Will online schools replace traditional ones?
At one of my schools, which has both hybrid and online classes, we are being told that with the burgeoning online system of education, we need to make available many more virtual classes (despite an economy that seems to be challenging both in-seat and online enrollment in all of my schools). I love the live interaction of a classroom, but the idea of online teaching becoming more prevalent intrigues me as I consider retiring into the mountains and continue to travel around the world. What do you all think of this trend?
Ramonica,
I agree with you. I do think you can develop that interaction, it is just different. I find that the reading should be about the same, students just don't think they have to read the content.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I agree 100% Ginger in regards to the personal face to face interaction. I do believe that online learning is convenient, but there is a lot of reading involved. I do however feel that if the student is in the same classroom with the instructor, it may help them gain the personal feel and could possibly contribute to the success factor. While online some people may just feel like a face behind the screen and that could also play an integral part in the success factor.
gene ,
I agree whole heartily with you. Good teaching is good teaching no matter what vehicle you use.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
a wonderful response that i agree with & will soon live in other countries for extended periods & teach some online courses. l love hybrib courses & enjoy using the technology to improve my efforts in F2F courses: we need both approaches to improve teaching.
Elke,
You make great points. I don't think everyone has the skills to complete online ed. We do have to have some realistic conversations regarding this with our students.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I am with you, I like the interaction with students. I work in adult education and I have all types of ages and not everyone is a type for online courses. I am worried that this is the future trend because I teach both and the grades are always worse if it is not in the classroom.
Jeff,
You are right. Good teaching is good teaching, there are just different vehicles. Someone not something has to connect everything!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I think everytime a new technology, some discussion begins about the end of the traditional classroom. I remember when video technology became more prevelant in the 80s, there was some discussion of the tradional classroom coming to an end or even less teachers because we could video a few and show it. Technology can teach, but what the classroom provides is the ability to furher learning by asking questions that extend beyond the lesson. The teacher furthers the learning even further. For instance, watching a movie/lms/etc, can inspire a student to learn more about the topic and the student can ask questions and beging a discussion after the movie/lms/etc, to further learning and insterest. The technoligy is just the ehicle for learning, but not the main source.
David,
What a great post! I think we may move more to the middle of a blended course. Students are students no matter what the delivery is! We need to recognize that.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Hello.
I currently teach a combination of traditional and online courses. I have students in my on-ground courses with under-developed basic skills. I also have students who need a large amount of enocuragement and hand holding. A few years ago I would have thought that my experience with these students supported the ever-lasting nature of face to face education. However, I have had students with simijlar skills and needs in my online coursees and they have done very well. So I think that there may come a day when the face to face course is a relic. But I think it may be morer the case that the 1005 face to face class will become obsolete, like the type writer, phone book, and "car phone."
I have learned that we are getting so caught up in the delivery we forget that teaching is teaching. That is the best way to come the fear of robot teaching down. Chickering and Gamson's 7 Principles of Good Undergraduate Education holds true regardless of online, blending, or f2f.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
We are currently in the transition phase of offering blended learning and teaching from "the cloud" within a class room setting. Fear of the unknown is running wild on campus as many traditional instructors who are not comfortable with technology struggle with this concept. Does anyone have any suggestions to ease the transition? The fear of the holographic replacement is commical but a reality for some. It's the "techies" vs. the "paper users" on who will be the successful one at the end of the line. Education to staff on how to use the products should be implemented in advance of the class room introduction.
Yaw,
I think that students should take courses in both environments. There are skills that they will learn from both. I think instructors should take courses online to learn more about the environment.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
David,
I don't know if I want an employee that never "went to class" you are right, there are social norms that are taught in an brick and mortar setting.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Ginger,
You are correct! Why can't we take the best stuff of both worlds and make both online and f2f better? Just asking. . . .
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Margarette,
Can I say AMEN sister? It is amazing that in higher we don't embrace change on any level! I do agree that all online will not be the future of all courses. I do think that the blended model will be more where education goes. My concern is that self direction will be the key and the k-12 does not prepare students for that type of environment no does mom and dad. (I will now get off my soapbox) :)
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
not likely as students will, for the immediate future, still respond effectively and have their output more immediately judged with a face to face teacher.
Davis,
tha is so true. Initially, it was thought that the online education concept would eventually disappear but now that it has taken hold, the question as to what it can replace the traditional education is under discussion.
Clearly, there are those who can perform better in the tradional settings and they should have that option. Therefore, I do not believe total replacement is an option.
Online schools certainly offer a viable option to students that have challenges with work, family, transportation, schedule,location etc. It may even mean that they could not obtain an education otherwise. Having said that, there will always be students who do not have those challenges and function and learn better in a class environment where there is more discipline and structure, as well as the social benefits to be derived from associating with the other students in a class environment. Therefore I believe online learning will never replace the traditional class environment; but it provides a wonderful alternative. I believe both options should be made available to students.
