How is Online Learning Different?
Is online learning different than classroom learning? Yes, in many ways it is. Primarily, the instructor becomes the “guide on the side” rather than the “sage on the stage” (Morgan, 2004). In the classroom, students have direct access to the instructor. Instructors use a variety of techniques in the classroom to maintain student attention, and can quickly change if it is apparent that students are lost or confused.
Education Planing
24X7?
In the online classroom, even though students tend to believe the instructor is available 24X7, instructors are seldom online at the same time as the students are online. This can cause issues, such as students who feel abandoned or overwhelmed. Since the instructor is not physically present in the online classroom, it is important to develop an acceptable method of communication or contact for students to access. This can be a virtual office hour set up using the Chat room component of WebCT, or a specified time when the instructor is in the office by the phone for telephone contact.
Use a Variety of Formats
It is important, also, to provide information in a variety of formats. Documents (typed lectures), graphics, PowerPoint presentations, Flash movies, outlines and publisher course materials are all examples of effective means of providing content. However, it should be noted that in the online environment, lecture notes should be abbreviated. Otherwise, it is just another long reading assignment, and students may or may not take advantage of the opportunity to review the material.
Online Student Traits
Another way online learning is different for students is that they must rely on themselves much more. Though the instructor guides the student through the material, the student must be an active participant. Otherwise, the student will not learn. Online courses are not for those students who prefer to wing it in class. To excel in an online course, students need to have the following traits: dedication, planning, time-management, self-discipline and a willingness to read and work through material. Students who lack these traits should not be in an online course.
Instructional design must support presenting the content of an online class in such a way that the learner is engaged, while building up the learner’s ability to use the online environment. In a face-to-face class, it could be effectively argued (depending on the subject) that both instructivism and constructivism work. However, in the online environment, instructivism becomes just static text, while constructivism engages the learner in the content.
Resources:
Morgan, S. (2004). Center for faculty excellence. Resources: Teaching. Ithaca College. Retrieved February 21, 2006 from the World Wide Web.
Online Education – A New Paradigm, a New Pedagogy?
Linda S Pogue is the Webmaster of http://www.studentagain.com and http://www.momsredkitchen.com She completed her MS in Education with an emphasis in Instructional Design for Online Learning in March 2009.
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