Wow, I have been contemplating this topic on and off for a few years and what I have seen in skill/trade schools is Yes onlie learning is replacing traditional classrooms. Froma business school viewpoint financially it makes sense. You can pay your instructors less and keep them on a part-time adjunct basis so benefits are also at a low or nonexistent. This also makes since for students who are working full time one and even two jobs to pay thier bills and school who need the convenience and flexibility. However, I don't think that most students relaize the time managment it takes just as a classroom does for studying, reading, discussiona and completing work assignments. It is not an easier way to get through college just a different method.
Christina,
Assuming online instruction remains mostly text-based and in its current format, I couldn't agree with you more. However, do you think improvements in technology may minimize this difficulty? Sometimes audiovisual interaction can be just as good as face-to-face by providing the opportunity of the nonverbal cues and voice inflections that make face-to-face invaluable. Any thoughts? Thank you for your participation and contribution in this discussion.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Adam,
Thank you for your perspective and insights. There are many who are in agreement with you. Yet, there are others who seem to feel technology will eventually (a few decades) get to the point where any training/education can be accomplished over the Internet. To address your example, medical schools, electronic "manikins" with many different sensor arrangements can accommodate practice for multiple procedures from phlebotomy to organ replacements. These technologies are currently under development in governmental settings and will probably not be available/feasible for mainstream education for quite a while. However, some educators believe it is feasible to replace the face-to-face with the online when combined with video tutorials, recorded practice sessions, distance instructors/doctors, and sensor equipment to monitor the students'performance. It will be interesting to see this unfold. Thank you for your thoughtful discussion post.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
As an instructor and a past online student I do see that online is growing out there, but do I see it taking over absolutley not.
The reason being, I know its a bit easier but one of the cons I have come across is I've noticed that a student who has had the instructor in class and has had a face to face encounter then moved from classroom to online, the students grades have dropped. I feel some learn much better with the instructor in front of them then with no face to face.
Dr. Vaillancourt and Colleagues,
Do you think that online learning will supplement - rather than replace - traditionally-formatted courses?
Some courses, like those taught in medical schools, are impossible to teach online. However, those courses can include hybridized supplements (websites, videos, etc.) where students can go to get more information. They can also include asynchronous discussions, and the use of social media tools to review key course content.
This online component, then, can energize the face-to-face portions of these classes that must be taught in person. However, it's simply not possible that online learning will replace the traditional classroom, as the traditional classroom has been in existence for too long, and students also want options when it comes to their education.
How do others feel?
Kimberly,
I understand, as I type this text, exactly which you mean. And I agree wholeheartedly. However, if online classes were communicating asynchronously through audiovisual files where body language, voice inflection and other "human" communications are shared, would that be close enough to cause people to embrace the advantages of distance education and abandon the traditional classroom?
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Sandra,
Your explanation of the online environment is a very good description of the current status with current technology, policies and procedures. I agree with your statement about the socialization within the educational environment. As many social constructivists would purport, social engagement is a strong component of learning. However, with so much on the Internet (Facebook, YouTube, MySpace, etc.) changing the way people socialize through video and audio at a distance, could eventual technology improvements someday evolve distance instruction and socialization to replace the traditional classroom?
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
While I want to say yes, my heart says no. People want human interaction. They want to see body language and engage in discussion in person.
Hi. I do not believe that online will replace the traditional classroom. I believe that both have value and ground versus online is a matter of personal preference. I believe that students who are right out of high school would still prefer a ground setting. Many are very sociable and like the classroom setting and presence. This goes beyond the instructor communication, but is also about socialization. This is a culture that we still need – young people who learn skills to relate to others.
I believe the preference for online is focused on the adult learner - one who has a family, full-time job, or may have delayed getting an education. For many, online education is a necessity in order for the individual to continue making a living while attempting to further educational goals to increase earning potential.
Both have value, but I do not believe that online will or should replace ground campuses. However, ground students may accentuate their ground instruction with general education courses. I find this to be the case at the for profit school that I facilitate courses.
Marcia,
Again, your focus is in the right place. Focusing on the students' needs and accomplishing the instructional objectives are the two primary questions for consideration. In many content areas of study the online classroom is already been proven to be more than adequate. However, in some areas advancement in instructional techniques and technology are needed.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Online classes are gaining more and more legitimacy and are fast becoming a valid alternative to traditional classes. The question of online teaching programs versus traditional teaching programs is not a question of which offers the better education, but what education technique serves the students' needs better.
Andrew,
I agree that there will always be those who value the f2f over the virtual, even when the virtual becomes very much like the f2f (e.g. 3D interactivity via life-sized, 'surroundroom' video conferencing), but do you think the availability of the institutional f2f classroom will ever go away as the demand decreases? As technology ger better and cheaper, could it make the traditional class room economically obsolete?
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Ginny,
Excellent insights. I believe all of your statements are very possible, and most are likely (over the next several decades). Like you stated, we may not be around to see it, but then again...?!?
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Shana,
This is a good, reasonable answer for the foreseeable future. Some things just need the 'real world' experience to provide optimal learning. Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I think that while online learning will become a huge part of the learning process,it will never quite replace the traditional because there will always be those who value the physical experience of classroom learning and see it as an integral part of their overall learning experience.
Hi Dr. V,
The technological growth in my lifetime is astounding. If you think about it, students today do not even know what an 8-track player is or the fine tuning on the television dial. My nieces and nephews, who are in high school, cannot even remember a time without cable or satellite television. When I explain life without remotes, the first question is, "How did you turn the TV on, change the channel or adjust the volume?" I quickly explain that all of these things were done by getting up and turning the dials on the television. When they respond with looks and sounds of horror. I inform that at least we didn't have to change the channel...because we only had one station, they are simply astounded!!!
In light of this, do I think we are moving towards a virtual only classroom? Absolutely! Perhaps, not in my lifetime, but it would not surprise me. As someone mentioned in an earlier post, I believe that we will be able to accomplish almost any task from the comfort of our home.
The next question is, "Do I believe this is good thing?" My answer would be, no. I believe that technology is phenomenal. It is a great tool, one that can enhance our learning, communication and everyday lives. However, when it becomes a lifeline we, as humans, could lose our ability to communicate publicly and actively function in the outside world. Over time, we would become somewhat of a "Matrix" type society. If we never had to leave our homes to accomplish anything, we would have to consider the additional problems that would come with that. Things like obesity, diabetes, exercise, etc would all become more of a problem than they are currently. It could be devastating.
No, I don not think online learning will ever completely replace the traditional classroom. However, I do think that it has and will continue to enhance the traditional classroom experience. More and more I see students becoming more and more interested in online / hybrid classes even at the high school level.
I think educators must be skilled in both arenas and that some classes may lend itself to being fully online while others can use a hybrid approach.
Ervin,
I'm not sure that is an 'across-the-board' experience. I have been involved with several different institutions (mainly allied health) that are experiencing tremendous growth in online programs. Without mentioning names, what type of institutions have you recognized to experience dropping enrollments? Thank you for your contributions.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Disagree.
It seems that online learning (although I love it) is more costly. Also over the last year there has been a lot of negative feedback about online learning and enrollment seems to be dropping.
Miguel,
Good call. Your prognostication already underway...that deeper blending is already occurring at many institutions. Some project that technology will develop (in a few decades) to the point where '3D' video-conferencing over the internet will be almost the same as "working side by side." It could be exciting. Thank you for your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
