment activity. Interactions like this deliver a more in-depth and meaningful understanding than any textbook, lecture, or classroom handout ever could.