Attitudes can be a challenge in online learning. Providing students with clear expectations and activities that promote community and engagement is important.
Online courses can work both ways. The advantages of online learning can be very convenient for adult learners with small children, transportation issues and medical issues or caring for family member with special needs. I was an online learner and it worked great for me because of my situation.
The disadvantages of online learning are not being able to have a direct contact with instructors to explained materials in very easy to learn ways, the hands on are not there as well. Technology can be a pain and very frustration especially in deadlines. Students have their focuses on other things rather than what they are doing in the present. Students always wait last moments to submit assignments. Students becomes very distracted and lazy.
I never took into consideration in doing active learning the student becomes responsible for their own learning. As an instructor I took it to heart if the student hadn't learned anything from my lectures. in today's age of cell phone distractions; active learning would be the best approach to catch the student's attention.
While active learning is a very important part of the development for critical thinking, it is difficult to monitor and support. Having said that, it is important to find the means to provide such learning if possible, as it weighs the students ability to utilize almost a complete sphere of their intellectual and educational skills.
You need to test the technology you use for an online course so as not to hinder online learning. You also need to make sure your students have the necessary equipment to be able to participate and complete assignments.
Back up plan is always good to have when technology fails to ensure student learning is not interrupted
As an instructor, it's important to clearly outline the communication methods we'll use so that students can stay fully engaged.
I learned that you must be prepared at all times to make sure that as an instructor, you do not lose control of the class.
The thing that struck me the most was thinking about the inequities in students' access to particular technologies when committing to particular activities that can be helpful for active learning.
Comment on Kathy Barajas's post: this is my dear Kathy
That is why it is a dynamic work of three, a collaborative and cooperative work between educational institutions, instructors and students; where we express the needs and the reason for them to maintain a good academic level that is in the interest of everyone.
I have learned that it is a joint effort – Institutions – Instructor – student, if there is no support from one of the parties, the application of active and online learning will not succeed, no matter how contributing it may be.
In the introductory class I will incorporate a brief explanation of what active learning entails and how they (students) can make the most of it and with confidence that they are learning and even more than with traditional learning; and become aware that the responsibility for their learning lies primarily with them.
I'm glad to see others posted about faulty technology in the classroom because this disturbs me so much when this happens. All the planning in the world, a multi-layered, well thought out lesson plan are all for naught if the technology won't work.
From this module, I have learned that online teaching may encounter quite a few misconceptions by students. To help with this problem, a teacher may have an assignment to complete before moving on to any other assignment that confirms the complete syllabus and course objectives have been read and understood.
Active learning activities can take longer preparation, and inadequate technology can be a barrier for the instructor and the learner.
I most appreciated the thought that this online learning environment may take extra time to review the relevance of course materials and strategies, using a definite, concrete reason for students to use the engagement tools. Designing adult learning experiences takes interest, reflection, and support to create online courses that are effective.
I have learnt the benefits of using additional instructional materials, getting peer support, and monitoring my students closely to ensure they are learning the content
In order to be efficient, technology has to work properly
I learned the online instruction can often take more time to plan
If Institutions want to be successful they need to make sur that instructions have all the necessary tools to create an active learning environment. Institutions need to be aware of the time needed to implement these techniques and reward instructors who implement. Instructors who can get students to be more engaged are a major asset to the institution.
I am currently in a MPH program locally and many courses do not use this approach. It is very difficult for a lot of students to just read material and completely teach themselves how to do everything, also it doesn't make a lot of sense when they are paying to be taught. I would love to see more collaboration, videos, and games to help keep me engaged. I am just like the students that struggle if they are not being taught through active learning so really appreciate this approach.
