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and ten tons of clothes on!
A blog for reveiwing Best Practices in Online Discussion Groups and Corresponding Theories BY M. Wert
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Me and Snow dogs
and ten tons of clothes on!
This is my first experience blogging. I have much to learn. Yes, sharing our experiences, observations, and challenges in this manner will be beneficial.
ReplyDeleteDA
It should be fun! It might be hard over the Holidays to keep up though!
ReplyDeleteMarcia
• After reading the three articles by Moller, Huett, Foshay and Coleman, and listening to the Simonson video programs, compare and contrast the reasons these authors believe there is a need to evolve distance education to the next generation. Do you agree with their positions? Why or why not?
ReplyDeleteAll authors emphasize the pertinence of “outlining the goals, delivery, and
structure of the e-learning program with clear benchmarks for success” and that one single method is the complete road to wisdom. (Moller, Foshay, & Huett , 2008) Simonson tended to refer to the power of the communications network to build the equivalency theory in his video (Simonson, 2003) , whereas Jason Huett, Leslie Moller, Wellesley R Foshay, and Craig Coleman (2008) state that equivalency is based not on the medium but on who is teaching and who is learning. (Huett, Moller, Foshay & Coleman, 2008)
All authors are stressing that distance learning has and will increase. Simonson do to the willful attainment of higher learning with easy access and Huett et al. (2008) pertains to the No Child Left Behind Act for K-12 students and teacher shortages. All authors mention accessing instructional technologies but Simonson refers to media rich technology as the medium. Leslie Moller, Wellesley R Foshay, and Jason Huett (2008) referred to the scalability to reach more students in that once a course is developed in can be used over and over again; therefore increasing the profitability of the organization. The return on investment or ROI is king. The higher standards of education of quality are overlooked but let’s be truthful. How long can an organization or institution exist if they do not make a profit?
Of course, Moller et al.(2008) and Simonson are both concerned with the learning outcomes, it is just that Simonson states that distance learning is not the same procedures as Face-to-face but rather should produce the same results. Huett et al. (2008) even proclaim that most research in not on equivalency research in K-12 levels; but hinges on the student achievements and learning outcomes to meet federal requirements. Learning outcomes are judged by how many hours online and not quality according to Moller, Foshay, and Huett (2008). Several of the articles by Moller (2008) suggested that the instructor should take an active role in the student’s learning process and should step in to improve the student’s learning outcome whereas Simonson’s method is less interactive and is described as using e-mail and discussion groups.
There is always a need for interaction on the instructor’s part and sometimes hand holding is required, even an occasional phone call aids the student to implement a more aggressive stance to foster additional support. The difference between K-12 and higher education online learning might hinge on the development of metacognition skills so therefore the delivery procedures should also differ.
Second Part-
ReplyDeleteAll authors denote that without feedback to the distance learning experience there is no improve. It is interesting that Huett et al. (2008) mentioned parental involvement also in the feedback process. This collaborative approach must also be used in designing new distance learning courses, of which all agree on. Material must be segmented into modules. There is no improvement without feedback, Huett et al. (2008) accentuate a more supportive collaborative effort in the design of courses and suggest that each location might be tweaked to improve learning outcomes, whereas Simonson does not mention this. Simonson is taking the mode of designing as one course fits the needs of all or segmenting the material into modules for all concerned. No variation exists per location. Leslie Moller, Wellesley R Foshay, and Jason Huett (2008) state that the quality of the instructor should be used in crafting courses for distance learning also (2008) and the instructor should be held accountable for fully implementing the design of the course’s itinerary. This approach might not lead to positive results since not all instructors are technology savvy; but it would tend to reflect the facilitator’s own personal style of instruction. This is also profound inhibitor on the instructor’s time to be designer and facilitator, which might breed isolation due to increased workload pressures and nervous breakdowns. Design and teaching are two separate fields and usually a combination of both does not exist in most university settings.
Marcia
Huett, J., Moller, L., Foshay, W. & Coleman, C. (2008, September/October). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the Web (Part 3: K12). TechTrends, 52(5), 63–67
Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008, July/August). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the Web (Part 2: Higher Education). TechTrends, 52(4), 66–70.
Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008, May/June). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the Web (Part 1: Training and Development). TechTrends, 52(3), 70–75.
Simonson, M. (2000). Making decisions: The use of electronic technology in online classes. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 84, 29–34.
Here are the links for the articles:
ReplyDeletehttp://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/pdf?vid=3&hid=107&sid=a4b11308-18c9-4b4d-b1b0-d83892259115%40sessionmgr113
http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/pdf?vid=3&hid=107&sid=a4b11308-18c9-4b4d-b1b0-d83892259115%40sessionmgr113
http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/pdf?vid=4&hid=107&sid=a4b11308-18c9-4b4d-b1b0-d83892259115%40sessionmgr113
I re-posted the links for the articles but they ae still not showing up as links?
ReplyDeleteMarcia
It is interesting to wonder what the future of online learning will be. I have a son that is three and a daughter that is six-months-old and I wonder if they will be able to take high school courses online and use their time to research a little more than face to face instruction allows. I know I have done a lot more research with online courses than I ever did in a face to face setting.
ReplyDeleteBurian,
ReplyDeleteActually, that is not impossible. Even homeschooling is on the uprise!
Marcia