Online learning is definetely becoming more prominent than ever and it's here to stay. However some students learn on different levels.
The biggest challenge that I have seen is that without the face to face interaction, we don't have the common ground to know where the student is at, what their skill level is and if they are getting lost until it is too late. Sometimes, I have seen a student seem to be doing fine, but then tell me that they were lost. It doesn't matter that I have asked every class if they are okay or if there are any issues. They don't seem to feel confident to voice their need for help.
Gloria, This session was very informative in breaking done the begining of onlie learning, the different steps of technology
Alot of the material discussed was very informative. I feel like it has helped me to understand different ways of both challenging and motivating my online students. Students have to be willing to do their part in the online course but as an instructor I have to make myself availlable to help with the understanding and education of the course.
Time Management is an essential part of online learning, at the beginning of course student has to make sure they understand how important it will be to manage their time so the assignments can be completed. Giving as zero should not be an option, reach out to the student, send email make the effort to reach the student and give helpful tips on how to better manage their time.
In this module, I learned today's students can choose from a variety of learning modalities that involve varying levels of technology-enhanced instruction; such as: traditional, web-facilitated, blended/hybrid, and online. In addition, I also learned about the many issues that online students encounter; and how they can be classified into one or more of the seven compentencies: self-managment, self-advocacy, technologocial fulency, information literacy, research skills, writing skills, and virtual collaboration.
There are more non-traditional students than traditioinal. On line classes tend to attract students with busy lives. Need to gear up for the adult learner type.
I agree that technology has changed the way student participate in education. Online learning would help those student who have busy life schedule and it provides good oppertunities for different levels learning. Also, to make it successful for learning, the student need to have self-management, self-advocacy, and technologicy fluency. I have some students in my class, they have hard time with technology skills that really effected their learning.
What I learned in this was the online learning environment and face to face environment.
Great session in breaking down the levels of online learning vs face to face
Although the advances of online learning methods/technologies has made an impact on education and teaching students I cannot help but wonder if it has truly helped those of us teaching in CTE fields requiring hands on skill. When it comes to certain types of learning where hands on learning and skills are necessary to learn and required to obtain employment I have found students can be broken down into three categories. They are as follows:
- Students who do well in the online portion but fail when it comes to the hands on portion such as lab
- Students who do not do well in the online portion but excel when it comes to the hands on portion such as lab
- Students who do well in both the online portion and the hands on portion such as lab
So armed with this knowledge I have found through experience that Hybrid courses or a combination of traditional and online instruction is the be best mode of instruction for my particular subject matter. We have also heard from employers, through our yearly Advisory Committee meetings, that students need to be able to interact with each other, superviors, and in teams as well as understand ontime behavior when it comes to being an effective and productive employee.
Perhaps surprisingly, in 2010 the U.S. Department of Education found that on average, students in online learning environments performed modestly better than those receiving face-to-face instruction.
As an instructor in F2F class, you can look for clues to see if students are falling behind. With online instruction, given a interesting atmostphere to learn-engaging with your students-a instructor can succeed. Stating all students are immature for online courses is a out of touch instructor.
I learned that the first online class was PLATO in 1960.
I see that the seven online competencies can help students improve the online experience.
"Students can not hide in the online classroom" is so true. Without their friends in a face to face class we as instuctors are able to see each students work, or lack off.
the seven online competencies can help students improve the online experience.
I think it will take a while longer before everyone is on board with giving online learning the respect it deserves. Naturally, it depends on the subject matter and institution backing the online learning, but for the most part, I find it equal to and sometimes harder than F2F classes. In wither situation, building strong relationships of communication, trust & caring between the instructor (who is often seen as the institution) is key to a successful student experience and retention.
The academic issues for which students will encounter may be minor if the instructor have sound basic core values. Commununication is one of the best methhods to keep students engaged and motivated. Honest communication will help to guide the student along. Your class is as strong as the person behind it and you.
I know many instructors of online that just check off what the student has done giving out zeros for all work missed and moving on. There's no or little reaching out to the student to see if they can help. That's why I believe that building that relationship early in the course is so important and having multiple ways of eaching the student and doing so all along the way not just at the end when grading the course.
