Disconnect between learning theory and online practice

Since starting at Keypath UK as a Senior Instructional Designer I have been boning up on many a learning & teaching theory to support the quality of mine / and my team’s output.

However something that always strikes me is the massive disconnect between the touted theory and practice online.

The Community of Inquiry model, Socio-constructivism and Kagan cooperative learning tools can make any learning theorist a hot mess for ages whilst they chatter through the respective merits, however, when it comes to practice, and for online learners, I’ve often found very little solid writing to warm my grey cells.

This work I’m presently carrying out as the partnership manager for delivering online masters however has given me, and the team I lead, ample opportunity to put into practice various parts of each theory.

Obviously I can’t share commercially sensitive work, however it’s work along the lines of  special conversational blocks, signposting for communication and some “set-pieces” for engagement early on.

… and that’s all I can share for now!