The need to evolve education into the coming centuries is a point that Simonson ( 2000), Moller, L., Forshay, W., & Huett, J (2008, May & July), and Huett, J. Moller, L., Forshay, W., & Coleman, C. (2008, September) all make in their articles. I would argue that I agree with the majority of their beliefs concerning technology, education, and online learning. Most online degree programs were considered not a competent way to earn a degree and a majority of that reason was there were not enough quality educators who were in a position to develop the early online programs (Moller, Foshay, Huett, 2008, May). However, with the definition of the “tradition student” ever changing the need for quality online education is being pursued by accredited universities for many reasons. One of the main reasons colleges and universities are pursuing online education degree programs is the learners are asking for these programs and improving these programs will help to keep them in business (Moller, Foshay, & Huett, 2008, July). Online education used to be judged by the amount of hours a learner would log and the information was lacking “basic principles of instructional design” (Moller, Foshay, & Huett, 2008, May). Because of this lack of instructional design, online or distance education had become a place for credit recovery of information that was initially not learned (Huett, J. et. al, 2008). Simplicity and ease is what society craves (Huett, J. et. al, 2008), but in order to create this online education in which learners are asking, society’s opinion must change. The only way to change society’s opinion of online education verse face-to face education is the equivalency theory (Simonson, 2000). “Equivalency is achieved through a variety of learning experiences that are tailored to the environment and situation in which students find themselves” (Simonson, 2000). Giving online instruction can sometimes make the student feel disconnected with the teacher, but there are many technologies that can capture the teacher and the information for the online learner. There are many blogs and websites that provide information for the teacher who wish to learn how to create a better online learning experience. Some of these websites include: Computer-Using Educators (www.cue.org), the thinking stick (http://www.thethinkingstick.com/), and twelve essentials for technology technology innovations (http://content.yudu.com/Library/A18dcc/TwelveEssentialsforT/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yudu.com%2Fitem%2Fdetails%2F59772%2FTwelve-Essentials-for-Technology-Integration). Steve Dickie (2009) informs his readers in his blog about a new technology that seems impressive and very useful to the online learner. This technology is the LiveScribe Pulse pen and it is very cool! Basically what this technology does is create an electronic copy of your notes along with recording an audio lecture. This would be very helpful for a mathematics class so students could follow how a professor works through problems. As an online learner instead of working through many problems by myself and looking through a book, I could be walked through problems by my professor while sitting at home. I am getting the necessary information I need to succeed and the university is getting their money they need to stay open. A great mutualistic relationship is born!
References:
Computer-Using Educators, Inc. (2009, September 8). Retrieved September 16, 2009,
from http://www.cue.org/.
Byrne, R. (n.d.) Twelve essentials for technology innovations. Retrieved September 16,
2009, from
http://content.yudu.com/Library/A18dcc/TwelveEssentialsforT/resources/index.ht
m?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yudu.com%2Fitem%2Fdetails%2F59772
%2FTwelve-Essentials-for-Technology-Integration.
Dickie, S. (2009, September 13). Teaching with technology. Retrieved September 16,
from http://falconphysics.blogspot.com/.
Huett, J., Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Coleman, C. (2008, September). The Evolution of
Distance Education: Implications for Instructional Design on the Potential of the
Web. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, 52(5), 63-
67. Retrieved September 16, 2009, doi:10.1007/s11528-008-0199-9
Moller, L., Forshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008, May). The evolution of distance education:
implications for instructional design on the potential of the web. TechTrends:
Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, 52(3), 70-75. Retrieved
September 12, 2009, doi:10.1007/s11528-008-0158-5.
Moller, L., Forshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008, May). The evolution of distance education:
implications for instructional design on the potential of the web. TechTrends:
Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, 52(3), 70-75. Retrieved
September 12, 2009, doi:10.1007/s11528-008-0158-5
Simonson, M. (2000, Winter). Making decisions: the use of electronic technology in
online classrooms. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, Retrieved
September 12, 2009, from Academic Search Premier Database.
Utecht, J. (2009, September 16). The learning stick. Retrieved September 16, 2009, from
http://www.thethinkingstick.com/.
Online learning is good for those who do not have to be in a classroom. I do not feel that it will replace the school and college buildings. To take online courses you have to be disciplined. Some people feel that because it is online that can wait to the last minute, but that does not work.
ReplyDeleteAlthough we have taken on-line courses, after reading these articles don't you question whether they are appropriate for your learning style? Many distance education students have jobs or careers that arevtime demanding, yet they take online courses to earn advance degrees. As you look at your resources for each module, do you consider how much time you must dedicate to each class weekly if not nightly to stay on schedule? Distance education has advanced over the years and is beginning to gain some legitimacy over the last decade. I think it will still be some time before online degrees will be given the respect they are due.
ReplyDeleteAs far as using tools like LiveScript, I could see limited use when you consider the costs. Wouldn't using podcasts to review lessons whenever you like and as many times as you like be less expensive and more convenient?
Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI see your points in your posting. Podcasts could be cheaper considering the application that is used for them. The LiveScript was just a neat gadget to talk about in the discussion and one that I had not seen before mentioned.
I do spend a great deal of time daily staying on track with the assignments. The readings are not too bad and I think learners have been conditioned to learn in a certain way based on teaching methods. If the teaching methods did not mesh with my learning style when I was growing up I had to laern the information anyway. Yes, not all information was easy for me to understand right away and my parents certainly were not calling the school complaining that their children were in the wrong classes and/or to much work was being given.
I had a parent email me once and tell me their child could not do the homework that weekend becuase they were traveling to see family...come to find out on Monday when I asked the student how the weekend went...the family had a gathering at a college campus for a football game! True story!
Considering all the reasons people select on line learning to face to face learning, the designers of online learning must remember the different learning styles, feedback and time allocation distance learners must schedule to keep up in class. The idea of being able to work very late at night or early in the morning is appealing for those of us with schedules that are not regular. I agree that distance learning is becoming more credible, but it isn't there yet. About the Smart Pen, I am using one in my school's Teacher Advancement Program to script teachers as they teach. Being as accurate as possible about what they say and do in class is critical as the final observations are tied to their cash bonuses. I think this is a wonderful tool for that purpose. I don't like the cost or learning to use it on my own.
ReplyDelete