I can't say that I found much in the article that surprised me, based on the other readings that were done as part of the class. Most of the article was confirmation of what was already presented in prior readings. I found the evidence suggesting that online classes were equally effective to traditional classes helpful in supporting our church's decision to offer online classes. The following were the benefits listed in the article that we would be able to capitalize on immediately; availability, cost and outreach. For small institutions such as ours, they are essential to the success of any education effort that we pursue. The article confirmed our decision to use on-line training for our ministry.
What I found most interesting and helpful was that blended classes were most effective in learning. The interaction with a teacher, which would give the student the opportunity for clarification of difficult subject matter, is the apparent reason that blended courses were more effective.
The article also points out that online quizzes were more effective in the learning process. I am not sure that offering online quizzes to enhance the learning process, but rather facilitates the requirement of testing whether or not the content was learned.
In addition, the observance that K-12 was not found to be as effective is not surprising. The benefits listed for online courses were availability, cost and outreach; not areas that the average K-12 student would be interested in.
As I stated in another review of online classes, I believe the subject matter is a key component in determining whether or not a particular online courses is successful. Courses teaching motor skills, for example, would be less effective as online. Examples include chemistry, music or any specific skills, such as carpentry or plumbing. That does not mean that online courses could not be utilized for specific areas within those disciplines.
What this article does bring out is that as educators we can often get in the way of the learning process. We can wax eloquent on subject matter we are most comfortable with, or in an attempt to show the student how much we know, we often hinder the learning process. Unfortunately, I have experienced this problem, particularly in seminary classes. Bible classes tend to lend themselves very nicely to application and what I often find is that the teacher will lecture for the entire class when application of truth reinforce the material.
Finally, regardless of the subject matter or media used, whether online or traditional, the design and implementation of the course is the most important aspect of teaching. If an online class is poorly designed and the corresponding traditional class is well designed, then the traditional class will be more effective.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Journal of Online Learning and Teaching Review
I would have posted this review last week, but was unable to post to my blog.
Like other reviews of the article that I have read, I too was initially surprised at the effectiveness of online learning versus traditional classroom experience. I believe the advances in online technologies and the increased awareness of online techniques has enhanced the online experience considerably over the last few years. Because more people are attracted to the flexibility that online education provides, there has been a greater effort in making and measuring the experience.
The article lists three advantages to online learning;
- greater flexibility
- availability of resources
- ''just in time" learning.
Greater Flexibility
There can be no denying that people are interested in the tremendous flexibility that online course provide. This is especially true for those pursuing post graduate degrees. The cost and inconvenience of relocating, looking for another job and unsettling families can be staggering. Online classes over the best of both worlds; quality education and it eliminates the need to relocate.
Availability of Resources
I was surprised, with the widespread us of the internet for research and information gathering, that this would be listed as benefit of online classes. Even in traditional classes, resources are readily available. I would also be concerned that faculty is not as available as they would be in traditional classrooms.
"Just in time"
I am not exactly what the article was referring to with 'just in time', but if they mean that courses can be selected and taken at any time, then I agree, to a point, with this advantage. The only issue I have is that there may be a sequence that is not always a obvious when looking through a course listing. This is a relatively easy problem to solve.
Finally, I have enjoyed online experience that I have had in the past. I don't think online training works for every discipline, but for those that apply, it is a great advancement in eduction.
Like other reviews of the article that I have read, I too was initially surprised at the effectiveness of online learning versus traditional classroom experience. I believe the advances in online technologies and the increased awareness of online techniques has enhanced the online experience considerably over the last few years. Because more people are attracted to the flexibility that online education provides, there has been a greater effort in making and measuring the experience.
The article lists three advantages to online learning;
- greater flexibility
- availability of resources
- ''just in time" learning.
Greater Flexibility
There can be no denying that people are interested in the tremendous flexibility that online course provide. This is especially true for those pursuing post graduate degrees. The cost and inconvenience of relocating, looking for another job and unsettling families can be staggering. Online classes over the best of both worlds; quality education and it eliminates the need to relocate.
Availability of Resources
I was surprised, with the widespread us of the internet for research and information gathering, that this would be listed as benefit of online classes. Even in traditional classes, resources are readily available. I would also be concerned that faculty is not as available as they would be in traditional classrooms.
"Just in time"
I am not exactly what the article was referring to with 'just in time', but if they mean that courses can be selected and taken at any time, then I agree, to a point, with this advantage. The only issue I have is that there may be a sequence that is not always a obvious when looking through a course listing. This is a relatively easy problem to solve.
Finally, I have enjoyed online experience that I have had in the past. I don't think online training works for every discipline, but for those that apply, it is a great advancement in eduction.
NETSMARTZ Review
This is the first time I have see this site and I think it's a great site. I was especially interested in the percentage of teens that have cell phone, are on social networking sites and who play online games. The tip sheets are extremely useful and I will include them in my technology class, especially the 6th grade class which are just starting building their own websites. We are encouraging them to use the internet for pictures, research and other content. This site will be a huge help in establishing guidelines for our students.
I also found the video tutorials to be very helpful in getting a glimpse of what other teens think about different issues. The one that dealt with how fast information travels was particularly interesting.
The site brought the key to controlling teens exposure to the evils of internet exposure...involvement. I find it more and more difficult to find parents who take an active role in their teens lives. The teenage years are often looked as years where they become increasingly hard to understand, they are involved in activities that many parents find intimidating, none more so than technology. Parents distance themselves because they believe they are too far behind the curve to understand and help their teenager. I am going to begin to use this site to help parents bridge that gap. Great site.
I also found the video tutorials to be very helpful in getting a glimpse of what other teens think about different issues. The one that dealt with how fast information travels was particularly interesting.
The site brought the key to controlling teens exposure to the evils of internet exposure...involvement. I find it more and more difficult to find parents who take an active role in their teens lives. The teenage years are often looked as years where they become increasingly hard to understand, they are involved in activities that many parents find intimidating, none more so than technology. Parents distance themselves because they believe they are too far behind the curve to understand and help their teenager. I am going to begin to use this site to help parents bridge that gap. Great site.
Monday, February 7, 2011
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