Institutional Issues
In your opinion, what is the biggest institutional obstacle when it comes to supporting active learning in the online environment?
The technology must be front and center. Not only must the technology itself be available, but there must also be dedicated support to keep the technology working and up-to-date.
I agree. I think that technology, though may be seen as a blessing, is often times a curse! I have encountered countless students who do not understand how to use the technology because they are not familiar with an online environment, or do not understand how to find what they are looking for on the Internet because they have not have the proper training. It would be great if each online institution could make it mandatory that all students take a basic technology course before taking classes. For example, I have worked for an online school that required instructors to do some training in their platform so that the instructor would know how to use the platform correctly. And the instructors had to "pass" the modules with a certain grade. I think that students should have a similar training. It would surely cut down on the migraines I get! :-)
Lauren ,
That would be my experience also and even more evident is that the students sometimes wait until it is too late (i.e. missed exams, etc.) to start the communication process. Thanks for being in the class.
Renee Shaffer
The biggest institutional obstacle is communication barriers. Students struggle with effective communication. In my experience, students tend to wait until the last minute to communicate their issues and concerns.
Hello,
The biggest institutional obstacle when it comes to supporting active learning in the online environment is having technology issues and when there is a problem, it is imperative that the problem be solved immediately, as opposed to having someone get back with you the next day or two. Major concern could be if you are in the process of conducting a live chat and you are having a challenge to enter the class, and unable to do so, then you have frustration, disappointments and lack of future participation.
Lack of update of course with current professional trends.
Janis,
Yes, the money situation is problematic for good ideas to go forth. Frustrating to say the least!
Renee Shaffer
Sharon,
Time, time, time. It is a struggle for almost everyone that I know. Trying to find the time to work in groups is also problematic for my students.
Renee Shaffer
The biggest obstacle is budgetary.
I mention all the neat things I could do with my on-line classes, and administration agrees how great that would be. But when push comes to shove, there is no money for the equipment.
So, there really is nothing I can do.
This is very frustrating.
I feel the biggest institutional obstacle is time. In an online environment you are lucky to have 1 hour of synchronous class time and even luckier if you have 2-3 students attending the chat. In active learning students need to be working together, if they don't do it in the synchronous chat they have to coordinate the time to do it sometime during the week. The students struggle with this scheduling and the faculty could lose their mind attempting to 'guess' when the students engage in the activity and then facilitate the learning.
Molly,
Yes, that is so problematic. I understand completely about the no extra time or compensation and we are constantly asked to give more of ourselves. Let's hope that someday that the time and the resources will be given.
Renee Shaffer
Victoria,
I agree technology can be an advantage for adult learners. It allows them the opportunity to work at their own pace. However, that requires them to have discipline and stay fully engaged. I think instructors have to act as facilitators but they must also maintain a presence with the students.
For me personally, I feel the biggest obstacle is getting the extra support needed to provide active learning in the classroom. For the institution I work for, you do not get extra time or compensation for creating an active classroom. I also feel because it is an online institution, it is very difficult to "meet" with other faculty to discuss how to improve the classroom by using active learning. It would be great if we had time and the resources for both.
Yvette,
I don't know if there will ever be a perfect LMS. but some are pretty good.
Renee Shaffer
Lois,
That would be an ideal plan!
Renee Shaffer
I think that the biggest obstacle is the issues that arise with the LMS. This can be demotivating to students and cause them to become disengaged.
Institutions need to sponsor seminars for instructors on how to develop videos and other resources and incorporate them into the institutions virtual learning platform.
Victoria,
There is something called the Technology Burden which means that things change too frequently for instructors and others to keep up with it.
Renee Shaffer
The biggest institutional obstacle that I've encountered would have to be technology issues and having the adequate staff to assist students. Even though most of us use technology, we can still somewhat be hesitant or unsure of the specifics involved. From an instructor's perspective, they may only know how to solve issues with their computer and feel unsure in assisting a student. From a student's perspective, once there's a problem, they may tend to procrastinate rather than proceed with the necessary steps(locating Tech Support contact information, calling and waiting for a representative) to take you to the next level. If the company or school has a solid technology team, one deterrent could be eliminated.
M. Allen
