Final Presentation

Technology

Image Source: http://www.abc.net.au/technology/articles/2011/03/01/3151906.htm

Before this course, I held a strong preference towards in person learning. I had a dreadful experience with online learning in a sociology course many years ago. I was hesitant, to say the least, to try another one. However, having enjoyed a pleasant experience with this course, I am now reassured in the potential of online learning. Online learning is different than in person learning because it emphasizes visual learning abilities. While this emphasis still exists, technology has ushered in a new set of tools which allow previous obstacles to be overcome. Online multimedia technologies such as Skype, Prezi, and Glogs have enhanced visual and auditory learning, allowing a new degree of effectiveness. Ultimately, the kinesthetic aspect of learning in online courses is still lacking. I happen to have a strong inclination towards kinesthetic learning; hence, I still tend to gravitate towards in-person learning. It also depends on the type of course. For example, I took a hybrid, part online/ part classroom, anatomy and physiology course.  While English 102 was manageable, I would never opt to take another difficult lab science primarily online.

I must admit that I was too stubborn to purchase a web-cam for this course. As a result, new experience with technology has been somewhat limited. I benefited most from learning how to use and maintain a blog via web technology. Blogging is a great way to keep a record of writing accomplishments. It is also an easy and effective means to receive feedback. Fortunately, for the time being, it costs nothing. Although my career with not require much writing, the use of a blog may be applicable somewhere down the road. Above all, I enjoyed learning how to obtain information from online databases and apply it in writing. Words cannot describe how frustrated I have become over the years, sorting through all of the rubbish from standard search engines. In general, the sources from online databases are more reliable and educational. I will  continue using online databases in the future; however, I do not believe much of the other technology will pertain to my career. Later this week, I will attempt to create a Glog for my final presentation.To learn more about Glogs, click here.

There are a couple major advantages for taking an English course online. Students may balance completion of assignments and other responsibilities of life with greater flexibility and ease. Also, I received substantially more quality feedback from peers in this course than in my classroom based English 101 course. The only major challenge I struggled with was communication with the instructor. I could not use Skype without a webcam and my classes happened to conflict with office hours. Emailing back and forth is not a good substitute for face-to-face interaction. I managed to receive plenty of feedback and the problem was not difficult to overcome.