I think it will. Technology seems to be driving the message. I think it has been a steady journey towards online learning and the culture of technology seems to be informing the need.
Christina,
I can see that. Thank you for your kind consideration and for sharing your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Hi Dr. S. David,
Answering your question I do believe with improvements in technology that it might minimize the difficulty that some students might have, Im not saying it will eliminate it completly but it will help.
I do believe that the help of audiovisual interaction will help alot because its like having the instructor in front of them talking to them instead of them just reading it.
Yvonne,
This is a very good point. In the current state of instructional technology post secondary undergraduate and graduate courses may be more appropriate for the online environment because of the maturity of the learners. Thank you for your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I feel online has become convenient for many people. For an adult this is fine, but for students in elementary, middle, and high school, I feel they should go physically to school if they are able to. It takes lots of discipline to do online courses, which most teenage students do not have. I do not believe that they will do away with all traditional classes, because students with learning disabilities, or different learning styles, need the hands on approach.
Trude,
What a difference a decade can make. Only 10 years ago, online postsecondary courses were disdained by many reputable colleges as "not being real college courses." Today, the general public usually deems a college or university to be substandard if they do not have at least some online offerings. Your prediction seems very likely, given current trends.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Raymond,
I am a big fan of homeschooling. We homeschooled both of our children for a period of time. Both of the children also attended online high school classes, as well as public and private face-to-face classrooms. I agree with your statements above. Over time, more and more face-to-face classrooms will be replaced by online classes. As technology improves and online courses rely less and less on primarily text-based instructional format and move toward more human interactivity media, online will likely take over the mainstream of institutional education at the secondary and postsecondary levels. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Technology is moving faster than any of us can begin to imagine. Those of us who think the classroom is sacred ought to think again. More and more of our learning and our work will be accomplished in a virtual environment. However, that doesn't mean that face-to-face interaction will be completely eliminated. We are social animals. However, the nature of the face-to-face activities will change. We will use them for social interaction. Ten years from now, college Freshmen will not be required to sit in a lecture hall 3 times a week at 11 a.m. to be leacured at.
Hello Dr. V,
I believe it eventually will because the world is already becoming a computer dominated, connected place. As internet access and speeds continue to grow, so will the desire to access knowledge in the "online world." The ease and 24/7 accessibility of taking an online course makes it an attractive option for many people, especially those with jobs that prevent them from participating in a traditional "at school, classroom" environment. I believe that many courses across the spectrum of academic specialties will translate well to an online environment. As more schools and universities adopt online formats, provide degree programs and keep costs at reasonable prices, the demand will only grow that much further. The public will eventually demand this at the grade-school level. There are many parents who are not happy with public education and already seek "private" or "home-schooling"alternatives. The online environment is a perfect solution for these situations. Another aspect of this is the increasing capability of digital video formats and feeds. The "younger" generation is literally growing up in this internet, connected world and have limited experience with what I grew up with. Because of this, they will seek and eventually demand more online education access for themselves and their children too. I could be wrong, but I think it is only a matter of time before most educational opportunities will be found online.
Ray Lombardi
Natalie,
Very good point. The blended approach is also gaining in popularity as well as demonstrating some superiority to online and traditional by themselves.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I disagree. I think the traditional classroom will probably be used less than online learning, but I don't think it will ever go away. People learn very differently, and to take away the traditional classroom experience entirely could scare people away from trying to pursue education at all. Blended learning will probably occur more frequently, as the online environment can only allow for so much participation, demonstration, etc.
Sharon,
There is some research evidence indicating the advantages you identify for the blended approach. My initial experience with online back in 1999 was in a blended environment. I agree with you that the blended approach allows leveraging of each delivery method off of the other. As many have stated, "It is the best of both worlds." Thank you for sharing your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Matt,
Fair enough. Thank you for your valuable contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I believe online and traditional classroom learning each have their audiences. If one ascribes to the seven different learning styles, one has to acknowledge that online can inhibit the kinesthetic and possibly interpersonal styles of learning. Yet despite its limitations (that, with the advancement of technology, are starting to be minimized)there are those students who would be unable to physically attend class. I have had single mothers attend my synchronous chat sessions with little ones on their laps, seriously ill cancer patients who are determined to continue their education despite their illness, and those students who geographically have no university available to them. To these students, the ability to complete their degree online is a gift. Yet there are many who enjoy the collaborative community of coming together once a week to discuss academic concepts and support each other in their learning. Often there are those courses (generally quantitative in nature)which students dread to take online, feeling the interactive nature of face to face will foster a better learning environment for them. For those students the traditional classroom is imperative.
Overall I believe a blend of online and traditional is the most effective learning experience for students. As an instructor, for many years, in the traditional classroom I have often felt that I only have the focus of the students attentions for 3 hours a week. Once they leave the classroom they may or may not retain the concepts we discussed, forcing me to continually reiterate old concepts and limiting the ability to forge on ahead with new concepts. I now employ many of the online techniques I have used as an online instructor in my onground courses. My traditional classroom now requires discussion board posts, I offer face to face and online office hours expanding my availability to my students. In this way, the students stay connected with the concepts we are learning and the collaborative learning experience is enhanced.
I hope not, I like to quote/reference movies in my classes. I think what you are proposing is close to the movie Surrogates, where no one interact with each other face-to-face.
I think each form of learning will have their share of proponents and neither will go away.
-- Matt
Matt,
I understand and agree that everything you stated. As long as the online classroom remains in its current state I believe your perspective is accurate. However, do you think the advancements in technology that facilitate human to human interactivity may eventually replace the traditional classroom – say 25 to 50 years?
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I am going to say no to this one. Online environments provide many flexibilities for students, but there are some students that simply want the face-to-face interaction. They want to sit in a classroom and ask questions provide input and get feedback real time.
There will be a need for both.
-- Matt
Daniel,
Many agree with you. However, many believe the technology may advance far enough within a few decades to accommodate all kinds of learning. Nevertheless, in today's environment it does "add to" and "provide competition" for traditional classrooms.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I don't know that this would be the case. I think it can definitely add to or provide competition for traditional classroom learning but I don't think it will ever replace it.
Leigh,
I agree, many students do not understand that the commitment level of the online class is at least as much, if not more, is a traditional class. Continuing to improve our means of setting clear expectations and engaging students early can help get them adjusted. Thank you for your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
