I think Internet has changed the entire delivery method and interactive learning through active participation in discussions forum regardless of location. The Internet has broken-down the learning boundary and made it limitless. With internet learning, time and location are no longer an excuse but rather part of integrated of learning process. Computer has made this learning possible with necessary hardware and software technical support.
I think that the internet has changed the way we receive are information. There is so much access to information at a push of a button we can hyper link to everything about the subjects being describing.
All of these also increase the potential for students to take more responsibility for their own learning, Jon. Providing access to information and resources is, as you say, efficient and expecting students to find and use those resources is vital for students to mature as learners.
Great ideas and suggestions, Jon. There is also the possibility of students contributing to course texts and students contributing to knowledge bases that could then be searched and edited, something like a Wiki. What do you think are some of the barriers that exist that prevent or limit this kind of direct application for students?
One approach for customization could possible be better search engine technology. Sometimes when researching information you get links that are somewhat of a dead end or don't have relevant information to begin with.
I'm sure that engine searches are cataloged. Having some general access to what topics are being searched could help publishers determined what is of particular interest in a given subject. That data could help in new publication materials.
Surveys of teachers in student problem area could lead to additional information being supplied in publications.
Lastly having electronic versions of textbooks would make book publishing cheaper; saving could be passed on to students. Books could be stored to students laptops or be accessed in school network round the clock. This would make for centralized studying and eliminate transportation issues of carrying texts.
Certain assignment can be posted to our portal.
Critiques and discussions can be implemented or supplemented outside of class in a forum setting.
Additional links, handouts and reading resources are provided on our network as well.
Student are also actively involved in the process by providing links that they find useful, which after approval can be uploaded as well.
As far as convenience and efficiency it works extremely well.
In your experience, John, how have you been most successful in establishing the balance between use of new technology and hands-on learning?
Yes, Jon, because it is user-based it means that the user dictates the results to a large extent. It also provides opportunities for direct publishing which is changing the publishing business completely. How do you think the customization and publication potential of the Internet could be better maximized with students?
The Internet has not only provided a convenience and immediacy factor in the fact learning can be had by all whenever they want; it also allows for a certain amount of customization and support of subject matter with the vast resources of the internet.
We can not isolate student /instructor interaction because most students rely on physical interaction to learn. A majoity of our students attention span is minimal and struggle through power points and lecture, but seem to grasp information through hands on activities. In essence we will be required to elaborate on the web base training during lab days in order to give the students a full understanding of the learning objective.
I'm not sure what you mean here, Scott. Do you mean that students cannot study while using the Internet? Can you clarify?
Good point, David. How do you ensure the flexible instructional design required to scaffold the learning when you are designing a course?
Instant access to the widest variety of information is now just a matter of point and click. It makes the scafolding possibilities limitless when you are designing a new course.
I agree, the internet changes the learning environment drastically. It gives the students the flexibility of their lifestyle. But will be easy to not dedicate time for studies if one is not self-motivated.
Yes, the instructor is vital in the process so that new skills can be developed. Warren, how do you integrate the kinds of checks and balances students need to use information effectively?
Students may be more inclined to do a little background work ahead of time and ask better questions because they are not meeting face to face. If using this method they will have to be trained to be perhaps more self disciplined than before. The internet opens up all kinds of "doors" of information. While doing research, you will find that some of the info is wrong, poorly stated or incomplete as well as very good lessons.The instructor will be need to guide the student to the correct answer and explain why others are incorrect as he moves the learning process along.
Yes, Andy, external resources broaden the context for students. Do you always provide the resources or encourage students to either research or create their own?
I use external resources in some of my class projects as it is, I've found that this makes the student more responsible for their work.
With or without technology, Carlos, how do you move your students away from so much dependance on you as an instructor into more self-directed accountability?
One of the biggest challange will be selfmotivation. With out having someone staying on top of them to go online and do there work I wonder how many students will show up to school with out having completed there work or even looked at there work.
