I am a little behind in my reading. I was recently catching up on my Educational Leadership magazines. One article that I came across was in the April 2010 issue. "For Openers How Technology Is Changing School." I could not find a copy to link, sorry. The article is about the effect technology has on school and how it is changing the way we learn.
The focus is about continuity of learning and how some schools are now providing blended learning options. Online lectures, posting course content and homework online, phone conferences, digital textbooks, blogs, etc. etc. "The wealth of information available online is also changing teaching practices."
Students and teachers alike are changing the way they can access information and resources. Technology allows both students and teachers to collaborate in a way that was not possible before.
From my experience, taking online courses has been amazing. There is no other way I would have been able to take courses towards my MEd had there not been an online option. I work full time, have a young son, family, there would be no time.
The flexibility I have with online courses allows me to be able to watch my lectures while I make supper, work on my discussions while my son is napping, and do my readings in the back yard while my son is playing. There is no commute to and from a university, it is great. The people I have met in my classes are amazing. We have rich discussions, even more so than if we were in a classroom. I think most people contribute more online then they would in a class environment.
Now, I will say, the one challenge to online learning is that you have to be very disciplined. I don't have a set schedule so I have to work whenever I have extra time. I think some people think online learning is easier....so not the case. It may be easier to fit into my schedule, but that is it. I really have to plan my time wisely, keep up on readings, and discussions. I also had to learn how to use Blackboard, Elluminate, and of course, blogging :) For me, this has been one of the most positive learning environments I have been part of. 
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You're face should be on a poster for flexible learning! You are exactly the kind of person for whom flexible courses work -- not because the classes are so great (although I hope they are), but because YOU are. You are motivated to learn, positive about your profession, interested in what other people have to say, and energetic about building relationships. IMHO this is what turns a normal experience into an exceptional one. So take a bow -- you (and the others in our group) are what animates our learning community!
ReplyDeleteThanks!! I will gladly put my face on a poster :)
ReplyDeleteI truly feel that technology plays a very important role in the future of education (not to say that it doesn't already, just an increase). I think more often students and teachers are going to do on-line learning in some format.
I know for me, it has been an amazing experience. I also know that it takes a great deal of work and discipline to be part of a flexible/on-line learning environment.
Oh, and yes, the classes and the people involved are great!!