 |
| 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.
It's funny, I'm taking a Sociology class right now online, and it went beautifully. I guess it really depends on the teacher and how the material is presented.
ReplyDeleteI learned about blogging a lot in this class also! I see where you would struggle communicating with the teacher because we are online. I hope you had a good time in this class using the technology and I wish you the best throughout the rest of your schooling.
ReplyDeleteI had a lot of the same feelings about this online course. Although I received some good feedback on my writing from the students in our class, a lot of it was very vague. It was also very hard to get a hold of the instructor with conflicting schedules of her office hours, and did not always get the questions I would ask via E-mail. Also, I prefer in class courses where the teachers really get to know your learning style and have more time to have discussions with you in how to improve your work, and what you are doing well. But, I did learn a lot of new technology in this course and different ways of learning. Good luck next semester.
ReplyDelete