I do not think that online learning will 100% replace the traditional classroom. I think there is more value in traditional classrooms and it cannot be replaced easily. I do believe that online learning is a good alternative to the tradiational if the student feels more comfortable that way. I did not like the online course that I took in college as much as the classroom. I think there is more to school than just learing material, there is a social aspect that we as humans need. We need face to face interactions.
I disagree. While online learning is beneficial to students who have a busy schedule (because of families, jobs, etc) or students that want the flexibility of when they "go to class" and do their work, there will always be students that prefer learning face-to-face with an instructor. As someone who is a visual learner, being in an actual classroom with the materials presented to my by an instructor will always be a better method of learning for myself, and those students that need that live interaction.
Andrea,
There is certainly a lot of research coming out now that does not support the MOOC model as an efficient model for online delivery. This does not speak against ALL online education. Our current online educational models that focus on collaboration, community-building, and online course facilitation have been shown over many years now to be effective models. The MOOC model and the quick jump to it should show us that we need to be more careful with jumping on new technology until we do some meaningful research on these new learning models. MOOCs may still be shown to be effective in certain areas, but they are once again just one tool of many that can be used to reach online students.
Herbert Brown III
I don't think it will completely replace it, but I believe the modern world we live in will demand more of it. Work schedules, etc.
We are in a really interesting period of time in the learning community. There is a huge debate centered around this question and there are expert opinions which support both the sides of the issue. The huge amount of resources and huge interest in the MOOC learning model is all evidence to support the emergence of online learning as a primary educational delivery method. This method allows access to educational materials to learners in remote locations where the face to face, physical classroom experience doesn't exist. This also allows access to education for people who cannot attend a class during the "normal" timeframe because of work or family commitments. There is a lot of value in the online alternative. Recently, however, there has been research and articles to support the argument against MOOCs for example and evidence to show some of the limitations and shortcomings of online learning. Some of these issues include topics that are being discussed in this course and I appreciate the opportunity to strengthen my own effectiveness as an online instructor and bring more value to the students I teach through professional development opportunities such as this.
Online learning is not for everyone! While it brings the opportunity to learn to many more persons than previously able to access it and may be used to tailor material to learning styles, there is no way to replace the social engagement of a classroom. That includes both the student AND instructor options a classroom provides. Moreover, it is impossible to instructors to keep up with the emerging technologies effectively when working as an adjunct instructor.
While online learning is revolutionary and will continue to grow in popularity I believe there will always be a place for the traditional classroom. There are some subjects that are more effectively taught while in a traditional classroom/lab setting. In my opinion, these include more of the technical skills in professions. For instance, I would not want someone who has only done online training on how to draw blood stick me with a needle.
I do not believe that online learning will replace traditional classroom delivery of instruction. Online learning merely provides an alternative method of learning and is designed to accommodate a specific population of learners--those who are self-disciplined, or, perhaps, not in a position to travel to class. In other words, online learning increases our options for obtaining knowledge and technology makes that happen.
Online learning is a modality promoted originally by for-profit schools and is fast becoming adopted among students, especially non-traditional types who are adults and have several roles to fill. The online environment offers convenience, flexible scheduling, faster time to degree opportunity. It does not offer face-to-face instructor presence and can be alienating for some students, however. It also does not lend itself to all disciplines or courses at this time. For these reasons, online learning will never completely replace classrooms. In addition, traditional students will continue to prefer to social environment of a traditional school with its attendant community of activities, both extracurricular and academic.
Patricia,
I agree that we will continue to see both platforms and a strong growth in hybrid classroom environments.
Herbert Brown III
Gary,
Technology is certainly developing rapidly. I would still suggest that at some point we have to have some hands on elements even with the online instruction. I do not want a surgeon working on me that has only done virtual surgeries and has not worked on physical humans.
Herbert Brown III
Carolyn,
You describe the hybrid classroom that has become VERY popular in the last few years. I teach hybrid and completely online and I love the power of the tools available to enhance my traditional classrooms. Hybrid will continue to see strong growth in the future.
Herbert Brown III
Online learning can replace some courses entirely, but some clinical courses need an on ground component.
I don't think online learning will completely replace traditional classrooms however I think we're moving in the direction to incorporate more online learning into classrooms. I see this everyday with my oldest daughter in 3rd grade and the work that is done from the computer. Just the technology alone they have brought into the classroom with SmartBoards is amazing.
Herbert, I don't necessarily see online learning replacing the traditional delivery of instruction. I see this as being an enhancement to the current method. We have become more technical and a society of technology so I think this can infuse with the current delivery method.
I don't think it will entirely, but I think that when hologram technology becomes universal, it will definitely come close. I don't believe it will be long before a student will literally have the capability place his/her teacher in the living room with that technology.
I sure hope not! Of the leaning styles, the traditional classroom is 'required' for those like me who are hands on leaving the reading part out! Show me and I will learn, leave me to read and you leave me behind. I can see, and actually do in my classroom, combining on-line elements along with the traditional face-to-face.
joyce,
The research is clearly showing a continued growing trend in online education; however, I do agree it will be unlikely that all traditional instruction will be replaced. However, there will be an even greater impact as more courses move to a hybrid online/traditional format.
Herbert Brown III
I do not believe that online learning will ever completely take the place of being in an on-campus classroom. Some students need the one-on-one contact between a teacher and themselves in order to be successful learners.
I do not think it will EVER replace the traditional classroom. It is really popular, and it is easy to deliver, but there will ALWAYS be a forum necessary for the face-to-face learning forum in education. My school catered to the non-traditional student that felt disenfranchised by the larger higher learning institutions, and they readily admitted they sought out the small class size with small student-instructor ration. For this student, online will never replace what they need...
