Palloff and Pratt (2007) comment that students who use technology in their personal lives may not be equipped to use it academically. While teaching computers at the high school freshman level parents would often comment they expected their student to do well in the class because that student spends quite a bit of time on computers. More often I find that student is equipped to use the computer for personal use but in a structured academic environment not nearly as successful. Students have the technological skills to use and learn these tools but many are not able to transfer those skills to an academic purpose. Students need guidance to learn to use those tools in a way that will benefit them academically and in their future career.
Online learning is more accepted than it was even five years ago. The technology tools have been advancing at an exponential rate. I think the real key for an online institution and/or online instructor is to look at any new technology and think about how that can be used in their classroom. Actually this is quite the same thing teachers have been doing since the beginning of organized education. It is about experimentation and trial and error and in the greatest educational tradition, watching what others are doing and copy it if it works.
Palloff, R.M. & Pratt, K. (2007) Building online learning communities: Effective strategies for the virtual classroom. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteAt first I was surprised to hear that students that used the computer at home for personal use, were not successful academically. I have always used my computer for personal and work purposes. When I started this class, I thought it would be easier than it was. I believe that it is difficult academically because there is different technological tools used. I personally, were not aware of some of the tools available. I think it is important for instructors to introduce these tools and guide students to use the tools. I agree with your last line, "It is aobut experimentation, trial and error, and watching what others are doing and copying it if it works." You had a very interesting post!
Tracy
It must be nice to have that kind of resource. Students taking computers home. However, computer on a loan will work. I agree that students need guidance to learn how use tools such as wiki and blog. I believe as educators, we are so busy keeping up with the Jones. We have forgotten about the fundamental of learning and tranfering the knowledge to develop an understanding.
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