Online learning has its most promising potential in the high synergy represented by active dialog among the participants, one of the most important sources of learning in a Virtual Classroom. However, in larger classes 20 or more students , the synergy level starts to shift on the learning continuum until it eventually becomes independent study to accommodate the large class. At this point, dialog is limited as well as interaction among participants and the facilitator.
The medium is not being used to its greatest potential. Even with recently generated excitement and enthusiasm for online programs, it is important to recognize that some subjects should not be taught online because the electronic medium does not permit the best method on instruction. Examples include: hands-on subjects such as public speaking, surgery, dental hygiene, and sports where physical movement and practice contribute to the achievement of the learning objectives.
These subjects are probably best taught in a face-to-face traditional learning environment. Hybrid courses may represent a temporary solution to this problem, thus making that portion of the course more accessible to a greater number of people who would otherwise have difficulty getting to campus. However, solutions of that sort still underline the fact that online teaching cannot satisfy all educational needs and goals.
Just because it may be technologically possible to simulate a physical learning experience, this does not necessarily mean that it is the best way to teach it. The curriculum of any online program must be carefully considered and developed in order to be successful.
Curriculum and teaching methodology that are successful in on-ground instruction will not always translate to a successful online program where learning and instructional paradigms are quite different.
Online curriculum must reflect the use of dialog among students in the form of written communication and group interaction and participation. Traditional classroom lectures have no place in a successful online program. Education of the highest quality can and will occur in an online program provided that the curriculum has been developed or converted to meet the needs of the online medium.
Today is a very exciting time for technology and education. Online programs offer technology-based instructional environments that expand learning opportunities and can provide top quality education through a variety of formats and modalities. With the special needs of adult learners who need or want to continue their education, online programs offer a convenient solution to conflicts with work, family, and study schedules.
Institutions of higher education have found that online programs are essential in providing access to education for the populations they wish to serve. In order for an online program to be successful, the curriculum, the facilitator, the technology, and the students must be carefully considered and balanced in order to take full advantage of the strengths of this format and at the same time avoid pitfalls that could result from its weaknesses.
Skip to main content. Academics Study at UIS. Getting Started. Get Involved. Arts at UIS. Alumni Resources. Visit UIS. Search Search. Strengths Weaknesses Strengths of Online Learning There are many reasons why online programs have become a popular form of distance learning in higher education today. Here is a list of some of the major benefits of online programs: Anywhere… The main advantage of asynchronous online learning is that it allows students to participate in high quality learning situations when distance and schedule make on-ground learning difficult-to-impossible.
Synergy The online format allows a dynamic interaction between the instructor and students and among the students themselves.
High Quality Dialog Within an online asynchronous discussion structure, the learner may reflect on comments from others before responding or moving on to the next item. Student Centered Within an online discussion, the individual student responds to the course material lectures and course books, for example and to comments from other students.
Level Playing Field In the online environment, learners have a certain measure of anonymity. Access to Resources It is easy to include distinguished guest experts or students from other institutions in an online class. Creative Teaching The literature of adult education supports the use of interactive learning environments as contributing to self-direction and critical thinking. Weaknesses of Online Learning While online programs have significant strengths and offer unprecedented accessibility to quality education, there are weaknesses inherent in the use of this medium that can pose potential threats to the success of any online program.
These problems fall into six main categories: 1. Technology Equity and Accessibility to Technology Before any online program can hope to succeed, it must have students who are able to access the online learning environment.
Computer Literacy Both students and facilitators must possess a minimum level of computer knowledge in order to function successfully in an online environment. For example, Lark, a Singapore-based collaboration suite initially developed by ByteDance as an internal tool to meet its own exponential growth, began offering teachers and students unlimited video conferencing time, auto-translation capabilities, real-time co-editing of project work, and smart calendar scheduling, amongst other features.
To do so quickly and in a time of crisis, Lark ramped up its global server infrastructure and engineering capabilities to ensure reliable connectivity. Media organizations such as the BBC are also powering virtual learning; Bitesize Daily , launched on 20 April, is offering 14 weeks of curriculum-based learning for kids across the UK with celebrities like Manchester City footballer Sergio Aguero teaching some of the content. While some believe that the unplanned and rapid move to online learning — with no training, insufficient bandwidth, and little preparation — will result in a poor user experience that is unconducive to sustained growth, others believe that a new hybrid model of education will emerge, with significant benefits.
There have already been successful transitions amongst many universities. The Imperial College London started offering a course on the science of coronavirus, which is now the most enrolled class launched in on Coursera. It enables me to reach out to my students more efficiently and effectively through chat groups, video meetings, voting and also document sharing, especially during this pandemic.
My students also find it is easier to communicate on Lark. I will stick to Lark even after coronavirus, I believe traditional offline learning and e-learning can go hand by hand.
There are, however, challenges to overcome. While some schools and governments have been providing digital equipment to students in need, such as in New South Wales , Australia, many are still concerned that the pandemic will widenthe digital divide.
For those who do have access to the right technology, there is evidence that learning online can be more effective in a number of ways. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of online learning varies amongst age groups. The general consensus on children, especially younger ones, is that a structured environment is required , because kids are more easily distracted. Since studies have shown that children extensively use their senses to learn, making learning fun and effective through use of technology is crucial, according to BYJU's Mrinal Mohit.
It is clear that this pandemic has utterly disrupted an education system that many assert was already losing its relevance. In his book, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century , scholar Yuval Noah Harari outlines how schools continue to focus on traditional academic skills and rote learning , rather than on skills such as critical thinking and adaptability, which will be more important for success in the future.
Could the move to online learning be the catalyst to create a new, more effective method of educating students? Major world events are often an inflection point for rapid innovation — a clear example is the rise of e-commerce post-SARS.
Taking an online learning program, you'll be an officially registered student at your institution and have access to the same resources as an on-campus student, like your institution's digital library, learning management system like Blackboard , student union membership and more!
An online degree is similar to taking a degree program on campus, but you have the freedom to direct your own study schedule. Your school and your course instructor will determine the format for each individual course and will select delivery methods that are best suited to your course or program. What a Biology major needs to learn successfully online will differ from what an Art History major needs! Online learning may be a completely new experience for you.
If you're coming from a more traditional learning background, read on to discover how to make the most of the resources you may encounter in your online learning journey! These written materials are essential resources in almost every course you'll take when learning online. Using the reading list for each course, or on the advice of your course instructor, you'll need to dedicate the amount of time you need to reading and understanding the topics in the literature.
The main advantage of using this medium particularly eBooks is the fact that they are completely portable, allowing you to study on the go from your computer, phone or tablet. You may have to pay extra for your textbooks, or they may be available as eBooks from your institution's library. An essential way of absorbing a large amount of information in a relatively short amount of time, lectures are a staple of online and campus-based learning. With online learning, you can attend lectures from your bedroom!
If you can, make notes throughout your lectures; this will make it easier to review for exams, and any assignments you'll need to complete throughout your course. The greatest challenge an online education provider faces is how to replicate the face-to-face interaction and in-person discussions that on-campus institutions can easily provide.
The solution? Online degree programs often use a combination of discussion forums and interactive question-and-answer sessions to give you the interaction with other students and instructors you need. Before beginning an online discussion forum or interactive session, make sure you read the rules and requirements; some institutions may require you to create posts that have a minimum word count. Online students often think that their learning resources will be delivered via email, or even by snail mail!
M ost online institutions are moving away from this unreliable method of delivery. The learning platform will vary depending on the software used, but it will usually consist of a central online platform that students can access from their personal PC, mobile or tablet. One of the major benefits of utilizing resources that are hosted entirely online is unending flexibility! As an online student, you can choose to access your course information and complete your assignments at any time.
This allows you to fit study time in around your work, family and other commitments. This also means that students who wish to continue working while studying do not have to put their careers on hold. Get the best of both worlds! Students taking a degree program or an individual course online will still be tested at regular intervals throughout their study period to assess their understanding of the course materials.
For those new to online education, this process can be intimidating. But there's no need to worry! Online institutions are experienced professionals, they'll ensure that your assessments are fair, comfortable, and designed to help you make the most of your learning experience.
Discover the assessment types you're likely to encounter when taking an online degree program or course:. These are probably the method of assessment that students will have the most experience with. You'll be required to produce a structured, reasoned argument within the boundaries set out by your course instructor.
Face-to-face discussions between friends and colleagues is something that we all do every day. However, an online academic discussion requires a different set of skills, and might not come as naturally when your first start your online learning journey.
Not to worry, you'll get the hang of it! These activities will differ depending on the institution, but your course instructor will generally start each discussion off with a question or topic for debate.
Students then need to research the topic and post their responses to the task demonstrating their own knowledge and understanding. Often, you'll end up in a debate with the ideas and views posted by fellow students. Like discussion boards, journal activities tend to be specific to online courses. A journal entry is an ongoing update giving you the opportunity to reflect back on what you've learned during the period under review, and how you'll apply what you've learned in the future.
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