I know that since the beginning of online education there have been the rumblings that online education does not provide the same quality of education you can find in the traditional classroom. There are pros and cons to both.
In online education assumptions are often made that students have prior knowledge of the technologies required to take the online class. However, this is not always the case. Some may enroll because it’s their only option. For instance, I’ve been wanting to work towards my MLIS degree for almost 10 years, and even though I lived close to two universities with MLIS programs (UNC Chapel Hill and UT Austin), these were classroom programs only (at the time) and I couldn’t find the time to take day classes with a full-time job. Now, I’m in a program that is completely online. At the time I joined this program, 2 years ago, I knew many of the technology tools available but had no experience with ANGEL and some of the databases used in many of my classes. The LIBR203 course, which was implemented by the program around the time I first enrolled, was a good course to take. All online education programs should incorporate something similar for students new to online courses. Though it can be tough for newbies to online education, getting the hang of the new technologies, it can also be a blessing. Not only are they learning a subject of interest or satisfying a degree requirement, they can also be learning how to use new technologies, which can only enhance their skills in other areas of life (ie: helping their own kids with homework, advancing in their jobs, seeking information for their own personal interests or needs).
Another assumption that can be made comes from the side of the student and the nay-sayers who may consider online education the “easy way out”. However this can actually be the exact opposite. In a classroom setting, students can sometimes “get by”, letting other students answer questions and also can get participation points by just showing up for class. In the online environment, students have to actively participate through online discussion in order to be “heard” and “seen” by the instructor. I personally feel that online education is a great way to get otherwise silent students to “speak up”, especially when there is the anonymity of sitting behind a computer, instead of raising your hand in front of a whole classroom of people or having the instructor call your name and you feel like you’ve been pinned to the board.
Another factor in successful online learning is the instructor. There must be a good instructor, just like any type of classroom setting. However, the instructor can be faced with similar challenges as the students. The instructor must have some technology savvy in order to organize an online course so that students can learn from it. The instructor must also be “present” in the class, providing good opportunities for discussion, with feedback, whether they are inside forums or using conferencing technology. In the end, students don’t want to simply learn from a computer screen. They still want to feel that there is an actual someone who is teaching them or guiding them through their education.
In the end, just like traditional classrooms, the real qualitative measure comes from good teaching and a student’s willingness to learn.
6 comments:
“In a classroom setting, students can sometimes ‘get by’, letting other students answer questions and also can get participation points by just showing up for class. In the online environment, students have to actively participate through online discussion in order to be ‘heard’ and ‘seen’ by the instructor.”
This statement that you made is so true, which is why I think that online classes are more difficult that the traditional classroom. Actively participating is hard work but is necessary if you want to learn and get the most that you can out of your learning! There is also a lot more reading and writing involved than the regular classroom. Everything that we do involves writing, and I’m talking about things other than the research papers, etc. We respond to forums, blogs, collaborate with groups and partners via lengthy emails, work on Google docs, and synthesize information for wikis. This all takes a lot more time and effort than sitting in a classroom and maybe participating in a discussion. This isn’t a complaint, I’m just recognizing how we need to be motivated and really push ourselves to get the most out of our online education, and I think that we all benefit from that fact. I guess that is why we are all here.
I forgot to mention that I think that online learning offers more challenges for students since there is higher accountability than the traditional classroom.
And this is why I feel that online learning can be qualitatively better. Students are pushed to give that something extra, to make the effort to be more interactive and proactive in their learning experience. Also, you mention all of the technology tools we find ourselves using in order to communicate effectively in the online learning environment; Google docs, wikis, chat, emails forums, blogs. Having to do this often introduces students to technology they have not previously considered using (especially in adult education). Learning these tools not only enhances their online learning experience, but can enhance other areas of their lives, such as job communication, or communicating in their personal lives (ie: family/friends in other states or countries).
Hi Tracey
I really liked the point that you made about going to online schools means that here are more opportunities for furthering your education. You also mentioned that many people think that online education is an easy way out, I wonder how many of them have taken some of our classes! I agree with you that there is more of an opportunity for people to voice their opinions in an online class because there isn’t the feeling as if you have been singled out. I totally agree that the student’s interaction with the instructor is a huge key to how successful the student will be.
I think that the success of on-line education is also subject dependent. Library studies is a good fit since as you pointed out students become proficient in many technology tools through on-line education, and proficiency in these tools is a real advantage in the changing world of library science. I suspect that most of the humanities transfer successfully to the on-line environment but many of the sciences still require the face to face environments for laboratory work (for example) to be successful.
Certainly, as you mention, the on-line experience is less intimidating than a face to face class and so it is easier to express ideas. It can be an emancipating experience to be given the time and space to express oneself without the pressures inherent in a face to face class room environment.
The increased opportunities to respond to discussions in writing are also help students develop their writing skills. Another key skill when entering the modern workforce.
I have to say that I feel more confident in my blogs, responses, or discussions because it feels like it could be anonymous in a way. There is no spotlight on me when I am trying to ask questions or making a comment and can interact more.
I do have to agree with everyone that I thought I was proficient in technology but have learned a lot more since being in the program. I have also learned about programs I have never heard about such as Jing, Camtasia, Prezi, and many more. I have also learned how to keep a blog and sign up for RSS feeds. I think these are great tools to learn so that I can keep up to date with the technology and the younger kids. I am also grateful because I can then go to the students at the elementary and high school that I work at and can give them tips or tell them that I know what it is. I am then the “hip” adult who knows what they are talking about and what the programs actually do. If it wasn’t for this program I might not have used these other tools.
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