Even though I believe that students will always prefer to have tangible items, I.e, books, there is a very good chance that online learning can replace some classes. I do not believe all because of practical procedures. But theory can be set up fully as an on line learning.
I do not believe that online learning will replace the traditional classroom; however, I do believe that traditional classrooms will incorporate some type of online learning within the class.
There are certainly pros and cons of each delivery model. I think about my first years of college - dorm life, sorority, freedom - and I associate those years with independence and social growth. In that respect, online learning can never replace the traditional classroom. However, because of family, job, and location, I could not have earned my higher degrees without online learning. It was the convenience, flexibility, and anonymity that encouraged me to further my education.
Beverly C. Montgomery
No, I do not believe online learning will replace the traditional classroom in all instances. While it is quite obvious online learning has grown, there are 1) those students who will always genuinely desire face to face interaction and 2) there are those topics which must be learned through hands-on interaction (example: science labs). I hope it won't anyway. Some students just love GOING to college!
Excellent question still being hotly debated in higher education. Some disciplines cannot use online instruction wisely e.g. chemistry, medicine, culinary arts, hard sciences, etc. It can raise serious questions and doubts about validity of curriculums and content assessment. As others have noted, the face to face component is still in demand and onsite classes and (in my opinion) the use of headshot videos will not provide a sufficient substitute. So, no, I do not foresee online learning "taking over" from conventional instruction. Thanks.
Dan Campagna
I teach a blended curriculum which is 50% online learning and the other 50% resident or classroom. There are certainly many benefits to online learning such as the ability to go back and retrieve any previous course content or materials for review. However, certain types of courses can be very 'hands-on' which requires teaching face-to-face. Obvious other advantages of a traditional classroom include ability to answer student questions rapidly and provide instant feedback.
Online learning for non-traditional students will likely replace most face to face course but the traditional student will still want the traditional university experience as they notrmally have fewer responsibilities than the non-traditional student who likely has a family and full time job.
Steven,
Sorry to hear about your accident. I hope you are recovering well. Regarding the QAs we all have structure to "work within" to get the courses designed and taught some are better than others. The university I work for I have complete control over the course so I am blessed in that way. I would just recommend that you sit down with the QAs and explain your rationale. They may not see the importance of what you are doing or the strategies you are using...they might find them helpful for all instructors.
Herbert Brown III
I agree that this statement might be true for many disciplines. There are some topics that can only be taught in a lab, but most classes can be held via distance learning technology. Thanks to interactive technologies and constantly evolving platforms, online classes can be as stimulating, interesting and interactive as a traditional classroom.
Herbert
Sorry for the delay, but a few months ago I got into a very bad accident in Canada and have been up there for a week for rehab. I go to a facility outside of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Medicare in the U.S. does not cover the rehab because I got into the accident in Canada. Such is life - I must drive 14 hours to get rehab if I want it.
Anyhow, I agree. Unfortunately the only schools I have taught for online after I retired from inclass teaching have changed to this method. The real problem comes from assignments. I have been using the same texts for several terms and I cannot change any of the assignments to reflect new students or different classes. I once put in a topic the students had to write a paper on and I just put in an additional portion that allowed me to tell if the students were doing the work for MY class and not someone else's paper from a past term (turnitin.com is used in both universities and some students return a 35-45% similarity score). When my class was reviewed by the Quality Analyst, I was downrated because I added MY little portion. What I did was to make the students use a source that was within 2 months of our class. By doing this, I can tell that the students at least had do look up something that was not available for a previous class.
I like the current university I am teaching for, but I do get frustrated. The 1st university I taught for, the QAs changed all the time. That created a problem because each analyst focused on different things or looked at things a little differently. The university I teach for now keeps the same QA person, so I do not feel I am teaching for a moving target.
The other thing that I have found in a lot of programs in different universities online is that "academic freedom" means that you have some input in the course development process. The problem I have is that most of the meetings for this process are held when I cannot attend. One instance was the only faculty meeting for a course review was during Monday Night Football when the Chicago Bears were playing (I have been a Bears fan-even had a tryout with them in 1967-since I was 5 years old). We have season tickets for the Bears and we drive the 11 hours to go to the games.
Diane,
Do you see it replacing any specific fields per chance or not at all? There is certainly major growth in online courses over all areas. What about hybrid (online and on-ground) courses, could online AND hybrid replace traditional classroom instruction?
Herbert Brown III
Herbert,
It is my hope that online learning will never replace the traditional classroom but will enhance it.
There is so much wonderful information available online that it would be a shame not to incorporate some of that information into the traditional classroom. I often use online videos to help my students get a better understanding of a topic that we are learning.
I also think that there are some things that will never be able to be learned in an online environment. Working in the medical field, touch is very important. You need the hands on environment for that aspect.
I disagree that a traditional classroom will ever be replaced due to the fact that many people can only learn in that type of setting. If replacement was the case then many people could or could not get an equal education.
Hello Mr. Brown & thread,
This is a very interesting question and topic to discuss. As we have seen with many technological advances--they seem to be replacing many of the things that required a human element--such as the delivery of instruction (this can now be processed via a computer, video, etc.). Although much of the technology tries to still implement the human element (video chats, teleconferencing, skype, etc.)in the communication with our learners, there are still some aspects of the concrete classroom that cannot be created in the online courseroom. For example, there is the concept of training -- training for a trade may be easier in the classroom rather than learning it online (i.e. taking blood pressure, heart rate, venipuncture, radiology, etc.)
Another factor that affects the response to this question is the different learning styles and generational gap that exists with technology (i.e. baby boomers may lack the skill in technology, but may be advanced in personable skills with others). So, in terms of online learning eventually replacing traditional delivery, is possible, but not for a long time (in my opinion).
Cheers,
Su
Stanley,
I would agree that we will continue to see growth in online and hybrid environments. For the foreseeable future I believe we will continue to have strong traditional class enrollments as well. Many people still do not like online classes.
Herbert Brown III
Steven,
Interesting comparison. I work in an online teaching environment where I have the same complete control of the learning environment as I do in a traditional classroom. I would have to seriously examine an environment where I have no control over the learning outside of canned material and structure. Everyone has to examine what they are willing to accept.
Herbert Brown III
Unfortunately at the rate technology is changing people forms of obtaining information, it is inevitable. But I also have to qualify my response because I doubt it will totally replace the classroom.
I like to study history and have spent a lot of time learning more and more about WWII. I especially like to learn about how Hitler and the Nazi’s came to power and what their ultimate goals were to be if their brutal society succeeded. Fortunately they did not succeed, but much of what they would have liked to do seems to be happening as a result of new technologies. One goal that comes to mind was the concept that every German citizen be educated the same way developing their society into one homogeneous group.
That is one of the key problems I see with online education. It seems that the Departments of Education on a national level and the state level insist that all students are taught the same things the same way when using online environments. Without going into much detail, it appears to be a system of what the governments want students to learn is what they will get in the online classroom. I retired from full-time professorship at a local college teaching in the classroom. Each professor had their own expertise in the subjects they taught. Even though the texts and materials were the same for each class, the actual content the students received from the individual professor was different beyond the basics as outlined in the course objectives. Online, every student gets the same presentation and the same assessment. In many cases online, the faculty facilitator is not allowed to add anything to the assessment topics to insure the student is not using information from others that responded to the same assessment in the past.
As I feel that online will somewhat replace in-the-classroom learning, there will be a case for not eliminating the in-the-classroom environment completely.
The other thing that might ruin the case for online learning is the “cheating†factor. As our society moves more and more toward a system away from a clear “right and wrong†and toward a society that uses the system of “individuality makes the method of achievementâ€, there will be a backlash that might slow down or partially eliminate the online educational environment.
No matter what happens, I feel it will not completely happen in my nor my children’s lifetime.
I don't think so. Online instruction can allow access to more students, but I think that students are going to want at least some face-to-face contact, especially in my discipline (math). Also some of the more independent learners can flourish in a purely online environment, but not all students have the same learning abilities or styles.
I see that somewhere in between, such as blended or web-enhanced might be the answer. However, we might end up keeping all of it, depending on sub-ject matter, abilities, and learning sty;es.
It seems as though online learning is becoming more and more popular with students. The flexibility it provides is attractive to students that work, have family responsibilities and personal obligations. I don't believe it will happen in the very near future, however, I do feel that online learning will replace the traditional classroom someday. Kindergartners are being taught computer technology, middle school students are computer savvy and some high schools have an online component available for advanced placement courses. It seems as though we are getting young students ready for the time when the online environment replaces the traditional classroom.
Eileen,
You are probably right, I just had to take the chance to play devil's advocate :-)
Herbert Brown III
Herbert,
Thanks for the note. Having worked in Silicon Valley for technology firms and also knowing many engineering working on the "bleeding edge" of creative knowledge, I still believe that AI will never complete and accurately replace human contextual intention and meaning.
- Doc Wibbeke
