In the k-12 world I know that a lot of the summer school courses are now online and that online classes are an option for students. There are even institutions that are providing free public education online that do transfer to a college upon graduation.
I think that this statement may be better worded as; online learning will become an integrated part of the traditional educational model. Our society is technology based in almost every area. I think the push for online learning from an institutions standpoint is based on the budget and the cost effectiveness of the online classes. From a students perspective the flexibility and the independent learning is a huge motivator. However, there are still some students who will need and want the traditional classroom. Also, there are certain programs that the information can not be given online such as labs etc.
Peter,
The research base would also suggest that while online courses enrollments and programs as still growing, blended and hybrid environments are also growing as instructors see the general benefits of online learning tools and methods.
Herbert Brown III
Short answer is no. Going completely with online learning, which might make the most economic sense, is not practical for the instructor or students. There are still tangible benefits of having that face-to-face interaction between the instructor and student. A more likely scenario is that all future courses will be a blended or hybrid experience. To reduce the time in the classroom, courses could offer the initial portion of the course online in which students review and discuss the course material. There could be a traditional classroom portion where group projects (breakout sessions) could be accomplished and presented in front of the whole class. This would allow the students to demonstrate their grasp of key concepts. The course assessment could still be conducted online.
That is an interesting question. I think both will continue to exist because, frankly, one size does not fit all.
Online courses worked well for me in obtaining my Masters. My husband was fresh in Higher Education, and we moved about several times. I liked the convenience of taking it with me where I went.
Matthew,
It is interesting to hear your students with learning disabilities do not do well. Do you think that is due to the nature of the delivery of the content and it could be remedied if you changed the course design?
Herbert Brown III
As an instructor in both venues I say No and disagree. I believe the traditional classroom will always be necessary for those with a learning style that is not conducive to e-learning. Some students need the face to face daily interaction in order to thrive and succeed. I have also found that my students with learning disabilities do not do well with the online classroom.
Nicole,
I would agree that the skills courses can be the hardest. However, I have seen successful blended environments that allow the students to complete all of the core content through online classes and provide lab, or OJT types of experiences for the hands on components. You could also do internships, field rotations (like the medical field and teaching) and others.
Herbert Brown III
Angela,
It is growing, however, and will continue to grow. Another area of growth is hybrid, blended and flipped classrooms that try to combine the best of the online learning environment with traditional classrooms. We will continue to see these types of classrooms in the very near future.
Herbert Brown III
Personal, most of my schooling has been in the online environment. However, I can’t say that I totally agree with this statement. There are some things you’re unable to learn online. For example, becoming a Physical Therapy Assistant. You’re able to take your initial/basic classes online but your labs and extern/intern classes will have to be completed in a face to face environment.
I do not think online learning will replace traditional classrooms. Online learning is another option for students to learn and continue their education. I teach both traditional and online settings. Many students prefer to go to a traditional setting to view their instructor and to interact with their classmates. However some of these "traditional" students may have one vitural class per term.
Online learning is an option but will never replace the traditional classroom experience.
I don't think online learning will every completely replace traditional classroom instruction because students will always crave (and need) face-to-face interaction and hands-on experience. In the field I work in (Audio Engineering), there are certain things that simply can't be demonstrated fully online– operating a mixing board, studio experience, etc. However, there are many aspects of the audio industry (beat making, music production, sound design) that can be taught quite effectively "in-the-box."
Amgad,
We are certainly seeing a continued strong push in online learning, but the other area of strong growth is the blended or hybrid models where completely online may not work. It allows you to offer as much content as possible through online mechanisms while still maintaining an in-person presence for the critical and necessary hands-on elements of a course.
Herbert Brown III
I agree it will replace classroom for some courses.
However,there are many other courses that require hands on and online learning can not replace it.
Catina,
I agree, but online learning is still growing rapidly. Blended and hybrid learning environments are also growing rapidly as faculty realize the power of the online learning tools that can be used in any environment.
Herbert Brown III
No, I do not agree with this statement. I do believe that more and more traditional classes will be offered online at traditional colleges and universities. The transition to an online learning platform may depend upon the subject as well. For business classes, it is relatively easy to teach online. For math and science classes, it may not be as easy.
Hello Mr. Brown,
I don't think online learning will take place of traditional learning because we have students with different needs. Online learning is not designed for all student populations. While I love the online platform, many of my friends do not.
Catina
I think will is incorrect word. I would say Online has replaced traditional classroom delivery. Some of the largest for-profit universities together have several 100 thousand students. Public universities have added online or hybrid classes.
I taught for 9 years in F2F classrooms and said I would never teach online or distant learning classes. Well, not I teach 100% FT at one university (9 yrs) and PT a hybrid class at another college (4 yrs). In addition, I designed and taught a 4 hr online class for a non-profit organization.
Now, I am not totally saying online classes will replace ALL traditional classrooms. Would you like your Doctor to perform heart surgery on you who has never seen a live heart or person, and received all his/her training Online? I don't think so!
There are some professions that will require hands-on training. You can build a car with rebots for example, but can it replace your water pump? Or do you need a machanic? It might! I also realise some surgery now is done by robots, but by a person operating the robot. You need some hands-on training.
Would you want to fly in a commercial airplane where the pilot learned to fly from online classes or simulations?
You may think I'm getting off the subject, but my point is in my opinion computers cannot replace man who has to have hands-on training in some disciplines.
But will Online classes outnumber and replace many traditional classes? Yes, because we can serve more students online than in the F2F classroom, asynchronous lectures are more convenient, and the student can learn at his/hers owm pace.
Technology like YourTube, Adobe Breeze (etc), videos, computers, internet, search engines like Google and Bing, and others will all get better and faster. You can now Google instructions for just about any topic.
Bill Falls
Jeannine,
Online learning is still growing and blended/hybrid learning environments are growing rapidly as well. I am not sure online will completely replace traditional learning, as I would not want a surgeon working on be that did only "virtual" surgeries; however, blending the online content with hands on skills development will continue to be a norm and will grow in skills-based career pathways.
Herbert Brown III
I think that online learning will eventually replace the traditional classroom as technology has made this possible. The traditional classroom is great, however, today's students want the technology. They are very savvy with it and want to incorporate it into everything they do. Students like short bursts of information and they want it quickly. Sitting in a traditional classroom for an hour is boring to students and they quickly become disinterested.
Jeannine Wieland
