As a guy who went to a Big Ten school for undergrad, I'm adjusting to my newfound ACC rivalries and this article written by Mark Edmundson in the NY Times is helping those along with statements like this one:
"Online education is a one-size-fits-all endeavor. It tends to be a monologue and not a real dialogue. The Internet teacher, even one who responds to students via e-mail, can never have the immediacy of contact that the teacher on the scene can, with his sensitivity to unspoken moods and enthusiasms."
These sentences to me raised a huge red flag. Has this guy ever had any contact with an online class at all? I sure hope he hasn't lead one! I believe that online classes are infinitely more scalable than F2F classes in theory and practice with all the web 2.0 technologies.
Also, when he talks about "immediacy," I always found F2F university classes challenging in that regard. If your class meets on Tuesday/ Thursday and you have a question on Friday, you cannot see the instructor again until Tuesday. That's not very immediate. "Oh, but you can email," you say? Isn't that just an online class? Throw in synchronous communication (webex, etc.) and you have an online class with all the benefits of an F2F class.
There are so many counterpoints to F2F only arguements: distance, time, a technology-based culture, energy, money, etc. that I will not go into detail here. My point is just that his point is misguided and his university is equally misguided and unconfident even in that. He points to his university firing and reinstating their president over her not keeping up with the demand for "Internet learning." UVA is a fine university and I'm sure Mr. Edmundson is a fine professor, but they had better keep up with their "Internet learning" while they still are.
Hey Bryan,
ReplyDeleteI had read that same article and tweeted it with a small comment. I had the same reaction as you. I must admitt that I was really worried about taking online classes. But I have had great experiences in both classes that I'm in. I've learned a lot in both classes and I'm looking forward to taking more. You made great point in your posts about using a Webex session and F2F classes only being 2 days a weeks. That's not to mention that many college courses are so big that you don't have personal relationships with the professors anyway. At this point, online education has spread all the way to kindergarten. As an elementary teacher, I do question how that would work, but I would be open to finding out. The professor who wrote the article does not seem to have an open mind.
Exactly! At least if you're going to be in education, be OPEN to e-learning. :)
DeleteIts funny you mention UVA. I just applied to their PhD program for Instructional Technology. I am hoping to get in because they have expressed their desire to bolster their online presence.
ReplyDeleteThe firing of the president had a whole lot more to do than not keeping up with Internet Learning. I live in Charlottesville, VA and most of the talk in town about this incident has to go with a vast sea of politics and the ultra right wing trying to take over the university.
Anyway, in regards to the article you referenced in your post, I agree with you and some. I have taken over 35 online courses at FSU and community college. I don't think I missed out at all. I have also taken face to face college courses, and I do enjoy them as well. However, with job, familiy, and a lack of time, online is a great option.
My guess is: the guy who wrote the article probably has very little experience in taking online classes.
Thanks for the further information. I clearly did not do any research on the firing, but I wanted to comment on the article. Like I wrote above, if you are in education, at least be open to e-learning.
DeleteGood luck with UVA! I hope you get in. If your work here from what I've read is any indication, you'll have no problem. :)
Everyone has an opinion. Some are well informed and represent a breadth of experience and evidence. Others are not. I'll leave my commentary at that. I think you all know where I would stand on the issue :)
ReplyDelete