Characteristics of Dynamic Learning Environments
What essential characteristic distinguishes dynamic learning environments from conventional environments?
Suzanne,
I agree - this delivery model provides opportunity to connect directly with individual students while still maintaining the learning community of the entire group. It makes it easier to address learning issues as well as follow up to check for understanding.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
I find that I am able to offer more individual attention in on-line classes than in the classroom. I used to worry about not being able to create meaningful academic relationships with on-line only students, but I have found this is not the case.
For each class I teach regularly, I have a number of examples and ways of explaining the more challenging concepts. I can email these helpful aides or discuss them over the phone. Because I am not locked into specific hours for class and Office Hours, I am able to reach more of my students on a regular basis for individual attention.
Brandon,
I agree - seeing the purpose of something makes all the difference in engaging students and keeping them focused.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
In a word - - relevance. If the student, any student no matter age, sees what they may be learning as important to them (even if they don't process it as "learning", or the act of learning it as "relevant") then they will be interested, committed, and take responsibility for it.
Kathy,
Yes, that mix is usually successful with students. Those who like the F2F contact are happy but it still also provides a more interactive environment with the asynchronous tools as well.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
I have taught hybrid courses where part of our class meets online, and then we meet on campus one day a week. The feedback from the students was almost always positive. I find students like meeting one day to collaborate and have the opprotunity for group learning. They also like the benefits of online instruction.
Nancy,
Very true! With new technology, visual learners can benefit not only from actual images but from the visual flow and logic of learning itself.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Most humans do not look upon change with easy eyes especially if a way of teaching has been habituated to a specific behavior. Oftentimes, change requires not just knowledge transfer but a total replacement of previous information. This is not easy but oftentimes necessary for one's career.
I enjoy the learning process no matter what the content. I remember when I first began teaching online over ten years ago. I was excited to learn all about the learning management system. I was intrigued about the processes of connecting with students in different and varied platforms. The Discussion Boards are exciting for me because I can support student learning with dynamic and embedded content and in that way "flip" the classroom. I can't imagine teaching only face to face unless I integrated the "flipped" classroom where students are able to participate in more dynamic ways.
Education and the delivery of learning is changing rapidly. My niece, who is in high school, is required to take an online course during the summer break. I rejoiced when she told me. In essence, she is being prepared for her future, technology-driven education.
I'm a professor in a Visual Communications program. That being said, I am always seeking ways to make online courses more VISUAL in order to integrate a more dynamic learning environment. I add images, videos, image specific tutorials and any news bites that bring the learning experience into the visual arena.
In addition, I encourage, suggest and sometimes require students to add images to discussion board content. I remind students that we are a visual species and that examples help to define and concretize the learning experience.
As the old saying goes: a picture is work a thousand words. In today's fast-paced technology driven world, I think a dynamic image is worth a gazillion words!
Donna,
Good points...and, of course, providing opportunity for students to learn for themselves so as to best address individual preferences and needs.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
You want to really engage and have students analyze the course content. This can involve using content that relates to multiple learning styles. You can also have the option of having online and hybrid courses. A dynamic learning environment is one where the interest in motivating students is important.
Faith ,
Planning and review are huge in dynamic learning - review must be continuous, however, not only at the end of a course. It takes me a full week to plan initially and then about 3 times a week during a course. The more you template things the more time efficient you become. Also, the more self-directed and constructive assignments are, the more students run with things.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
What is the average time involved in preping for the student's needs and interaction assists? Does it get easier or more time consuming as you include updates and newer features?
As stated in the course, the "best of both worlds" is the most essential characteristic. Today's students are always connected, always on, and this approach allows them to use the tools they already rely on constantly, in addition to the enjoyable human element of face-to-face interaction.
To begin they open the door for multiple learning styles. Some students that shy away in a classroom setting can come alive int eh online environment, given the time to perhaps sit and think out a matter in their own, un-pressured time. The converse could be said as well, I suppose, as those less confident online still have the f2f they require/seek.
What essential characteristic distinguishes dynamic learning environments from conventional environments?
• the use of technology
• flexibility for students in terms of providing asynchronous connection, interaction, and communication
• dynamic communication
• learner autonomy
Edward,
Yes, the students can take the lead in their own learning process much more effectively and the role of the instructor simply changes but is in no way diminished. Good points!
Dr. Ruth Reynard
I have had to teach in both forums. There are major differences between the two. In a standard class environment, students can be too reliant.This may cause them to make it through the course only gaining working knowledge and not the full skill that they should. This can happen in the hybrid, but it seems to be more on the instructor for not following through.
People get confused sometimes when they view my classes with the dynamics we use, due to the time the students are preping for their skill sets and I am just observing. What they failed to see is all the prep time it took the instructor to get to that point. The accountability for me is greater with the dynamics since our students maybe at a different pace in their learning which is to their advantage, but for the instructor they need to manage better to do more one on or personal attention to the student needs.
James,
So it is interesting why the potential of the technology is still often ignored and linear instructional designs still preferred - my opinion is that it leads students to frustration as they have an intuitive expectation of high interaction and customization the more they use the technology. Good points...
Dr. Ruth Reynard
