- Educators have a reputation for being resistant to change. Any thoughts about why this is?
- What facts seem to impact the opposition to online learning?
- What myths contribute to the distaste for online learning?
- What characteristics do the learners bring to the experience that can facilitate the success of online learning? What might learners do to compromise the opportunity?
- What strategies might improve the use of online technology in education?
Friday, February 8, 2013
A few questions to get started...
As I continue to develop this blog I will add related resources and such, but for now I'll start with a few issues for discussion:
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I'll respond to these questions:
ReplyDelete1. In my field -- I'm an English professor -- the tendency has been to want to have actual face to face contact with the students; for me, the best part about teaching is being able to see learning happening in the context of a discussion-based class. For this reason, I have absolutely no desire to teach online, even as I realize the demand and need for doing so. My courses are built around the concept of student interaction that happens in the context of conversation. Another reason for resistance involves the concept of intellectual property: at present, online courses are set up in my university's Blackboard system, so it is likely then university then "owns" online courses and materials. For many university faculty, such a circumstance is deeply troubling.
2. Again, I can only speak from the perspective of an educator who has never taught an online course. I think that there are serious disciplinary pedagogical concerns and consequences for administering certain classes online, and the question about intellectual property (largely unanswered) is of prime import as well.
3. Not sure about whether these are myths or not, but for instructors I know who have taught online, there is the very real sense that teaching this way requires a very different kind of work and significantly greater time commitment (it's one thing to participate in an oral discussion and quite another to have to read through and comment -- in writing -- to one online). I don't really know how students feel about the experience of online classes, but I would imagine that the alienation of online learning, as opposed to the building of a physical classroom community, might prove a turn off, at least for some students.
4. I'll defer on this question to people who have actually taught online.
5. Ensure that instructors own their courses and material.
In answer to your questions, I think that it sometimes is hard to figure it out....like it took me a few times to be able to post. I have not taken an online class but can see it being convenient. I believe I would miss the community of "the class" and wonder how I would be able to be disciplined.
DeleteChange is hard as you are in a field for a while and get used to certain protocols and expectations. We grew up going to college, attending classes in person and have a mindset that it should be so.
I worry with the tech world for youth that the personal touch can get lost. Online classes would need to build in some way to engage folks to interact which in my opinion generates healthy thought-provoking conversation and learning.
Thanks for your comment Laura!
DeleteI can appreciate your points. Interaction is certainly a key part of learning, particularly for the education field. I can see both sides of the conversation argument. Face to face meetings certainly allow us to gage each other and have real on-the-spot dialogue. I've also found that, in classroom settings, students have an easier time making one or two small comments in class and then fading in to the background. That said, there are different opportunities for conversation online, including face to face group calls on Google Hangout or Adobe Connect sessions (if the school subscribes). I find these online conversations require more thought because I'm putting everything in writing and out there for someone else's interpretation... this presents it's own challenges, good and bad. People tend to have a harder time being wallflowers online because comments and posts are "permanent" and it's obvious when someone has not put time in to the work.
I also hear you on the intellectual property issue as well. I would imagine that universities considering online courses would need to put policies and procedures in place to protect staff and students. For the course I am taking, the professor made very clear statements about our intellectual property rights as students so I imagine they have thought through this issue for staff to some degree. It's certainly an implication to consider as digital learning and sharing opportunities grow! Thanks again!
Thanks for your comment also Pam! You bring up two very common concerns with online learning: the tech learning curve and the personal discipline it can take to be successful! It certainly does take some time to learn the various technologies available and it all changes so quickly; it can be hard to keep up with. The discipline piece is also key and without it, learners will have a difficult time being successful. We do all need to be aware of our own strengths and weaknesses!
DeleteIn the classes I am taking, I am finding more personal connection than ever before. In the past, classes I have taken have consisted of discussion boards and paper submissions. This semester I am doing those assignments as well as group work via face to face connections... a real change from the past... and yes, new technologies to learn!
Thanks again Pam!
Great Questions Dawn! Although I don't have any experience as a teacher or taking online classes I would be happy to comment on these questions.
ReplyDeleteI think most people are resistant to change in some way. As an educator I can imagine it would be challenging to teach online. I would think the one on one personal interaction would be more rewarding. When someone can see the results of what they do it can recharge and inspire.
On the other hand, with the hectic lifestyles people live, I can see why there is such a need for this kind of education. It's quick and easy to do from your own home. There are so many wonderful resources and areas of study that wouldn't be available to people otherwise.
Hope this is helpful Dawn!
Rika Taylor
Thanks for your post Rika!
DeleteYou are correct about resistance being part of human nature to some degree :). I thought I was a whiz at researching and accessing resources on the internet but through this class I am learning about so many more options I did not even know about... and I imagine that list will only grow! With a hectic job, and a husband and daughter to reckon with, I also do appreciate the ability to learn/work on my own schedule.
Thanks again Rika!
1) As an educator, I am reluctant to utilize "new technology" due to two main facors. 1) the learning curve associated with the new technology. How much time is it going to take me to understand how to properly use the technology. 2) lack of support (infrastructure) to support the technology. For example, we had two programs on campus that initiated an ePortfolio requirement for their programs. The instructors spent a semester learning the technology and teaching it to their students. A year later,one of the companies running the ePortfolio ceased to exist and all of the work was lost. In that same year, the institution adopted another ePortfolio plateform and the remaining program did not integrate.
ReplyDelete2)Knowing that other faculty are buying-in helps to alleviate stresses caused by the learning curve.
3) In advising students towards online courses, I often hear complaints that they are too impersonal. Students like being able to drop by during office hours or physically seeing faculty before or after classes. I also hear many students claim that online courses are easy and that cheating is readily possible.
4)Online learning situations have the capacity to bring together more diversity than traditional courses. This can become apparent in discussion threads as students voice viewpoints. I also feel that online communication is easier for many shy students giving them a voice. I feel the largest obstacle in online learning is the pace. Students who are not disciplined, can easily get behind in courses. In a traditional setting, I hold them accountable for their attendence and exam scores. In an online setting, deadlines are posted and students are free to work anytime.
5)I think requiring more synchronous meeting would help hold students accountable and would help in the development of student-student and student-faculty relationships.
Thanks for your post Jim! You bring up several interesting aspects of online learning that haven't been mentioned yet... the first being the need for tech support. I wholeheartedly agree with you and find it more than frustrating when my online tools will not work and I can't solve the issue. I have found that googling for answers can help. And, last night, as I was setting up a chat session with classmates I started getting server errors. I noticed a tech support e-mail, so I tried that. I actually received a reply within a few minute...and that was at 10:30pm. I certainly appreciated the kind and helpful response...and I appreciate that the university pays this guy to be available. I also like your point about the diversity that is available through online learning. Again, in this class, I am amazed at how I am connecting with people I would never have met otherwise... from across the country and working in fields that are not common in Western North Carolina. The online format does offer some comfort for those who have great thoughts but are shy about speaking up in front of others... Your thoughts regarding synchronous meetings would certainly improve the relationship building aspects. What I like about this class is that we do have that opportunity, but on our own time, as small groups.
DeleteThanks again Jim!
Educators have a reputation for being resistant to change. Any thoughts about why this is?
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of it has to do with the answer I am going to give for question 2. However I also think a lot has to do with traditions of education. You know, the suit coats with the leather elbows, the beautiful campuses etc.
What facts seem to impact the opposition to online learning?
There is no doubt in my mind that the biggest impact are diploma mills that give out all these fake degrees. This hurts everybody in on-line education because it turns everybody off to the idea.
What myths contribute to the distaste for online learning?
Taking the diploma mills idea one step farther, I think it supports the myth that you are unable to get a quality education on-line. I also think people think they would lose a lot of the face-to-face interaction that they get from traditional campus-based education.
What characteristics do the learners bring to the experience that can facilitate the success of online learning? What might learners do to compromise the opportunity?
I think on-line students bring a lot of culture diverse especially if they are from foreign countries. They could share a lot about how our field of study is executed in their countries. This could not be very effective if they don't speak the same language as their cohort.
What strategies might improve the use of online technology in education?
I think every on-line program and each class needs an element of video connection so people don't feel isolated and wondering who or even what they might be working with.
Thanks for your thoughts Jon. I agree 100% that shady online programs have certainly added to the taint associated with online learning. It certainly makes it easier to excuse online learning as a whole instead of embracing the opportunity to learn (and accept learning) that might differ from the norm. The interaction piece can certainly be lost if a course is not designed to embed that aspect... if it's desired, then care should be taken to ensure there are mechanisms in place to promote interaction. The diversity online learning offers is really unparalleled in some respects... particularly for students who are already professionals with careers. I think about the same program I could have enrolled in at a local university. My classmates would offer some diversity, no doubt, but we would all be working in the region and that can be limiting given the field we're in. Thanks again for your comment!
ReplyDeleteEducators have a reputation for being resistant to change. Any thoughts about why this is?
ReplyDeletePerhaps some of the educators that have been in the system for a long time may be resistant to change but there is a huge emphasis on evolution and growth in the school systems currently. The core evaluation areas in North carolina not only address how proficient you are in specific categories but also how you plan to improve in the areas that are lacking. Unfortunately if a teacher is resistant to change it probably means that they do not realize how wide and diverse the population of students is currently. The way to best serve this diversity is by growing and changing with the specific needs of the students.
What facts seem to impact the opposition to online learning?
The biggest opposition to online learning seems to be a lack of knowledge into the online process. Many people see a virtual education as something lacking or subpar in comparison to a physical environment such as a classroom. This is a viewpoint that I have heard predominately from the adult population and many of them have been educators. Most of those people I spoke to had never actually taken online courses. Perhaps a better way of looking at it would be what is best for the individual student. For those who learn better face to face then a physical classroom may be best. However many students could get just as much out of a course without ever having to travel to a school building for access to a quality education.
What myths contribute to the distaste for online learning?
As stated above most of the myths that I have heard about online learning come from a lack of knowledge about the concept of virtual learning. The main concern that I have heard is that people see an online course as a complete detachment from a classroom setting. They think they are going to be left without resources or guidance and that they will be required to independently solve all issues that come up .
What characteristics do the learners bring to the experience that can facilitate the success of online learning? What might learners do to compromise the opportunity?
I believe that a successful online learner is someone that is independent, has basic technology skills and feels comfortable asking questions as necessary. Online classes are not for everyone but as long as a learner can follow a schedule and meet deadlines without consistent reminders then they will be successful at online courses. Someone may compromise an online course by consistent delay and procrastination throughout the experience. These same students probably are not going to function well in a regular classroom setting either.
Thanks for your thoughts Marcus! I think you make a great point about the evolution of education... how do you think tenure in the public education system plays in to the shift?
DeleteI also like your comments that speak to individualizing the experiences based on what the student needs...unfortunately, that seems to be a rather novel concept these days. How do you think teachers can balance the need for face-to-face experiences with the growing need for other instructional methods, including online courses?
Thanks again for your comments!
I'll chime in on #4 - What characteristics do the learners bring to the experience that can facilitate the success of online learning? What might learners do to compromise the opportunity?
ReplyDeletePart of my job as a faculty member is to advise my department's majors on their coursework for each semester, with the overall goal of making sure that each student can complete the required courses and make progress toward graduation. Almost all of them have been resistant to taking online courses. A student who met with me a few weeks ago said he had taken one last semester, and he thought it was difficult to force himself to do the coursework on time. He said classes were simpler for him when he could attend in person, so he could more easily keep up with lectures, due dates and exam preps. So I believe that one helpful characteristic for new online learners is flexibility! A student who is willing to try an online course and really commit to it for a single semester (only 15-16 weeks) might be surprised by how much she can learn -- not only about the course content but also about her own time management, self-discipline and creativity.
Learners can compromise the opportunity by focusing too much on their own baggage. If a student comes into the scene believing that he will fail, then there's no reason for him to succeed.
Thanks Matt! Your thoughts make me think about what it takes to truly be a "successful" person... the same characteristics you mention as necessary for online learning are what we expect to see in our best employees or leaders. It would be interesting to study successful online learners (in quality programs) and compare their course performance to their professional performance. It would also be interesting to compare these same folks with those who are successful in face-to-face courses, and then professionally. I just wonder what similarities and differences we might find.
Delete1. Educators become comfortable and complacent. As in any profession, once we figure something out and having it running smoothly – why would we want to change? We often can’t see the benefits of change, because we can’t see past the idea of having to redo what we have worked so hard to perfect.
ReplyDelete2. Many students directly out of high school do not know how to balance the freedom and flexibility of online courses. Students have not yet been taught how to be successful in a college setting – much less within an online learning environment.
3. Potential students fear that without face-to-face instruction learning cannot take place. We are accustomed to having a teacher/professor stand before us and lecture. Online courses require dependability and a strong work ethic that some students do not possess at the appropriate time.
4. Today’s learners come to online courses with a background in technology. This can be a blessing and curse. Learners can easily navigate through course materials and assignments which help facilitate the learning process. However, professors and institutes are constantly having to evaluate their safe guards to ensure that learning is authentic.
5. Students need more exposure to online courses in high school. Public schools need to be teaching students how to learn and grow through the use of online courses. This can easily be accomplished through having students’ complete courses that are a combination of onsite and online learning.
Great points Kyle! I think you could not be more correct about finding comfort in the status quo. Why do you think some of us are in that boat while others do truly embrace growth, change and progress? I also like your point regarding the maturity of the learner regarding online courses. Do you think this will shift at all as children are introduced to online learning and technology earlier in their educational careers? I also appreciate your thoughts regarding the work ethic required to succeed... how do you think this transfers to our professional lives?
DeleteWhat facts seem to impact the opposition to online learning?
ReplyDelete#2: having taught courses online and taken courses online, I see the benefit as well as problems. Online learning does not allow the learner or professor to engage in non-verbal communication, even if videoing is allow. Since most of our communication takes place through non-verbals, I think it is a challenge. Online learning also requires students to learn through hearing or reading, as opposed to face to face interactions, role plays, discussions. There are online discussion boards, but some students prefer to learn through actually discussing face to face. Online learning also requires a certain level of self-reliance; being able to keep up with due dates, etc., without being prompted in class.
#3: I suppose it is a myth that when learning online there is NO interaction; most programs offer that capability. I think I hear that online learning is inferior, but I am not sure that online learners actually learn less (sometimes I think online learning is more challenging and students can take away more) #4: Students that are self-starters and able to manage schedules are successful. Written communication skill is very important. Knowledge and experience with technology is also beneficial.
#5: Continued attention to how to allow students to have experiential learning is important. Being a part of an online program myself, I think it is interesting to see how cohorts bond together as a group online vs. face-to-face. Sometimes saying things behind the cloak of a computer allows people to be more verbal (and offensive) than if people are face to face. I'd be really interested in learning more about how that shakes out in online programs and if it is something that can be addressed. Students are reluctant to participate if they are not given a safe environment to do so.
Thanks for your post Liz! You make some very interesting and new points for this blog... first, being the importance and loss of nonverbal communication in online learning. And, while video projects and whatnot are possible, there is something lost regarding the overall communication experience... I would like to further explore what the impact of this loss really is... I know I feel unnerved by it, but I don't know that my overall learning is hampered by it. I also wonder, since you've planted this thought in my head :), if the face of human communication is changing with all of our technological "advances". Is nonverbal communication still as important as we once knew it to be? If not, has something replaced it? If so, what can be done to reconcile the impact?
DeleteI also appreciate your comment regarding the ability to "hide" behind a computer... I certainly feel more brave (sometimes) but also more careful... since the online word is forever and can be revisited and read with someone else's tone and intent. I would also never use this screen to be disrespectful, but I've seen it happen. I imagine these folks likely cross that boundary in other aspects of their lives as well...
Thank for your post... you've definitely given me some food for thought!