The opportunities created by online education are numerous including blended learning (i.e. combined campus and online learning). The online aspect can be a bit tricky due to the dependence on internet and challenges and benefits associated with the internet. One such is learners and teachers concern about their digital presence and footprints. There are also concerns about online how to find a balance and not become too personal online (White, 2014). In this course, I have learnt how to effectively engage professionally while safely having a personal touch to my engagement. Furthermore, the concept digital natives and immigrants may create concerns in the minds of older instructors who may consider younger learners as more versatile in their ability to navigate (Prensky 2001). Some instructors may in fact think that they speak a different language from their students.
Another
important thing that I have learnt in the course is the need to create courses that
are well planed in terms of content, organization and execution. The role of a
functional IT infrastructure/support cannot be overemphasized.
The important role of the instructor/e-moderator especially in online settings is undeniable. The Salmon model for online learning comes in handy as a framework to shape our thinking as instructors and course designers (Salmon, 2013). Furthermore since students seem to learn better in communities/networks, designing our courses in a way that promotes peer learning is encouraged. It is also a way to foster online socialization.
I have also
learned about many new tools to create exciting and attractive presentations.
These can be used by students and instructors alike to stimulate knowledge
acquisition and student participation. Many of these tools are freely available
in their standard format but may be upgraded at a fee. Not only have I learnt about
freely available tools, I have also learnt about openness in education in order
to make learning accessible. Openness via creative common and the likes, means that
certain materials are available for use at no fee and that users do not run the
risk of plagiarism. At another level, entire courses are opened and made freely
available to the general public e.g. as MOOCs. This way learners all over the world
have access to lectures and resources from prominent scholars, researchers and elite
institutions.
There are advantages
and challenges though. Openess in education has good implications for
sustainable development especially as materials become accessible even in
remote places. However teachers may worry about the risk of their
materials being remixed to produce end products that ridicule the author or
produce other not so flattering ideas.
In conclusion, blended or pure online learning are flexible approaches to learning and there is a whole new world opening in terms of infrastructure, tools etc. Whether fee paying learner or free learner, the opportunities provided will doubt enhances people’s chances for life-long learning.
References
White, D.
S. (2014). Part 1: Visitors and Residents. Retrieved 20 March from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPOG3iThmRI&feature=youtu.be
Prensky, M.
(2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. On the Horizon, 9(5), 6.
Salmon, G
(2013) The Five Stage Model. Retrieved May 17 from:
http://www.gillysalmon.com/five-stage-model.html
