The information that I posted in part one was pretty much on point. After reading the recommended readings for the week and the top ten myths about virtul learning I realized that despite being online virtual classes do not lack interaction. Since I am use to face-to-face contact between students and teachers I just automatically assumed that there would be less interaction because classes were taught virtually. This assumption that I have is just the opposite because teachers and students have more one-on-one interaction because of the way in which the course is delivered. It has been reported that teachers get to know their students better and students who are shy or do not respond to questions as quickly as others contribute more to the virtual learning environment. Also, with the help of apps and/or social media such as: Bloggs, Google Hang Out, Skype and Twitter, teachers can connect with their students in group chats and/or bloggs where everyone has an opportunity to connect and/or see each other.
Another myth that before now I thought to be true was the fact that online students are isolated and risk being at a social disadvantage. What I failed to realize or remeber is that students have access to technology such as as Face Time and Skype to see one another while being in opposite cities, states, and countries, which dismisses the myth that students will be at a social disadvantage when learning virtuallly. Also, students in virtually courses participate in variuos group activities that require them to connect with other classmates wheather its via email, hang outs or Face Time.
An addional aspect of virtual learning that I did not consider until reading the assigned readings is that the whole construction of online learning is very complex and every detail must be thought out in its entirely. Although many online course already exist that meet state standards, its important to know who the suppliers are and who will be responsible for student records, assigning grade levels and the administering of state assessments.
I also thought the idea that online learning can actually increase interaction was interesting. I know in a physical classroom, some quiet students tend to fall into the background, and I see how online learning would provide them with more opportunities.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I wasn't at all convinced that online students facing social disadvantage is a myth. Yes, FaceTime, Skype, Google chats etc. can certainly remove some of the social isolation, but think of all the social situations that arise in K-12 schools that students learn to navigate. I think if students are going to learn solely online, we need to provide them with other ways to connect in the physical world with people of their own age. I'm not sure how this would work, but I do think it's important.
Hi Dayna,
DeleteI believe that as time goes on various computer apps will be developed to help students explore the physical world more virtually with people of their own age. Currently, students can use virtual reality apps and affecting computing to connect with others. True these apps will not provide physical contact, but since the world is moving towards a technological based society these apps will help somewhat to bridge the gap between reality and cyberspace.
Kesha, I agree that online technology will make interaction more and more realistic, but I’m thinking specifically about the sorts of social situations that occur only in the large peer groups that you find in physical schools. Issues like how to navigate cliques, how to react to bullies and “mean girls,” how to find your place in a large crowd, and how to work with people you don't like. In an online environment, it's much easier for students to be inoffensive, which is a blessing for awkward and shy students, but also means that students don't develop strong feelings towards one another that they must learn to work around.
DeleteKesha,
ReplyDeleteIt’s true that most online courses force you to interact with other learners but do you really think this interaction is comparable to the face-to-face interaction in traditional classrooms? I personally think that nothing beats face-to-face interactions as most online interactions become very staged and robotic at one point or another. In one of my current online courses, I had a project to work on with three other students. And guess what? We started meeting via google hangout but at one point we realized that we wanted to meet in person to work on our project. I feel like we all missed interacting with other students in person since all our courses so far have been online courses. But if we felt like this way and we are graduate students then how much worse is it going to be for K-12 students? Again, that’s my take on face-to-face interactions vs online interaction.
Hi Sara,
DeleteCurrently at this point in my life I believe that nothing truely compares to face-to-face interaction, but what I'm coming to realize is that the world is moving in the direction where as a great deal of interaction between students and teachers will be done via the internet. If students and teachers are able to meet face to face at least once during the course I think that is great, but not all virtual learning situations are able to do so.
I, too, agree that face-to-face is the best for a learning environment. I also believe that online classes serve their purpose but I cannot imagine that in the future that all learning will be done online. What will happen to social skills that are so deeply needed for human contact?
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ReplyDeleteKesha, I agree online learning makes the interaction between students and teachers stronger. Personally I know that with online classes I ask more and read stuff over and over, because I have more responsibility over my learning. I ready through class notes, readings, emails, blog post over and over because I want to make sure I have the right understating of material.
ReplyDeleteRosio,
DeleteI can relate. When taking online courses I have to read assignments instructions and class information over and over just to undersatnd what it is that the teacher is actually asking for. Its times like those when I wish I was in a face-to-face class. Don't get me wrong I know I can email the teacher with any qestions that I may have, but if it's 11:00 - 12:00 at night its unlikely that the teacher will respond quickly.
Kesha, I agree that when online learning is concern you would assume that these students would have less interaction with teachers and many may believe they would be easier classes. I must admit when I took my first online class I believed these myths but now understand that these classes have just as much interaction and in some cases maybe harder because they require more student responsibility. Because online course offer more flexibility, and a more customizable curriculum to benefit different needs of students, I would have loved to have this option available when I was attending K-12. In my district we use online learning in a variety of ways from blended learning combined with traditional techniques to 100% online courses used for credit recovery. We also have online learning available to students from kindergarten to students in our adult education programs. Although just as the data shows in the reading, we tend to have more online learning programs in the higher grades (Watson, Gemin, Paps, Vashaw, pg. 31).
ReplyDeleteHi,
DeleteWhen I took my first online class I thought it would be easy also, but I soon found out how easy it was to get loss in class and not undersatnd what is going on. It has been my experience that teachers who solely teach online are more involved and require a great deal of interaction between students and the teacher. I find this to be helpful because I am able to form a slight bound with other students and the teacher, which has resulted in a better outcome for me, grade wise that is.
I've had the same experience. It really take hard-work and diligence to be successful in online learning. For students just starting out in online learning... this is definitely a misunderstanding.
DeleteKesha,
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this- I appreciate your thoughtfulness at the end of your post in particular when you stated that it is important to plan out every detail when creating an online class. This is a new environment for all of us, and can be daunting considering that our students are growing up in a generation where this is commonplace, ie: "digital natives" where we may not be. Since we are already familiar with how "school" should look, there are things that we do not need to focus on in an in-person classroom that we have to think out much more explicitly in the online setting. Not only do our students have to learn about a topic, but they also have to first learn how to learn online in order to be successful.