I dont see online learning replacing the traditional classroom, especially in hands on fields such as art and design. So much is transfered when working side by side with a student on the same canvas.
What will likely occur is a deeper blending of the coursework with technology that is more focused on learner needs.
Tom,
Throughout this thread multiple opinions on both sides of the aisle indicate large differences between the two platforms to meet student needs. Your insights on student comfort level and learning styles are on target with most of the participants. I guess if "over the Internet" education were to stay, basically, in its current form there would not be much dissent to the idea that it will not replace the traditional classroom. I wonder if something along the lines of "three-dimensional video conferencing" with appropriate learning props might someday (50 – 100 years) be robust enough to accommodate a learning environment equal to today's current face-to-face. This is the vision of distance education that is as far-fetched as landing a man on the moon.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Different strokes for different folks...OK, let's be specific. Individuals come to us with different learning styles. Those styles determine the best parameters to use when teaching a student. Some students will be more comfortable/learning-oriented in a brick and mortar environment. Others may have the discipline to perform studies on-line. Not good or bad, right or wrong, just is. I personally think there will always be a need for both.
Earl,
I believe your insights about online instruction (as it is implemented today) are accurate. While the online platform will not replace the traditional classroom format for some students, it may be able to replace the classroom for others. I also agree with you that the "curve is quickly changing." The is a great deal of 'opportunity' in today's formal educational systems to assist students and educators in mastering the tools of online teaching/learning. Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I personally do not think online learning will replace the traditional classroom format. Some students are not prepared to succeed in an online format due to assessibility to equipment, self-motivation issues, and incompatibility with learning style. Since many students have never experienced online learning, there may be a number of hurdles to overcome before achieving success. Also, many students lack the need self-discipline and time management skills to thrive in this learning format. The curve is quickly changing due to the growing number of instititions offering distance learning courses and programs.
Nia,
Your son is not the norm since his mom is an online guru.
Hi Nick,
As you stated, there are many who agree with you. I do sometimes wonder how/if the traditional (and online) classrooms will change over the next 20 years. Instructional technologies are advancing at an increasingly rapid rate.
Dr. V.
I don't think online learning will replace traditional classroom training as a whole.
There are many educators who feel traditional teaching methods are needed and I agree with them. Online learning still has it's place in many areas though.
Justine,
Agreed, and all good points. Like the 'hands-on' item, the f2f has some fairly easy to identify advantages over online. Do you find any pedagogical advantages inherent in today's mainstream online instructional environment? Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I believe it's a good thing that online learning is on the rise; however, I don't believe it will fully replace the traditional classroom. Some students that I teach in the traditional classroom do take advantage of the opportunity to take online classes and are successful in that arena. Yet, other students admit that they need the human interaction to learn and understand. Also, I believe certain courses require hands-on learning, especially at career colleges, where the online forum isn't quite enough to deliver the content. Still, online courses have many benefits and allow students to take classes when their schedules or other barriers may have previously prohibited them from going to school.
Jerry,
There are many on both sides of this topic. Case in point - my 16 year old daughter has known the Internet all her life, yet loves to spend Saturday afternoons at the library. I wonder how "traditional" the traditional classroom will be in two generations. Do you think the classroom will may be a gathering place similar to a cybercafe with specialized high-tech learning centers?
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
In my opinion, traditional classroom delivery won't complete vanish, even in years to come. I base this on the fact that although we are definitely living in the Internet age, public libraries are still in existence, even if they are not as popular as they once were.
Louis,
Times (and skills) are changing - first penmanship gives way to keyboards and texting...now face to face dialogue to oline networking through blogs, wikis, discussion boards, etc. The cultural shift from pencil/paper and face to face dialogue switching over to computers, cell phones and the Internet is probably not unlike the enormity of the changeover from horse & buggy to automobiles early last century.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I think the anytime feature will increase student migration to online because of the convenience. You can see a great example of that in the use of the iphone scrabble ap. In which you play scrabble against someone you don't know and you do your turn when ever you have time. This of course allows games to sometimes last several days but most importantly it allows you to play.
I still think there is a need for the classroom. Interacting with people in person is a skill that is slowly dying.
Hi Louis,
The hybrid, synchronous class where some are present in the same room and others are 'skyped' into the class was a technique used in some of my graduate courses. It is an effective way to include those who are out of proximity, when needed.
Additionally, the convenience of asynchronous intereaction seems to be an important part of the growing popularity of online classes. Do you think the 'anytime' feature may play a significant part to increase the migration of students from the traditional to the online classrooms? Thank you for your contributions.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I think it will become more popular as technology advances but I don't think it will replace the traditional class room setting. What I do see is more of a hybrid model where both online and classroom can be merged. Where you can have either the teacher or the students projected into the classroom.
Mark,
I agree that good solid instruction is best facilitated by a human connection between the instructor and student. Do you think real-time audio/visual lessons could be almost as good, someday?
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
On line learning will not replace the traditional classroom. There is no subsitute for good face to face communication and feedback. To much releiance on technology can be a hinderence to the learning cycle.
Hello Jeremy,
I know what you mean. Over the past two decades I have been a postsecondary student and instructor in both online and traditional settings. Many of my experiences correspond exactly to what you are describing. However, I did have the good fortune to take several online graduate courses that were very robust and taught well (not just 'facilitated') because multiple a/v technologies were used to enhance the human connection. Many of these technologies are just starting to be more integrated into the newer versions of many LMS platforms. I hope you have the opportunity in the near future to make use of some of these enhancements. They seem (to me) to kick it up a notch for online instruction.
I disagree completely. Online education, in no form, can take the place of what is learned in the traditional classroom setting. In an online setting, instructors (whether you have a bachelors, masters or doctorate) are facilitators, not really teachers. Again, I say this not only regarding my experience as an instructor, but as an online student who went on to receive a degree in the traditional classroom setting. It's going to take some time before the private sector (government is a different story) begins to take a serious look at online education. Online universities need to do a better job of finding instructors that are truly knowledgeable in their respective subject fields and also do a better job of writing course material. Perhaps I'm cynical, but again, I've experience both and online education doesn't compare to what knowledge is learned and retained in the traditional brick and mortar classroom setting.
