Hello,
I think there are varied interactive forms of learning online. The horizon report said that more than 80 of them are already in use and 75 more are being studied about. Students today wants to be faster and wants their learning easy and rewarding. Knowledge is increasing in this age and everyone is trying to keep themselves informed. Knowledge is power.
It is difficult to understand social presence and building communities on line because we are so used to traditional and face to face learning. The more you spend time online communicating with your group and get to know them more the feeling of belonging and togetherness develops automatically. It also reduces the feeling of isolation when communication occurs frequently.
All the negative feelings I had about online learning is almost gone. I find it easier now to interact with everyone. I do not think that it is very easy either. You have to work hard to get your reading and assignments done in a timely manner. It is also challenging to keep up with the different technologies, chat, PBWiki and blogging.
Another thing I notice in online learning is that the instructor is not really teaching but only acts as a guide or facilitator. This method promotes critical thinking. The truth is that I still need to hear a comment or encouragement from my professor, otherwise I feel abandoned. Is that the way everyone feel? Hybrid courses may be a good idea for transitional students like me for a period of time. It also make me think how I am doing in this battle with the new technologies I am learning. I now realize I am learning the course content using technology than learning the technology itself.
I still wonder how as a nursing educator I can use the new technology for a group of technologically advanced students. Practice it more yah!!
Mercy.
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3 comments:
I always assumed the instuctor was reading and would comment as needed. I just thought because we are graduate students and adult learners, the professor was providing needed direction and not spoon feeding us but maybe I misunderstood. I assumed if this was an undergraduate course, the instructor would be different.
Nelly,
I agree with what Marcella says. Graduate school is different than undergraduate. Definitely more independence, discipline and self-motivation.
Sharon
Mercy
The face to face interaction has been a large challenge for me. I miss seeing people and reading their facial expressions. However, I like the flexibility of working from home. Grad school should be called "self-motivated" school.
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