One of the challenges of online learning is to create a learning environment that is highly interactive. Online learning is not limited to sharing information like web-courses with schedules, course contents, and power point presentation slides, but can actually be used to develop skills through the same interactive processes used in face-to-face class room learning.
To achieve high level of interaction in online learning, the teacher cannot be held solely responsible for the learning process. Instructional designers and technological tool developers must also work on understanding learners’ needs and how they can effectively utilize information technology to meet those needs. With these changes, the role of online learners has also changed drastically. Learners have to be self motivated and take responsibility for their own learning.
The instructors can use a combination of tools that not only rely on simple interaction strategies (interaction between learners, teachers and content), but also employ enriched interaction strategies, based on cases studies, extended readings, concept mapping of subject topic, feedback on assignments, online group discussions and communities of practice etc. They require tools that can help them have better class management for example better distribution of learning material, announcements, easy to use file exchange programs etc. To enhance learning, they can use Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy, simple self-assessment tools, and exercises to develop higher analytical skills. In order to motivate students, instructors can ask them to document their reflections on the topics being discussed and share their personal stories (also known as the critical incident approach).
Building an environment based on sharing and collaborating, online learning can not only be used as a tool to provide information but also help with developing more generalizable skills like communication skills, team building, self learning and problem solving.
Issues such as the paradigm shift, from a learning system controlled by an instructor, to a more learner-centered model, are difficult to address. Learners have no choice but to rely on the expert, the teacher. Since the power remains with the teacher, how does that change anything, even in the learner-centered model?
Hi Samar,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your thoughts. Creating a learning environment online is challenging and the instructor can not be held solely responsible. As a student, its up to them to participate to make that an active process and enricheing experiece.
Good morning, Samar! Nice post - I'd especially like to consider your last comment in more detail, since I struggle with the shift from instructor-centered to learner-centered education.
ReplyDeleteYou said: "Since the power remains with the teacher, how does that change anything, even in the learner-centered model?"
1) I think it depends on how much 'control' the instructor gives up. Too much, and there is no learning, only chaos.
Too little, and we return to a situation where the students who are good at lerning via the INSTRUCTOR talking will learn, and the rest will not. More importantly, they will self-select to remove themselves from the training process, since they "don't learn anything anyway."
But as one of my blog poster's put it, (and it appears she is a Ph.D. out in Wisconsin, a Dean in the state school system), "When the instructor stands back a bit, she/he will find that students do much to answer questions and to teach each other content."
But I am curious what YOU think based on your last comment? Do you struggle with 'standing back' when you are the instructor? I have...
I agree that maintaining the right balance of control in a learning environment is key to the learning process, however, in my limited experience in the corporate environment, I have had to struggle with delegating power when learners only want a set of instructions to execute orders without making any mistakes. I felt that my struggle to empower learners has not been with denying learners the control of their own learning, but with making them feel comfortable with the interactive learning process.
ReplyDelete