Yes, Chris. So the actual learning and completion process must be assessed and not the end task only. There are various ways to accomplish, so we as instructors must analyze and assess those methods in truly evaluating student work.
Yes, Pierre, good points. So thinking as well as use of information can be supported, enhanced and enriched, What does this mean in terms of the challenge to instructors relative to preparation, planning and instructional design?
I agree that the use of the internet has opened students horizons; however you are absolutely correct that there is a need to update the way that assignments are evaluated. There is so many questionable sources that are rampant on the internet. Not only is it easy for students to gather inaccurate information, it is soo much easier for students to plagiarize. For this reason the technology used to evaluate assignments also needs to be increased and implemented along with also integrating good researching skills. Facilitators need to ensure that higher levels of accountability are included in their classroom instruction both online and offline. In this way students are taught critical thinking and how to filter through inaccurate information in order to find qualified and accurate information. It is also possible to create interactive flash video's and quizzes that require students to learn information before they can continue through the exercise.
The internet can be a powerful learning tool to instructors if students are engaged. More exposure to the topics, unlimited access to knowledge, open discussion and informal structure support a stimulating environment for the learner education.
Vanessa, the blended approach would work well in your situation. I have lived through that scenario as well and using the Internet to provide instructional tools (discussion, chat, grades etc.)rather than as a delivery mechanism is usually accepted in such a context.
I am new to this. Our instituition does not allow internet teaching. I come from an environment of blackboard I used throughout my graduate education. I am trying desperately to integrate this blended teaching method. What can anyone suggest? I do like the idea of the internet to facilitate learning.When I first arrived at this campus I requested facebook as a medium for communication and correspondence. It was denied. With our busy lives and adults retuning to school the internet is a wonderful tool.
It has brought more research capabilities. It has created a more resourceful and more visual educational aid.
Another great idea of having students post their own work on Youtube. Such interaction will allow students to utlitze their technical skills while posting their thoughts through the learning process.
Excellent idea of connecting with students through a media they are familiar with such as Youtube. You will enlist more interaction with the use of such popular media.
Students today are more technology adept and utilizing this form of communication is more effective with the new generation of students.
That's great, Patti, and it also provides tools that students can use to actually publish their ideas and work - the technology helps students gather and produce information: great way to increase stdent confidence.
The internet has definately helped me in my classroom. Lots of times, I will use it to bring up interesting facts related to the day's topic, interesting videos, you tube is great for mini videos. Also, I use it to find quick answers that I do not know the answer to. The internet is definately something I use on a daily basis and have become part of a norm for my classrooms.
I like your comments, Katherine, as instructor intervention and facilitation are key in the use of the Internet with students. One thought - while things are certainly faster with new technology, some of the challenges for instructors remain the same - helping students know and use good information as welll as taking the time to process and understand information :)
The Internet has openned up a Pandora's box of information for faculty and students. While this information can be used successfully to augmented classes, the challenge I find is twofold. First, helping them to understand what information is credible and what is probably garbage. For this we actually have a separate class called Information Literacy that tries to give the students guidelines. The second challenge is getting the students to slow down enough to learn how to communicate the information they have learned effectively. Unfortunately, I have found that self-directed learning often leads to misinformation that is badly communicated, thus it violates my teaching mission, to prepare the students for the outside world.
So, Carla, the Internet increases delivery and participation - very true. How can assignments be designed to maximize the technology?
The internet has made the instrutional process more effective. In fact implementing assignments by use of the computer allows the student to be be more invovled in the learining/instructing process.
Indeed, however, the research must be contextualized well for the student and have a practical application so that he/she will remember it. So, while there are so many information sources, our job as sintructors must continually be to guide, support, and evaluate the process and application of that information alongside the student's efforts.
The most logical method is doing research. However I believe research can come in many forms: articles & journals, youtube, blogs, etc. A wealth of information is at the student's fingertips.
Indeed, Kim, and learning to use the Internet well, will help students go on learning even during employment. Good points...
Do you think that integrating the Internet also changes how students think, use and apply information? If so, how should this change how we plan instruction and work with students as they learn?
I think that we have a great opportunity with the internet and today's technology that instructor's really need to find ways to incorporate it into whatever they are teaching,if for no other reason than to train students on all that is available today. Students today will have a very realistic expectation that they are being taught using everything available. Employers will be looking for students who are capable of using not just basic technology, but social media as well.
I believe all courses should include requirements that students must use the internet in some compacity for papers, projects and research. Our school requires that all projects, papers and research have at least 1 citation from our virtual library.
