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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.

Comment on David Gardner II's post: Completely agree. My son is doing online classes and he makes many remarks that he wants to go back to a classroom. It is all new and requires change, and sometimes that is difficult. But we can support and walk our students to success.

Active learning in the online environment will be new for me. I have used engaging activities to foster active communication in the class through questions. We use the LMS system to post discussions and submit answers to questions.                                                                                                                                                                      

Students taking responsibility for their learning will be a challenge. I did hear the importance of making sure students learn the learn the rationale for new methods. I believe with exposure over time the process can be successfully.

There will be problems with new methods of delivery and receipt of knowledge. Solutions will depend on understanding what it is, why it is important, and the planned activities for implementing.

The instructor should communicate what active learning is and the activities that the class will be doing. Lectures may need to be implemented differently.

I learned the limitations of implementing online learning for both the instructor and the student. Both the student and the instructor can have negative attitudes. Misconceptions by students often relate to the feeling that they do not learn.

It may take instructor more time to plan and implement active learning than straight lecture.  Students may resist the active learning preferring passive learning.  It is important for the instructor to set the expectations of the class and let the students know active learning will be included in the course, what that means, and why it will help them to learn.

I learned that it is important to have an understanding of the understanding of the limitations of the technologies for the courses that I am going to teach. Not even just in tech. but also involving my resources in class. I will do my best to be realistic in my creation of assignments, etc. 

earning is initiated by a real-world, complex problem that students must investigate and resolve. The process of tackling the problem drives the need to learn new information, making the learning highly relevant and engaging.

I learned that active learning can face limitations such as technological challenges, misconceptions about workload, and resistance from both students and instructors. However, with clear communication, proper planning, and institutional support, these barriers can be reduced. I intend to apply this by designing structured, engaging activities, explaining their value to students, and ensuring technological readiness to create a meaningful learning experience.

Some students believe tha online learning may be easier when it can actually require much more from them as they have more responsibilty on themselves and have to hold themselved acountable more than seeing a proffesor in the classroom everyday. With active learning we have to facilitate and encourage them to do their best. 

In virtual education, the use of AI introduces several limitations and misconceptions related to assessment. Instructors often face limited visibility into student engagement and learning processes, especially in asynchronous environments, making it harder to verify the authenticity of student work. The strong reliance on written assignments in online courses increases assessment design challenges, while reduced real-time interaction limits opportunities to observe spontaneous reasoning and problem-solving skills. At the same time, common misconceptions persist, such as the belief that virtual learning is inherently less rigorous, that banning AI or increasing surveillance guarantees academic integrity, or that only synchronous assessments are reliable. In reality, effective assessment in virtual education depends less on technology and control, and more on thoughtful instructional design that emphasizes active learning, reflection, and process-oriented evaluation.

The most worrying issue seems to be that students believe that active learning will be simpler and quicker than traditional learning.  It may be funnier, but it may also take more work and time than expected. We, teachers, must make additional efforts to correctly estimate those times. 

Los estudiantes muchas veces no le otorgan la verdadera importancia al aprendizaje en linea, puesto que se escudan en que devenga una mayor parte de esfuerzo por su parte y le restan el valor al docente encargado de prepararles todo el material

Learners sometimes do not recognize how much "work" is required of them in an online, active learning environment. They then believe that the instructors are not teaching enough or effectively, when in reality they are not utilizing the course in a way that gains them the insight and knowledge they seek.

Students often find the active learning classroom format difficult becuase it requires more work on their part. They sometimes complain that the instructor is "not teaching them anything." Similarly, the instructor must do more prep work ahead of the class to guide students in their learning. The instructor often feels a loss of control of learning. Other difficulties can include technology problems when implementing active learning activities online.

It's tough to ensure students are actually grasping the concept.

Active learning takes more of the instructor's and students' time. This can be met with pushback from both. It is important to remember that active learning is backed by research as more effective, so it is worth the time investment.

I am excited to use more active learning techniques with my students, however, I will make a post that expresses the benefits it brings for the student and a brief explanation of the types of active learning assignments, and projects I will use in the course, so they are primed for success. 

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