Janelle,
The Internet does provide easy and direct access to much more information than any one teacher can offer. The role of the teacher, however, is to guide and direct the use of that information within the learning context. Good points!
Dr. Ruth Reynard
The internet allows immediate access to the most up to date information and media. It allows students and instructors to insert video clips, hyperlinks, web pages, etc. into the learning environment. I teach a narrow technical field and am a member of an online professional community. I am able to log onto the site during class and access current information and industry related topics; this also enables the student to witness the commitment to life-long learning present in the community.
Daniel,
I agree - access is central to the technology. I would also suggest that the actual heightened interaction can increase student engagement in learning.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
The internet is the backbone of computer mediation. Unlike the education process prior to online teaching where the process never changed (that is, primarily stand up lectures) the technology on the internet in the area of teaching is always evolving. The prime change that I have enjoyed is being able to help students that would otherwise not be able to attend traditional classroom settings achieve their potential through 24/7 classes. This one fact is a game changer that allows the area of education to be open to an unlimited population and allow them to grow as individuals.
The internet has opened up a whole new world for 'edutainment'...a combination of learning via entertainment. A plethora of myriad media sources imbued with rich text, creative and graphic visuals, and humor all enable a dynamic, collaborative, student-centered fun experience.
As in this course, the internet allows students to have control over their learning. Learning is not only supplemented by additional resources (seemingly endless) but using the resources that are available on the internet reinforces learning. It makes it exciting with the possibilities of discovery every time the student accesses course material. I have found that students like web-based learning because they have control over space and time for their leaning experiences. Although some students may procrastinate in meeting deadlines with this control, time management is left to them. I do believe that the student should have timelines or “gates†to complete assignments or research for many obvious reasons, but the time saved in commuting to class (and the library) is time that I could have put to use more effectively in my learning experiences (showing my age.)
The internet has opened many opportunities for interactive instruction. Students can conduct research on topics as the class is discussing them.
Blogs, wikis, and discussion boards have opened a new medium for students to share their ideas. Many students like these better than in-class discussions because more students have the opportunity to participate and they can participate at a time that is convenient for them.
There are also many sites on the internet that provide students an opportunity to practice the skills they have learned in class.
What change hasn't it brought?! I started off with WebCt years and years ago. Now I teach strictly online for four colleges. We have live, synchronous meetings via virtual meeting rooms where I interact face-to-face with students from around the world. I have students creating videos, blogs, slideshows for assignments. This has permitted a much more personalized, differentiated, and exciting learning environment.
My instructors are able to utilize the publishing companies resouces through the internet. Powerpoints, links and other resources. It has also brought the flexibility to the future students. Everyone needs a higher education in this ecomony and with the internet they can acheive it while still being able to provide from their families. It's a whole new world. I can remember being blown away by the fax machine and now.....
Dana ,
Simulation technology is great for hands on learning and experience. Great idea...
Dr. Ruth Reynard
I try to use internet for research project and videos that I find to supplement the material that we discuss in class. Recently, I found a program called LabSim that simulates a computer lab via the Internet. I am currently using the LabSim software instead of a text book
Jennifer,
Yes, the hyperlink connectivity of the Internet and the digital possibilities now available mean that instructors have many more options than before in supporting their students.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
I like being able to lead my students to other resources that I have found useful on each topic and they can use this in their own research or not. Often in live chats I type in additional links or videos to watch on the topic. Further I can use images of book covers in my chat slides to refer them to a specific resource to look into and I find the visual more interesting than just mentioning the book.
Even in class I can now use internet sites to find interesting images or articles/data on the topic we are discussing or a short video and it mixes up the class nicely, especially with my longer classes (4 hours!)
Amie,
Good points! Yes, the role of the instructor is vital in teaching students how to recognize legitimate information and how to reference correctly.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
The Internet has opened up the world of information for students! If a student has a question, he/she can simply type it into Google and get an answer. The issue becomes how to police the information. As an instructor, the Internet can provide false or misleading information to students. This confuses the student and can detract from the learning process. There is also the issue of plagarism with students' work. Ensuring authenticiy becomes the burden of the instructor and takes up a lot of the intructor's time that could be spent on student interaction.
Rose,
Good points here - how have you seen the Internet change how you teach and how your students learn? What differences have you made in the design of your instruction to suit these changes?
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Internet brought a tremendous change at people's life and also on the instructional process. Those days, we discussed a lot on mobile instruction.
We could use internet with mobile technology to better communication with the students, to access information more easily and quickly. Internet brought the world smaller and brought online teaching more effectively and efficiently.
We would build a lot of good tools around the Internet to have better instruction with students.
John,
Yes, so the learning context is widened vastly...great example!
Dr. Ruth Reynard
The internet serves as a great reference point when trying to convey any information that may be unknown to our students. I especially enjoy showing students different pastries from all of the world in minutes via the internet.
Rebecca,
Yes, it certainly is easier to access and use - integrating social media, however, helps students understand the importance of networking and connections to learning ...
Dr. Ruth Reynard
