Some educators feel that distance learning technologies will greatly improve education; some feel education will suffer if they are overused. What are factors you can site in support for each of these positions?
Distance Learning has improved education in many ways. One way is that it allows student's to correspond with other students in other parts of the world instantly. Students no longer have to send letters through mail to correspond with friends abroad. They can utilize these broadcast technologies that are now available. The book mentions the Go North! Adventure Learning utilizing videoconferencing which is live video and audio communications. This technology can be very beneficial in student learning. The use of the Internet has become an excellent tool for students to use to search for materials and information to support their research and production work. The online tutorials are very helpful to students and teachers as well. Teachers can utilize these online tutorials for students that need a reteach or to supplement a skill already taught while he/she works with a small group that might need more help on a skill.
On the other hand, distance learning has caused many issues to arise. The book discussed virtual schooling issues which include curriculum alignment, teacher certification, accreditation, funding and possible negative consequences. It is difficult to align virtual curriculum when the students are all from different states. Many people are not successful with online courses and students tend to drop out more in online environments. Being online can interfere with students being able to develop healthy relationships with other students. It can also impede their socialization skills. They become isolated in their own little world.
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I do not know if students will in fact continue to drop out of online classes like they have currently been, but something needs to change. The future will no doubt have better technology and that means that distance learning is not going away. So we as educators need to find better ways to get students to stick with the choices they made in taking courses online. I know that online distance learning has many benefits and in certain situations it’s essential for proper education. People need options when it comes to education. Cheri good points.
ReplyDeleteI think the issue with distance learning is accountability. For one thing there is no telling who is really doing online work. The bigger issue is that there is no emotional accountability. Without face to face experiences, the students do not have any motivation to "come to class" or any way to really put that class time into their schedule, because it can be done "anywhere". I think most people like being held accountable by their professors and fellow students, I think this is a big issue with online classes.
ReplyDeleteCheri,
ReplyDeleteI believe your statement as well on how teachers can utilize these online tutorials for reteaching students on skills already taught and apply while he/she works with a small group that might need more help on a skill. At my daughter’s school, they have that available just in case if students want to learn more about reading or math etc. I saw it is at a self-paced program. It doesn’t give you a level that would frustrate immediately. Social skills are impeded definitely, I see it in middle school. Students seem to be dependent on all these devices and do not use their creativity and imagination on reading any classic book. Where do we see our students going with all this technology?