Limitations and Misconceptions | Origin: EL113
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Active Learning in an Online Environment --> Limitations and Misconceptions
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
Many students have no prior experience in active learning or critical thinking. They want a list of things they need to know for the test and are not interested in learning about the subject. Another issue is that students may take a transactional approach to education in that they paid for the course not to learn but rather to get a grade.
Preparation is a key factor in having a successful online course. Technology needs to be operable to teach the lesson.
In this section I have learned that explaining students their role in active learning is critical. Also they should understand the advantages of this teaching phylosophy. Second, the teaching institution should be able to provide the instructor with all the necesary tool for this type of teaching. Most institutions only provide power points material for clasical presentation and lecture. The instructor can be in a frustrating situation without the needed resources even thought you are looking forward to do more dynamic teaching.
Instructors, for the most part, love what they do professionally and love to teasch, but incentives are still a good way to help motivate an instructor :)
Always be open to new changes pertaining to education. Make sure your technology and materials are working properly, are up to date and always have a backup plan. It is frustrating for the students as well as the instructor when something goes wrong or is not working, it takes way from the learning experience.
I have found that technology can be a great ally in achieving and maintaining engagement in class. But I also find it a disctraction when it comes to e-learning. In my past online experience I had students who have told me that they spend 75% on social media than in their school courses. Technology has helped many people succeed but has also been an enormous distraction for most of the students.
Limitations and Misconceptions of what you've learned and how you intend to apply it
One big takeaway from this section is the importance of having technology available and accessible to all students, so that they can effectively participate in these active learning activities, regardless of when and where they are studying from. It's so important for universities to provide the necessary resources for students living and studying in a digital world.
I also have a concern about these low-stakes, but high engagement activities--while they may be very conducive to higher-order learning and building of critical thinking skills, how can instructors get students to fully engage in these activities when the point values may be fairly low? Students are more invested in activities and assessments heavily weighted, point-value wise, and if a low-stakes activity requires too much from them, time or energy-wise, they may pass it over for what they perceive to be more "important" assignments.
The information in this section somewhat mimics the techniques we use in my organization. I have found most of these techniques are very effective expecially video feedback and visual communication.
Even though online learning has its perks in the sense of it being feasible to individuals with their working schedules, it poses risks. Might cause students to not be actively engaged in comparison to being in person. But also, their are students who are not tech savy and might have issues navigating and also internet connection and speed is something of concern.
Understanding the technology you're using and making sure it's running effctively. Even in my own experience I'm very knowledgable with the programs we use however if it's not working probably it can cause a fuss.
I believe that institutions can be stuck in the middle of achieving and maintaing their credentials/certifications while incorporating new techniques. Technology is a big limitation as well. I've had students try to take more course primarily on a tablet or mobile phone and it just doesn't work. School libraries are shut down due to COVID. I've had others in Africa going to internet cafes with lousy connections. It all deters from the best of intentions.
In this module I learned the different challenges that you can encounter when implementing Active Learning. The challenges can be with the students, instructors, the institution, or technology. It is important to communicate the significance of Active Learning to the students so that they can understand the benefits in their learning process which includes critical thinking. As instructors we need to change the traditional way of teaching (lecture) and implement innovative methods. We also need the support of the institutions we work for and to be able to troubleshoot any technology issues we or the students may encounter.
This section provides realistic obstacles and challenges related to active learning. Definitely, there are stigmas and biases among educators, for sure there are students who are less than motivated and would prefer an easy course, even if there is no learning involved, and obviously, technology can create multiple challenges, especially if an institution lacks resources for a quality LMS. That said, beyond the barriers, there is an opportunity to create engagement and better learning.
Active learning gets the students involed and increases retention of information.
It was an interesting read, especially addressing the concerns and doubts concerning active learning techniques and practices.
The success with active learning has a lot to do with the resources provided by the institution to ensure technology supports the activities. Issues with technology (which I am sure most have expereinced) can be frustrating for students and embarrassing for faculty.
Visual learning tools such as labeling, graphs, and chart organization help students grasp concepts that can be difficult to understand in the written form.
We have beeb in transition to a hybrid learning since the start of covid and its been both fun and challenging. I still have mixed feelings about it because I do miss lectures which were more like conversations with my class. I never really just lectured and made them listen, it was more like a guded conversation so I guess active learning has always been a part of what I do. It does involve a lot more lab activities today and students seem to enjoy it.
