On the orientation day for my online class, I always start out by saying the same thing: online isn't for everybody... but maybe it should be.For students to thrive in an online classroom, they need to monitor themselves to meet weekly and long-term deadlines. Obviously, the format of the class affects the structure greatly, but it can breed independence without losing the teachers' guidance. It also forces students to be active in their education rather than passive. You can't hide in the back row of an online class because discussion participation is mandatory.
Is this something we should consider more seriously for middle and high school students?
Online classes require students to take ownership of their work, be self-directed learners, practice time management and learn computer literacy along with their subject matter. All of these skills will prepare students for the life that awaits them after school: where bosses, unlike teachers, rarely hold your hand through your work, accept missed or late deadlines or give constant reminders, "extra credit" and second, third and fourth chances.
I've seen real results with every student who truly engaged in my class. They all significantly improved their writing ability. I think a lot of that had to do with practicing reading and writing ALL the time through the online format. Also, with new technology, it's easy to integrate video, audio and other aids for different kinds of learners.
Joanne Jacobs referenced an example of this back in December that really captures the beauty of the online experience:
". . . (At first) I was always confused, had trouble following directions, could not focus on the task at hand, and expected to be hand-fed all the information."
She learned how to manage her time and pace herself.
"Teaching myself was shockingly effective. I was finally being taught by someone who fully understood me." Full article
Maybe this isn't the case outside the English/writing realm. Maybe it's asking too much of students too soon. Maybe it puts an undue burden on parents. Or maybe it's a step in the right direction.
What do you think? Should schools offer more online classes for 6-12 students? Take the poll or offer your opinion in the comments section.
4 comments:
I agree with the idea, as long as there are some face-to-face social interactions. If I were to structure an online class, I would use a hybrid model with steps:
First Phase: Tech-integrated traditional classroom setting. Here they would use many of the Web 2.0 tools in problem-based learning
Second Phase: Hybrid Model. Students would attend class twice a week and do the rest online. The twice a week class would run like a seminar class with heavy emphasis on discussion. A class of forty students could easily fit into two twenty-student blocks every other day with a fifth day for more intensive small group tutoring.
Phase Three: Offer the options of taking hybrid and/or online classes.
Meet in the middle... I like it.
Interesting article on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of online learning:
Quote:
“One of the areas in which online learning can be extremely cost-effective is in filling in courses where the opportunity would otherwise not exist for a student,” said Cheryl Vedoe, the president and chief executive officer of Apex Learning, a Seattle-based for-profit provider of online courses.
Instead of hiring a full-time teacher for just a handful of students, which is unlikely in today’s budget climate, it’s more financially feasible, Ms. Vedoe said, for districts to contract out those courses to online providers. Such companies, she said, can provide that service at a lower cost because they are serving larger populations.
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/03/18/25online.h28.html?tkn=YOOFLPfC6UkuBKm%2BDgQbky01klXarcTYnzYt
I think the idea of outsourcing / techsourcing is horrible. An online teacher should be a live person who can handle the chaotic, stressful and organic system of human interaction. Giving a contract to a for-profit company is precisely what is draining the educational system of both talent and money.
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