This is an interesting topic and one I was considering writing my thesis on. I think that some people just cannot learn in an online environment and for those they will always need a classroom. However, with how expensive gas and everything is getting and with the number of people who are out of work online learning is becoming very popular. Companies in the effort to save costs with travel, hotels etc are opting for online learning for their in house users. This is a very interesting subject.
Hi Fredrik, it seems that most institutions are moving to some form of online instruction to help overcome limited resources. Tina
We are using more on line training than ever bfore, but I believe there is still a place for class room instruction.
I don't think that online learning will completely replace the traditional classroom. I do, however, see the potential for the majority of classes moving to a blended model. 5 years ago, I would have thought it unreasonable to think that education would move in this direction. However, I think that in every job these students will have, they will have to participate in webinars, conference calls, etc. We are just setting them up for what their careers will hold by insisting they get comfortable with technology and distance learning
Hi Julie, at my institution we offer an online speech class. Learners use Adobe Connect a web conferencing system to deliver their live speeches. It's been very successful! Tina
I think that online teaching is becoming more and more present in the learning environment however I don't think that it will completely replace the traditional classroom. There still needs to be come classes with the traditional environment. For example how would a speech class function in the online environment?
Julie
Hi Melissa, I love online learning too! I agree with you that it replaces the lecture and focuses on interactions to build critical thinking and construct knowledge. Tina
I disagree. Online learning will never totally replace the traditional classroom setting. I believe it is the wave of the future for many, and personally I love online education.
For other students, some are more traditional classroom learners. Online education does have an impact on the delivery of instruction, the approach is less lecture time frame and more interactive discussions with the classroom students.
Hi Stacy, my son goes to the University of Central Florida and most of his classes are streamed live, so he doesn't have to attend any f2f classes. He is taking finals this week and students go into a computer lab to take their test, so this university is definitely looking at the online environment as the future. Tina
I think online classes will replace traditional. There are more and more colleges offering the online as well as classroom courses. People that have families do benifit from doing classes online. It is financially cheaper for collegesto do online courses and I believe many more colleges will turn on classes to the online community.
Hi Annie, I think dental assisting and medical assisting is better suited for a blended learning environment, since it requires hands-on experience. Tina
I don't think online learning will completely replace the traditional classroom. It depends on what you are studying. Dental assisting and medical assisting students still need to do lab work. How can that be accomplished online?
Hi Elizabeth, I am sure that online will not replace the traditional classroom; however, it is providing opportunities for many people who would not be able to attend college if they had only the traditional classroom option! Tina
There is a place for online learning but I will be sad to see it replace the traditional classroom! For one thing older students find technology very threatening and will often avoid classes that are only online. The other nice thing about a classroom is the social interaction between students and teachers that somehow cannot be recreated in an online environment. But I think online has it benefits and hopefully most colleges will continue to offer both.
I disagree. I teach both site based and online classes and many of my onsite students like the ability to create friendships, feel a strong sense of community and rapport, and like the ability to be a part of a live classroom experience.
Online learning is quite appropriate for those who live far away from an actual campus, work odd hours, or travel for work.
I agree that the future will necessitate the need for online learning to continue to grow and evolve. People lead busy lives and students do not want to adjust their schedule to make room for education but want education to come to them at the time that suits their schedule.
Hi Angela, I think you make an excellent point about the type of student and the subject matter having an influence on the delivery mode. Learners online have to be much more self-directed, so an independent learner is a better candidate. Tina
Hi Earle, can you expand on how being student centered correlates with whether a course is delivered online or face-to-face? Tina
Hi Martha, I think having the capability to see and hear in the online environment can establish more presence, so as technology becomes more available and widespread, I think we will see more of these technologies used. Tina
The colleges I teach at do not require the students to attend online chats, which I feel should be a requirement in the online arena. I do not feel that online learning with replace the traditional classroom any time soon. The students need to interact in some kind of face to face arena before this occurs. Will students be required to have access to a video cam and microphone so they can interact in online learning prior?
