Hi Anne,
I agree with you that online education is a terrific benefit to older, busy students. You mentioned that online classes are especially beneficial to "talented" students.
How can course designers ensure that online courses are beneficial to the average student?
I am interested in your thoughts :)
Jane
This is proof that having the ability to take continuing education online such as this when deadlines have to be met is an added benefit to all. Being most of our students are older and do have full-time jobs, to create an option for them to continue some courses online at their own pace while reaping the benefit of achieving their goal would relieve a lot of pressure for some very talented students.
Jane:
Would I hire someone trained in the traditional classroom in to the online world before I would hire someone trained exclusively in the online genre? Interesting thought! [If you grant me some poetic license, whether it is a bookeeper or educator, I think the answer is apllicable.]
The answer to this question hit me immediately! I thought back to my typing class back in high school. Mrs. Jo Hamrick did a valuable thing for us. We learned to type on a manual typewriter. (Do you see where this analogy is going here?)
I believe that the experience with a manual typewriter, strengthened my fingers; increased stroke speed; and instilled confidence in the process. I feel the same about the teacher selection question.
The individual who has performed face-to-face in the educational process, brings a background and / or practicality that the online trained instructor has not experienced in their development as an educator. I prefer to call myself an educator, because that is the final stage of development in our industry.
All of us begin as neophyte teachers. Next, we hope to become instructors. I enjoy being called a professor, but when I speak of my profession to knowledgeable people, I emphasize that I am an "educator."
The person who begins their teaching experience in the classroom, builds a very strong foundation for their development. The person who begins with the online experience, most likely will not have the resources to understand how to compensate for the lack of the teacher's physical presence.
The online tech-savvy person has no experience in developing relationships with the students in this forum. Where would they have this opportunity? Ironically, they would have to attend classes to learn the methodology from a student-savvy educator..........That is irony in the purest form............
Take care,
My original question from this discussion seems to be AWOL. Your overview of the hiring process for online instructors is very thorough.
My original question had to do with a hiring manager's decision when hiring a bookkeeper. If all other qualifications are equal, would you hire the candidate who was trained in a traditional classroom or one who attended an online institution? Are there qualities that each might possess that would make him/her a better employee?
I am interested in your thoughts :)
Jane
I echo Mr. Phillips here. The hiring process is the first place to instill standards and expectations of the instructor position meeting the educational needs to relate the online experience to qualified students. Expressed another way, the criteria for the instructor needs to fit the online requirements and required pedagogy to relate the material to the students.
Administration, Admissions, Curriculum-developers, Human Resources and Academic Deans need to have a meeting of the minds:
Administration needs to convey the compliance issues to Curriculum-developers and Deans.
Admissions must receive a clear understanding of the type of student who will have a greater opportunity to succeed in this environment. Furthermore, they need to know how many students need to be in the program to ensure financial success.
Human Resources and Deans need to have some concrete manner in which they can judge the core abilities of instructors. They must be able to discern the difference between prospects, suspects, and rejects. Consequently, will the school provide the financial and benefits package to attract a solid candidate?
Although this is an overview - at best, if the entities above meet and agree on paper then the future results will be predictable and sustainable for the instructor, student and school.
Jane,
Good question. I think it's quite easy actually to include social skills in an online course. Often times for an assignment I'll ask my students to contact someone in the field of their choice and talk to them about that specific trade. Also, I try to provide them opportunities to use current events as a topic of discussion. Again, it's not the grade as much as it is well-rounded skills.
Thank you for the question. Teya
In fact, I do. I find that the students I teach online vs the students I teach in a classroom are often times more dedicated. Now, that's not always the case. Many of my students are working full time, raising families, and continuing their education, but my online students are often a bit more serious. They searched for this program, qualified and signed up for it, and often times, paid in advance. That puts their focus on success. Also, they are seeking a job change and feel that this is important for them. In a classroom students often just want to pass and move on...in an online class students really are there to learn and do well. It's not always the case, but I feel that students who are taking online classes are dedicated, hardworking, and willing to learn.
Teya
You bring up a terrific point about the importance of social skills. Did your friend's professor offer any insights into the social skills of online vs traditional students?
How do you think social skills can be developed in an online course?
Thanks,
Jane
Teya,
Perhaps you answered this question in one of your other responses to this question but I will post it here anyway...
Do you think there are any traits that an employee trained online would have that an employee trained in a traditional classroom would not?
Thanks :)
Jane
That's a good point. Often times those who are taking online course are showing more iniciative.
It not only has to do with one's education but it also has to do with one's personality. I currently have a friend in medical school and the first lecture that she attended stated that B students make the best doctors. A students spend too much time studying. B students are more social and this is a people oriented profession. This is the same with any workplace. Education can only get you so far if you don't have the personality to back it up. Yeah social skills.
You might also want to check the schools accreditations.
It is important to know what criteria an employer is looking for. It is important as an employer to know who fits that specific criteria as well.
The answer to this question is all of the above. In many fields it is common to test future employees on their knowledge. However, the interview itself is to test personality and compatibility. Those in charge of hiring should be aware of and responding to all of these traits.
Hi Jai,
Boy, I don't know how to answer your question about which types of students are more ethical. I haven't done any research in this area. I have taught extensively online and in the traditional classroom and still don't have an answer for you.
You bring up several good points in your post. You said that traditional classroom students are more "communicative with their instructors". I have not always found this to be the case. For example, students who question a grade they received on an assignment often feel more comfortable emailing and instructor rather than facing the instructor.
Thanks for your input :)
Jane
Jai,in regards to ethics and moral values, that is going to be within an individual character makeup.
l do agree that on-line students do have the extra ability to be more discipline and self motivated and that is what it takes. In traditional education students are at a more relaxed pace an can interact with their peers and the instructors for instant intellectual response about the subject. Both environments can be a rewarding educational experience.
Great Post!!
There are advantages and disadvantages of Online vs Traditional:
Online you can go at your pace but dead line must be met.Online no face to face instructor, but through email and telephone conversation, but at times there is a broken link between the message and interpretation. On the other hand, Traditional classroom students are much more communicative with their instructors, better clarification on subject matter, etc. Classroom setting I think you are more open for class discussion versus online because if you have to reply on one or two post, that's it., but in classroom, students are constantly engaging espaecially if there are a number of points are allocated for Class Participation.
For online degrees, as a CEO I think I will hire the applicant who is more qualified, experience, and have a high degree of ethical and moral values/standards no matter if the applicant degree is through Online or from Traditional Classroom.
Who do you think is more ethical, Taditional Classroom Students or Online Students?
Jai
I'm not quite sure what criteria I would check to see if a school is doing a good job with on-line training. I guess I need to determine what criteria makes a school good at in-class training? I think the first place students look is at the staff. That may be the best place to start when investigating an on-line curriculum.
Steve,
You bring up a good point about checking out the caliber of the school. What criteria would you use to determine if a school is offering a good online education?
Thanks for your input :)
Jane
I still think that the name of the school a student takes on-line courses from is important. So while some say it's the degree that counts - not where it came from, I have to disagree. It is just as important. Many schools offer on-line course but it seems only a handful are doing it really well.
