Eileen,
Just to play devils advocate...have you seen movies such as A.I. where the android beings are very lifelike and are programmed to exhibit levels of behaviors that closely resemble human emotions. I know it might be many, many years away; however, if we had robots with this "human" effect would that negate your statement? Technology is changing at an exponential rate - scary at times!
Herbert Brown III
Mamie,
You identified the KEY element: your learning style. Not everyone performs well in online environments. Just as not all students perform well in all forms of traditional classrooms.
Herbert Brown III
Herbert,
I disagree with this statement in the fact that nothing will ever complete convey the true context of content better than a human. Right now you have humans connecting with humans via technology, but to replace teachers with machines that instruct students will never have the full value of human interaction. Touch means trust (Charles Handy).
- Dr. Eileen Wibbeke
Online learning can be beneficial to those with hectic schedules or for students afar, but I think it will ultimately depend on the individual. I've attended the traditional college, as well as take online courses. For my learning style, I prefer to be in a classroom. It could also just be everything needs an adjustment period.
james,
You mention trade schools and traditional schools will be using more online learning. What about in areas such as carpentry. Will you be teaching carpentry or cabinet making online? Do you believe online learning will replace all traditional classrooms or just some?
Herbert Brown III
This is a hard question to answer due to the fact that we are social beings who yearn for face to face physical contact with others. We are slowing shifting from a physical world to a virtual world. I teach in both and have found that only those who are willing to succeed in the virtual world do so. As the old saying goes "where there's a will there's a way". Furthermore, as the Ivy League Universities are shifting to a virtual world the acceptance level will grow. However, the stigma of what university you attend will still be with us. So, my short answer is yes virtual education will replace traditional education but I do not believe traditional education will go away complete. To replace, in this case, is simply a way of saying being more popular.
More traditional types of schools and especially trade schools will continue to incorporate Online learning in their curriculum.
Amanda,
We are seeing an increase in online learning and hybrid learning that combines the best of both environments. Completely replace....only time will tell, but probably not in the immediate future. I also teach computer classes in the classroom and online. Let me play devils advocate. What is the fundamental difference of a student watching (and able to rewatch whenever they want) how to complete a computer function in a video than watching a teacher do it in the classroom live? What if the instructor is doing it through LIVE video and can still answer your questions LIVE and they record the entire session so the student can go back and review it anytime they want. They can't rewind a live classroom session in a traditional classroom. Just curious on your thoughts of what makes the real difference here.
Herbert Brown III
I do not think that online learning will eventually replace traditional classrooms, but it is definitely a good alternative/choice to acquire knowledge and experience.
We know that there are people that still need the face-to-face interaction with the instructor and other students.
I just don't see how it can completely replace a traditional classroom because we have many different types of learners. I think an online course takes a certain type of discipline that some may find difficult. I teach a lot of computer classes and it's so hands on. People pay to take these classes to learn their software from an instructor because they may not have the time or discipline to watch online tutorials that essentially teach them the same thing.
Patricia,
You have hit on several strong points. Online learning will continue to grow and we will see an increase in hybrid learning environments where much of the "content" of a course or program is delivered online and the remaining critical hands on components are focused on those types of critical skills.
Herbert Brown III
I believe online learning will not completely replace traditional classroom instruction--but I do believe online learning will encompass an ever increasing market share. My target audience is healthcare professionals. Much of the learning can be online--yet a hands on component is needed to varying degrees depending on the clinical specialty. However, removing the time/location barriers of traditional classrooms is very attractive to working adults.
Beverly,
Even in the programs we traditionally consider hands-on and skills based. Also those courses that require specialized equipment. We are seeing an increase in hybrid courses, wherein the faculty member moves the "static/knowledge" content to an online form and opens more time in the on-ground classroom to focus on those elements that need to be there.
Herbert Brown III
Online programs will not completely replace on ground programs. The face-to-face instruction is still important for many students. There are instances when the face to face environment may not allow the students to optimally interact. I will admit that some students do feel freer to interact in the online format because in this environment, it is easier to not be ridicule by fellow classmates. However, there are definitely certain programs in which there is no substitute for the hands on face to face interactions that occur in the on ground format.
Not entirely...there are still many classes that benefit best from a traditional classroom setting (trades, medical, skills). I think for now, online is a great supplement especially for general education and advanced degrees. They afford people that otherwise would be unable to take advantage of the ability to enhance their education.
I think that e-learning will never fully replace classroom based training. Face to face, delivery still has a lot to offer, not least the interaction between the participants and the training consultant. This is something that is not easily replicated. Classroom based training is not just about information giving. It’s about participant engagement and experience. Often the instructor will have to be flexible in their delivery as the needs of the participants.
Herbert,
I do believe that online classes will eventually host the majority of students due to several factors:
(1) break down of family (more single parents)
(2) economic factors forcing teens to work
(3) relocation occurring more often so online environment more flexible
(4) online being recognized as effective learning
(5) online especially meets the needs of the disciplined intellectual student w asynchronous learning
(6) possible war threats will cause parents to pull their students out of the traditional schools to have them in their home (a safer environment than in public) Lauralee
Eric ,
Some would argue with the right tools and online course design that you can build very interactive environments for your students. The more you build a sense of community in your courses with your students, the more natural it will feel.
Herbert Brown III
We currently use a blended curriculum, so the online environment is only part of the students' total experience.
The program has been in place for nearly a year (our previous courses were 100% on campus)and I'll confess that I don't believe that the online course will ever replace a traditional face to face learning environment.
Speaking as a latecomer to teaching, I look forward to my time in the classroom or lab area so that I can get to know my students; figure out how they interact and react to certain situations, how well they retain information, and so forth. I think that without human interaction, many of those things are too hard to gauge.
I completely agree. I think many people are reluctant to realize that the days of the brick and mortar school are waning, but they are. Technology is making actual buildings obsolete. While many people of the older generations see technology as an add-on to their daily lives, younger generations see technology as a completely immersed part of their daily lives. They have never lived without technology, and as a result, with each subsequent generation, we are going to see students who rely less on people for their learning and more on individual exploration and experimentation. Behaviorist learning is out; constructivist learning is in.
I do not think this means we will quit communicating with students, however. The expert, the facilitator, is still going to play a critical role in online learning. Students need guidance. Even if they are constructing their own learning modules and determining where they want to go next, they need experts in the field guiding them toward credible sources and reliable methodologies. Only the delivery method will change.
I find this very exciting. I do not think that traditional classrooms will be replaced by online classrooms completely within my lifetime, but I have no doubt that in 200 years, there will be no more buildings for students to travel to on a daily basis. Technology rocks!
Rebecca
