Technology
Online technology has provided opportunities for students who simply are not in a location or position to attend face-to-face. It's made a tremendous impact on higher education.
Simone,
Isn't that cool! That give you unique opportunities to develop a learning community that would never happen in f2f. That is the beauty of online learning.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I could not agree with you more. While technology comes with its own inherent issues, the opportunity to engage learners from a variety of places (including places where there simply might not be opportunities for on-ground learning) is amazing and fascinating to me. In a virtual class I am currently teaching, while I am based out of one state, I have students from all over the country and even from 2 other countries.
Donald,
I haven't thought about your observation but it is really something to think about. We do know that power is finding and controlling information and the message, not necessarily creating the message itself. I am going to ponder the term "collective consciousness."
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
What the internet is helping to achieve is a collective consciousness. Please understand that collective knowledge is far superior to expert knowledge. Experts can be biased, and their opinions can be bought for a price. However collectively, knowledge of this sort is rarely biased and cannot be purchased. It is the difference between the power of the many and the power of the few.
Francis,
You make a great point. You don't want to overwhelm your students with technology. Confidence is build with success. You have a great strategy.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
At our insttitution we are fortunate to have some pioneers who have made some good tutorials. What I find is that you must customize tutorials to get effective engagement. Students must get a few "quick wins" and rapid feedback to encourage them to them.motivated to use the technology. I also try not to overload them with features. Frankly, I end up learning tricks and shortcuts from them as the class moves along.
Stanley,
It does, does your institution provide that overview tutorial or do you have to make your own.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
An introductory class that provides an introduction to the tools to be used and an overview of how students can use those tools most effectively would be very helpful.
Nancy ,
That is true, so how to we engage them with technology that provides engagement with you and the other students?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
