If we are truly student-centered as so many schools and programs claim, then, no, online learning will not replace the traditional classroom. Some students can excel regardless of teaching environment or delivery system but others need a more personally engaged approach.
I do not feel online will ever completely replace the traditional classroom. Not every student makes a good online student and not every subject matter makes a good online course. I do feel most traditional courses will in the future contain a hybrid component - which will help to blend the two learning environment types.
That's a good point. Reputation matters. Bit by bit, in my opinion, online learning is gaining recognition and respect. The more we deliver, the more students we will find taking online classes. -- best wishes, Michael
Hi Rebecca, I agree. I think we will begin to see different delivery formats based on the year a learner is in their program and the subject matter. There also may be more opportunities to build collaborative courses across the world, which would require an online delivery. Tina
What a concept! I had to think a bit before responding. Online learning is certainly gaining credibility and reliability during the past 25 years. I remember the online forum once being labeled "diploma mills." I do believe online learning is here to stay; I hear too many positive comments from my online students -- convenient and a real time saver, freeing them from the commute and gasoline or bus fare to school. Online learning will most assuredly gain in popularity and reputation in the future and is here to stay; brick and mortar schools will stay as well in my opinion.
The stately environs of our education institutions are part of our American and International culture. I remember going to college on campus. I was invigorated with the group discussions and opinions. For those students who excel in the presence of others, benefiting from peers' different perspectives and notions, I do believe that classroom delivery will be available to students, even if it is for optional attendance.
Hi Michael, I think with more and more choices available, students are also going online because they have the opportunity to take courses based on reputation and subject matter. Tina
I don't think that online learning will replace traditional classroom delivery, but the numbers of students opting to take online classes will probably increase. It's a question of the level of demand for the different modalities.
Online learning is ideal for learners located in remote areas and adult learners whose schedules do not permit them to meet at regularly scheduled times. I've had students located in places like the Aleutian islands who simply cannot conveniently commute to a ground campus. Online learning serves them well. Other students could access a ground campus but their work, family and community commitments preclude them from attending regularly scheduled classes. Archived chats and other asynchronous modes of delivery serve this group of students well.
That being said, many students still prefer face to face interaction and the structure of traditional, brick and mortar institutions. Those students tell me they feel more comfortable meeting with instructors in person. Ground campus settings serve that class of student well.
Hi Stanley, I agree 100%. The best learner for online learner is the learner who is self directed and has solid basic academic skills. Tina
Online learning does not seem as effective for remedial learning when students lack basic skills of vocabular, grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling.
Hi Amanda, learning styles has a huge impact on learners ability to engage online; however, with the use of multimedia, there are more opportunities to meet the various learning styles of learners. I think social learning styles may have a greater impact on learners in the online environment because it requires everyone to interact in order to be presence. The online environment may not be suitable for learners who do not have a collaborative and participative learning style. Tina
Online learning is a great supplement for traditional in class learning, however, many students are not as comfortable with online learning due to their learning styles. It is important to offer both options.
Hi Brian, you make a good point about the mode of delivery based on the subject matter. Although I have seen math delivered online successfully, most times having some synchronous component is necessary. Tina
Hi Shellie. In addition, learners with poor academic skills struggle more in the online environment, so they may be more successful in a f2f learning environment. Tina
I do not believe online learning will replace the traditional classroom. Some students prefer the traditional over online due to the hands-on component. I've found some subjects like math and physics are especially challenging to teach and learn online.
Hi Marie, we have been using Adobe Connect for our live study sessions. The instructor and learner/s can use the video feature, so they are able to see one another to develop greater presence. Tina
I agree with Jody. I think there are students who really struggle with this online learning because it's not a great match for their learning style. There are things we can do to assist, say, auditory learners, like creating audio files and scheduling conference calls, but online courses are unlikely to be the first choice of some students. As long as there are students to pay for f2f classes, there will be institutions that will offer them.
I agree with most of the posts here that the online learning environment certainly has it's place, but I do not think that it will completely take over the traditional f2f learning environment. I believe going to a brick and mortar class f2f has a lot of positive aspects to it for the students as well as the instructors. The interpersonal skills that you can learn and the conversations you can have in the classroom tend to be more dynamic. Reading the body language of the students will help you to determine if the student is engaged in the learning or totally confused. I have only experienced teaching in an online environment, but I got my degrees at a brick and mortar setting. I like the convenience of the online learning environment and its flexibility, but I do miss the face to face with the students. I guess one way to get over that is possibly use a video like Skype or something like that so you can see the students. That may help and may change the learning experience.
Hi Jody, can you elaborate on how different learning styles will determine the mode of delivery a learner chooses? Tina
I disagree, I believe it depends on the learner. I don't think it's going to be replaced, but each person learns differently.
Hi Archie, in some respects, it is easier to ask questions and get timely feedback online because learners can ask questions in private and feedback is posted directly into the course, so learners don't have to wait for the next class to have their assignments returned! Tina
