Reflect on this comment in Chapter 5 and post your response in this blog:
Right now, the majority of formal education is still carried out in the “traditional” manner of bringing students together in classes taught by a faculty member. However, CAL, DL, and hybrid courses are beginning to take a significant bite out of this approach.
Self-assess your current experiences in CAL, DL, and hybrid courses, Help features on a
computer, and other non-traditional aids to learning. What are you doing to gain increased
expertise in learning in such learning environments? Which activities do you find most helpful? If you could, what changes would you make to online learning?
Check back later in the week read comments by others and respond to at least two others.
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10 comments:
Well, let's be honest, the same classroom lectures performed by professors tend to be a bit boring and monotonous. We are paying a good chunk of money to gain a higher level of education and are receiving less than mediocre lessons. It takes an experienced teacher who can use the tools that are available to educate their students.
I have found in my experiences with class that are online as well as hybrids classes are more convenient and sometimes less boring if we are in the comforts of our own home. I have access to online information (and other distractions... :) ) that help make the experience better. There are so many ways to make lessons more interactive and fun. The internet has an endless amount of options, often free, to help lessons become a feast of information.
I love online classes! I live 35 minutes away from both campuses (and at Tempe, I have the cheap parking permit, requiring a half hour of walking from my car to my classes) and I have an odd schedule, so taking classes from home is so much more convenient. I like having the freedom to do my homework at 2AM in my nightgown with some music or the TV on if I want to. I like being able to do my work when I want to.
I've taken a lot of online classes, and they're all structured differently. I would say the ones with a firm and clear structure, utilizing the announcements page are the best. I've had some teachers who were really disorganized, and it was extremely hard to figure out due dates, expectations, etc. I like the discussion boards, because I'm shy about talking in front of a whole class, and writing it down is so much easier.
Meanwhile, I hate when teachers try to get all fancy with the voice boards, etc. It's expensive and it takes a lot longer to load and listen to 53 voice messages, than to read them.
I took an online class a couple of years ago and it was so absolutely boring, I didn't enjoy it at all and was so glad when it was over. I also had a difficult time making myself do the work. I do much better in traditional classrooms with people and structure. I find them much more interesting and I enjoy being around other students. I, unfortunately will be starting another online class at rio-salado beginning of next week - so we'll see how that goes. It is actually a Hybrid class, so I will be taking the tests at some location. I will say though, online learning is excellent because it opens up the possibility of an education to many people who are elderly or homebound etc. Modern technology is fabulous because it helps so many more people become educated, which I believe is the most vital part of having a healthy prosperous community!
Although I had never taken an on-line class until last semester, I guessed that I wouldn't be found of the structure...and I was right. I pretty much hated them. I am a hands-on person. It is easier for me to write and take notes and ask questions as they arise in a lecture versus not getting a lecture, feeling like I am teaching myself, and then waiting days for a response to a question.
Objectively, I do think that DL and CAL courses are a great concept, especially when dealing with schedule issues--the very reason I was forced to take on-line classes last semester. There are people who learn better in an on-line environment. In addition, I have found that the experience can be different with the right teacher.
Most of the time, it feel like lazy, overpaid teachers choose on-line classes and really don't teach, then there's those who are crazy and give you 4 times the workload as a traditional class and claim that they are making up for not being in a classroom. But, I do have one on-line class this semester and I find that she professor is attentive, knowledgeable, instructive, available, etc, and I enjoy the class. I think you have to be especially skilled to teach what I would call a successful on-line class and many are not.
-To increase my learning in CAL and DL environments, I ask a lot of questions of anyone who will respond and test out a lot of self teaching via the internet, which I find very time-consuming and therefore annoying.
-I like the discussion boards because it helps to read others ideas and interpretations, but I don't like to be required to read all posts and respond excessively; there just is not enough time for that.
-I would change the loose structure of on-line learning. It would still have flexibility, but hold more teachers accountable for actually teaching and being organized, etc.
Kristina,
I also prefer the traditional classroom setting. It just fits better with my personality and learning habits. It seems more structured and organized, which I need to stay somewhat sane. Although on-line classes are not my preference, one good thing is that I got to avoid one of my fears…speaking in front of people for a presentation, etc.
Kelly-
Although I definitely do not love on-line classes…I have hated most of them, I do agree with several of your point regarding them. They definitely have the convenient factor going for them: you save gas, you can work around a work schedule, you also save on paper from printing costs, and as you mentioned, you can attend sessions in your pajamas.
I also agree that many teachers are different and it makes a huge difference on which type you get. I need that structure and organization that some lack. To me, it is the professor and the curriculum, as well as, the set-up that makes or breaks the on-line experience for me.
Lastly, I absolutely relate to your shyness and that is what I hate about traditional classes…presentations and speeches, etc.
I can definitely see why some of you guys don't like online classes--they're definitely not for everyone, and sometimes having the structure, and being able to practice with in-person supervision and examples on the board upfront can really help you master the curriculum.
Kristina, I totally agree about online classes opening up educational opportunities for people who might not otherwise have them. A few years ago, there was a pregnant woman in my class who was able to take a whole courseload of classes from home. When the baby was born, she was able to stay with him, while at the same time getting credit for her classes. It was great!
Khaleeyah,you're completely right about the difference in difficulty levels and preparation levels of online teachers. I had one who didn't put up due dates or tell us the requirements until an entire month into class. In person, a teacher would never get away with that. Meanwhile, I had Psych 101 with a teacher who recorded his lectures and put 4 hours a week of them online, followed by an hour long test, and lengthy papers. Psychology 101! Talk about overcompensating. Most of my online teachers have been pretty good though, and seemed to know what they were doing.
Kelly: I definately agree with you on how convenient online classes are. As of right now I am watching a show I recorded on the DVR while writing this. The convenience factor is huge. But the downside to online classes is missing out on the questioning period, being able to ask questions face to face. It is nice when classes are hybrid.
Khaleeyah: Your comment about the overpaying teachers who don't teachers really touched a button when I read that. It is really so true. I have one coming up in a few weeks that is only for a month, and nothing is yet on the site. I mean, I would hope to prepare myself but I can't. They are paid better money than most and yet we are limited to our learning so to speak.
All of you made some really good points. Online classes are definitely not for everyone. They are super convenient ,and I personally like not spending as much on gas getting to and from campus. I do think that for many teachers, online may be new experience too, and that's where gliches can occur in communication in such.
I really prefer online classes, and have taken many. But they are not for everyone since they are structured differently and usually require more work. That's why I think its great that so many professors are using Blackboard to interface with students, I also have a professor who does a class website to interface. That helps get your feet wet, so your more comfortable when taking a hybrid or online class.
I've never had an online course yet. Reading the other posts has really given me some insight into the pros & cons. Since I work full-time during the day I can only fit in a couple of night classes during the week. Also, not everything is offered at night. So I will have to take some online classes soon not only just to get all my requirements but speed up the process so it doesn't take me years and years to finish. I'm looking forward to the convenience of working them around my full schedule and being able to do them in my pajamas :-) but I will REALLY miss the classroom interaction and instant feedback of a regular class. I also enjoy meeting the other students. I also really hope the online classes don't deliberatley add more "busy" work just to feel legit...or leave me hanging waiting for the details I need...as was mentioned previously. I think the story of the pregnant woman who was able to take a schedule from home with her baby is a perfect example of how online classes can really meet a need excellently. It sounds like a hybrid is the way I would want to start out.
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