Student home computer capabilities when using virtual classroom tools
Hi Everyone!!
When deciding which of the multitude of virtual online classroom enhancers to include in your classrooms - it might be helpful to think about your student demographics. Not all students who enroll in online classes have the latest technologies or latest programming in their computers. They may not be able to access or utilize these technical gadgets!
Ask me how I know.... :-)
Marti Kessack
Kendrick,
I agree totally. No access to the Internet becomes the first barrier and can be the last barrier they face. I think we have to be realistic regarding requirements. We would never tolerate students who don't attend in a face to face class. . .
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Dr. Wilkinson,
I think that we are setting students up for failure if they don't have access to the internet. The foundation of online learning is internet access and if any online program is to have success, it must have students who are able to access the online learning environment. Lack of access, whether it be for economical or logistics reasons will exclude eligible students from the course.
Saundra,
True , but I feel that the frustration can be such a barrier for future courses.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Saundra,
Can you be fair to those who have dial up? Can we admit a student to a distance ed program that does NOT have the technology to do the work? When we do admit students in these situations are we setting them up for failure?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Yes, we need to make students aware of what they need to access the course. One school I teach for allows me to post what "tools" are needed in the course schedule. I place access to occasional high speed Internet to view video clips there because students must have access to be success. Those in rural areas or those with financial issues are left out and I hate that.
So true! I have been teaching online for a few years now and have struggled with the fact that dial-up is the ONLY available option in some areas. Even the local public libraries are still on dial-up. (Yes, I have contacted them directly to confirm) Satellite is available but only during seasons when there are no leaves on the trees to block signal!
I have had to learn to make extremely short video clips and to have more frequent, shorter quizzes as opposed to exams in a course I teach for another college.
Ava,
These are tough calls. Do we allow students to take online courses if they don't have access to the Internet than what is offered at the library? Are we setting students up for failure because they "can't come to class" online.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I have to say this is a frustrating problem for us as instructors but it is also frustrating and embarrassing for the student on the other end. I had a student tell me she could not join my Live lecture using Virtual Classroom because she did not have enough minutes on her cell phone to hear the audio and it took her computer too long to download the visual due to her very slow internet; it was all she could afford. It makes you wonder how hard they have to work to keep up with an on-line course when their basic technology is below par. Even the websites we send these students to for help cannot be loaded quickly.
Belinda,
Good post! I have real issues when students are allowed to take online courses and the DON'T have a computer. It sets them up for failure.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Hello Marti: It is very true that students at home may not have the latest hardware and software on their computers. The school can provide the software; but the computer must be able to run that software. Also, the student must be able to use the software.
Dr. B
William,
Back at you! Great points. you can try using software such as Jing.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Great points! One thing to keep in mind is that if you do require a certain program or piece of technology (like a microphone) to include it in the syllabus so that the students are aware of it from Day 1 and have time to upgrade and/or borrow the technology. I know in my English classes, I have my students record a speech for the final project based on their research and I have to remind the students several times throughout the class that these things will be needed. Additionally, I will provide links to free alternatives for any program that I can (like Open Office and the like). As you say, "we should not assume that every student has the ability to access this technology"; sometimes, though, we have to help those students along.
Dennis,
Wow! I don't know what to say! :) You speak the truth!It is interesting how shallow the technology ability is!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Well, I'm curious Marti, how?
Seriously though - you are quite right. Our school teaches computers, IT and technology. One would assume that someone interested in a career in IT would have the latest technology, yet I very regualarly interview prospective students that want to be a network engineer, but don't even have a PC at home!
What's more, when we're talking about whether or not the student has the neccessary setup at home to be able to take advantage of online training like this, the question is usually about the internet connection speed; is it fast access or are they still on dial-up? However, while lot of people out there may be very proficient with the very latest technologies, using them extensively at work, at home they may have no interest in that stuff at all - they may still be running the same 10 year old system that has well served their very simple needs, and probably still does, but it does not have anywhere near the capabilities required for most of the software discussed here.
The point is guess, we should not assume that every student has the ability to access all this technology, all the time, even if today, most people can...
