Focus on the Negatives: Technology
Focus on the Negatives: Technology
We've all gotten emails about students who end up with no working computer, internet cut off due to non-payment, you name it. Some students even start school with no computer and use a public PC, or one at work. This is a fact of our academic life.
While not having internet or a computer at home may not be the best scenario for an online student, we need to make solid suggestions on how students can accomplish course tasks – NOT berate them for not having a computer. The student is already enrolled in your class. If they have technological obstacles to overcome, it’s our job to help, not hinder.
We can make suggestions to students, such as using computers at public libraries, and community centers or asking their boss at work to enable AIU access – not for personal use, but to advance professionally by furthering their education. These are just a few suggestions.
I agree, and this is one reason that I think students should be issued tablet PCs with wireless internet. Even if the student does not have online access at home there are free wifi hotspots in most areas.
Additionally the use of tablets ensures all students have the same hardware, and the tablets can be fairly cheap and sync their data to the cloud so that the loss of a tablet does not lose its data.
Sabrina,
I know this is a controvesial topic with many. Thank you for sharing this contribution to the post.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
A student with internet access difficulties or limited access can still find ways to participate in class activities. I recommend to students to print the activity lists, so that they are aware of what activities are due and when. during active online access, students can access the online textbook, reading assignments can be accomplished. Written assignments can be completed off-line, and uploaded when online access is available. Participation with peers in the discussion board can also be done in short online periods, as long as students make substantive comments, not just,
"I agree".
The ability to suceed is there, if the needed extra effort is made by both the student and instructor. Students with these difficulties need a great deal of encouragement to get over this hurdle, and it can be done"!
Dr. Bari Courts
