Get Your Students Hired
This question can be addressed from opposing standpoints. A positive contribution is evident when the learning gap is abridged with the insertion of a wealth of available knowledge. Access to interactive videos, links, public forums, etc… allow for non-traditional instruction options that allow students to apply various learning styles for any given topic. Conversely, technological limitations of both the facility as well as the instructor/learner create an apprehensive approach as well as confusion as they navigate the online world and filter through an abundance of information. The internet has broadened the concept of adult learning by making students autonomous, self directed learners. Instructors are able to facilitate the learning process as opposed to making students passive recipients of knowledge.
The internet is helping students from all over the country to go to the school of their choice.
Kerry,
...unless the instructor still tries to perform the more conventional role of being the source of information. When the instructor changes their role adaptively when using new technology, then I agree :)
Dr. Ruth Reynard
James,
Yes, so that connectivity abnd flexibility are central characteristics of this kind of instructional environment that uses new technology.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Well for one thing we have a whole lot more information at our finger tips you can look up pretty much any topic or research a component without waiting to try and find a book on it.
The internet has made teachers much more efficient.
If I understand the question correctly, things like forums, blogs and email have all allowed nearly instantaneous connection to learners with learners and instructors with learners; pretty much anytime and anywhere. This allows learning to occur outside the classroom environment and on the students terms, thereby allowing greater student interaction on more levels.
The most elementary change is that information can be delivered from one computer to another without having to pass through a more physical medium. Because of this, it's feasible to transfer larger volumes of information. It also makes it feasible to set up repositories of information (Wikipedia, YouTube) for mass distribution.
Furthermore, since information isn't limited to forms amenable to hard-copy, there are more formatting options available.
Rebecca,
How does "face time" translate in the digital world? New and newer technology is mostly about touch and voice, however, the mobility and flexibility is increasing, so what implications are there for teaching and learning?
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Yes, you are right. The future tellers are saying technology is going to morph leaps and bounds in the next five years -- that we will be seeing each other when speaking remotely (can do that with skype and other programs currently) the clicker is: we won't have to hold anything in our hands (now that would be different).
This is going to be exciting for students. It will enable that important face to face contact, creating a more personal relationship between trainer and learner. I think we need to "get more connected" to remote students--building that trust and credibility. Do you?
Teachers like that personal touch -- that is one of the reasons we teach. Right? I'm excited to see the changes coming around the corner.
James,
Exactly! Flexible delivery means that more students have the opportuniity to study and, as you say, from various backgrounds and situations. This enriches the learning experience for everyone and provides a learning community that extends physical constraints.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
This has allowed more people to attend class no matter what there individual situation. Having served in the U.S. Military and while deployed I not only attended classes but knew others who also did.
James,
Yes, I agree with you and like the ideas you've shared here - the interactivity and enagegment does heighten and the potential for connecting with students individiually while maintaining the community of the group. Great points! Additionally, the potential for customization increases...
Dr. Ruth Reynard
The internet gives the ability of both the instructor to deliver material as well as the student to grasp it. Not only are there interactive and/or 3D diagrams to further illustrate the words or pictures provided, but on most website they have forums and comments by users which allow for interaction of not just the students in the course but other current and past users to "bounce" ideas off of each other. The internet also allows those students who might be nervous or embarrassed to ask a question or present an idea in a classroom setting the opportunity to do so without being directly in the presence of the other students thereby reducing the possible "stage fright" that sometimes occurs.
Rebecca,
I find my IPhone amazing - apps for everything :) Twitter is interesting and is more of an intentional communcation and networking tool - that would depend on what you want to achieve.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Rebecca,
I would say that it depends if the students are fully online (in which case there should be clear technical specs listed to help guide them, as well as an orientation etc.) or if your students are F2F - in the latter case, there must be flexibility from the instructor giving more time for all students to fully engage and provide access on campus before or after class to help.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Rebecca,
Are you totally online or can your students come to a school location to work? We have students who struggle with this as well and providing flexibile access to computers on campus helps a lot...
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Am I considered a dinosaur if I do not have an I phone nor Twitter? If I plan to teach online for the next 5 years, do you think I should "get connected?" I use Skype sometimes for private conversations with students.
Lots of changes - and primarily great ones; I agree with everyone's positive notes. However, we might discuss further about the challenges we encounter when very remote students (I have heard poor reports about Hughes Net) have difficulty with connectivity -- I hear from students they become very frustrated and lose their motivation and worry very much about getting behind and losing points due to late submissions. How can we manage this issue and what can we tell our students to keep them engaged?
After reading so many positive notes with regard to Internet learning, I would like to bring up the challenges. I have students who live remotely and at times have connectivity problems. They get SOOO frustrated, worried they will be docked for late assessment, feeling helpless. How should we address this issue and still keep the motivation going?
I am an instructor at an automotive school and often need to reference service information during class time. We encourage the students to talk about any problems they are currently experiencing with their vehicles as long as it is subject related. So as a result we end up having a class discussion regarding their individual vehicle the internet allows us to bring up repair information on just about any vehicle on the spot. In addition to that there are plenty of case studies available on the web to share with the class which are only a few clicks away.