Daniel,
Interesting perspective. I would agree with much of what you mention. There are pros and cons of online delivery. However, the research does show that clearly Online is still growing as well as web hybrid or blended classrooms. I personally do not believe that online will completely replace traditional; however, we will continue to see growth in the areas most easily transferred to online environments.
Herbert Brown III
EL 102 Forum 2
The cost of tuition and cost of living are skyrocketing. Is the easy answer yes to online education, yes. But, there are social and economic aspects to the questions that can’t be omitted. The question is basic but this could be part of a dissertation or book. In more feminine, low power distance countries, education will easily transition to online. The opposite is true for high power distance cultures, the haves and have nots, the gaps will widen and education will be for only the wealthy and the trades will increase but not at the current cost of for profit institutions. This is the idea of capitalism, is it not?
EL 102 Forum 2
The cost of tuition and cost of living are skyrocketing. Is the easy answer yes to online education, yes. But, there are social and economic aspects to the questions that can’t be omitted. The question is basic but this could be part of a dissertation or book. In more feminine, low power distance countries, education will easily transition to online. The opposite is true for high power distance cultures, the haves and have nots, the gaps will widen and education will be for only the wealthy and the trades will increase but not at the current cost of for profit institutions. This is the idea of capitalism, is it not?
Denese,
Blended and hybrid learning environments are growing rapidly in popularity because of the power of online tools being used in traditional learning environments. I think we will see most learning environments go to at least a hybrid model to benefit from the useful online tools.
Herbert Brown III
Hello Herbert!
I do not believe that traditional classroom (aka "ground") learning will ever go away. There is a place for both the online and ground learning environments.
Individuals learn in different ways. While some students prefer the convenience of online degree programs, others benefit more from being in a physical space with their professor and classmates. Some folks even like the concept of hybrid learning; a degree program with classes in a ground dynamic and others online. Hybrid programs can benefit someone who really prefers a traditional classroom but offers some flexibility with optional online classes within their program (can be helpful in order to work around family or work scheduling conflicts).
Thank you for the opportunity to share my feedback, Denese Downing Phillips
John,
Good point, most universities have realized that online is not going away and have created at least SOME online programs. The trick is for the university to find the "niche" programs that they can successfully put online. Blended and hybrid environments are also becoming very popular with universities.
Herbert Brown III
Antonia,
We are seeing a strong growth in blended or hybrid environments and online still is growing; however, I would agree that online is unlikely to completely replace the traditional classroom. In addition to preference, skills programs such as welding, surgery, and such would require a substantial in person presence.
Herbert Brown III
I do not believe online learning will replace traditional classroom delivery. I do believe that it will become a standard offering in all universities. Online learning meets the needs of some learners just as classroom delivery meets the needs of others. If a university intends to meet the needs of society, it will offer courses through both avenues.
John Lofton
I don't believe so, although online learning is gaining in popularity. Some students prefer the traditional classroom, mainly due to their learning preference.
I believe that we are going to have both going parallel for the sake of people's preference. As mentioned above, we will see a lot of the hybrid method being implemented even in the most traditional set ups. So we are more leaned to the online learning however, traditional classroom delivery should remain as a choice.
Absro
I don't think online will completely replace the classroom. I do think that we will have courses that will more resemble the hybrid course in the future. I believe campus based classes will start to leverage the online CMS resources to enhance the learning opportunities for students when they are outside of the classroom.
Elizabeth,
True, we are still seeing a strong growth in online courses. We are also seeing an increase in the use of online tools to build web hybrid or blended classrooms. Many students still prefer the traditional classes as well.
Herbert Brown III
Hi Herbert,
Just like there're varying degrees of quality in face-to-face classrooms, there are also varying degrees of quality in online instruction.
As it stands now, many believe that there are certain content areas which do not fully lend themselves to online training. Many vocational areas with hands on skills are often difficult to to present, demonstrate, and assess online. However, there still maybe many courses within a vocational curriculum that can be delivered online. So in that respect, online learning would be replacing those courses.
But we should never limit ourselves to how we view today's technology. Technology continues to improve and what may not seem possible today maybe easily achievable with tomorrow's technology =)
cheers, mj
Online learning will not replace the traditional classroom learning; however, in the world that we are leaving now, more and more people are trying to work full time while going to school. To these people, taking online classes will be the best choice.
Elizabeth
John,
That is also why we are seeing a large growth in the blended or hybrid learning environments to build on the best of both.
Herbert Brown III
Not in the foreseeable future. Some student want that face to face connection. Both online and onsite instruction have advantages and disadvantages, neither is perfect. I teach in both, and would have to say that onsite instruction is still more effective.
Lisa,
I would argue that many aspects of the traditional classroom might go online, but many people still want the traditional in person experience and some career pathways require substantial in person skill building to be successful. Web hybrid and online might replace traditional, but it seems that some traditional elements might still need to remain.
Herbert Brown III
I think online learning has been a great improvement in education, not only giving opportunities to individuals who did not have access to education before but creating a new breed of learners.
I have to disagree in the statement that traditional classes will ever be replace. There are professions out there that can only be accomplished through the close relationship of practice with a tutor or mentor. Specially in the medical and construction field.
More mathematical and numerical career definitely could be totally replaced. And I think due to the new online environment, new careers will emerge.
Virginia
I would never have said this when teaching exclusively on ground, but now that I am teaching online I do feel that online learning will replace the traditional classroom, especially for adult learners. The rise for virtual collaboration between work teams in a professional environment, social media, and time constraints will ensure that online learning becomes both more prevalent and more acceptable in the job market.
I disagree. Online learning will not totally replace the traditional classroom delivery of instructions. The first reason I disagree is because as humans we are social animals. We crave connection and interaction. Socializing with new people, establishing new relationships, and being exposed to new and different people allow for individuals to grow, change, and learn.
Another reason the online setting will not replace the traditional classroom is the experience of the classroom is essential to achieving. The classroom setting offers the students the opportunity to grow professionally. They are in a situation where they are interacting with professional people and it allows for them to learn how to act in a professional setting. Not having this setting would handicap the student once they are in the professional setting of the career they desire. Online education does not allow for the student to role play and learn how to be professional.
The thrird reason online education will not replace the traditional classroom is hands on experience. Most jobs require some type of clinical experience or knowledge of how thing work and operate. Online classes do not offer the hands on experience and practice the traditional classroom can offer. Employers want to hire trained individuals who know how to do their job. They do not want to waste time and money training employees hoe to do the job. They are focused on tescjphing the new hire how their business operates.
