Learning in a Digital World
During this past quarter I have been given the opportunity
to review the various learning theories that I first learned over fifteen years
ago while I was working towards my Bachelor’s degree. Throughout my educational
journey I have had the privilege of participating in various learning styles from
the traditional face to face classes where instructors come to class prepared
spill their guts in hope that us eager students would be able to grasp ahold of
their information. After sitting through a predetermined amount of lectures the
professor proudly gave us an test that they used to determine how much
information we actually absorbed. The
benefit from having such a class was that depending upon the teacher we as
students had opportunities to ask the professor any question we could think
of. In my opinion, this is where
learning really took place, where the student and teacher were actively
involved in a conversation about a given topic.
We as students were receptive to what was being said and we gained knowledge.
Back in the eighties, if you wanted to take independent
classes you enrolled in correspondence classes.
These classes are the precursors to today’s online learning
courses. The biggest difference is that
as the name applies you were given a notebook full of units that had the
following: An introduction to the topic of the week, the learning objectives,
reading assignments and usually a project or series of questions that you would
answer and mail the assignments into the instructor. Contacting the instructor usually required
you to write a letter and hope for a response.
Yes we were in a class but were left to our own devices to figure out
what we were to learn.
Then computers came into the scene of education, at first
teachers used them for word processing, taking grades and drill and practice
programs. With the advent of the
Internet and the creation ot the World Wide Web did it become popular and
possible to take online learning courses.
With this new technology and its integration into the lives of virtually
everybody, new learning theories were developed to explain how students could
effectively use computer technology in the classroom.
There are critics who think that Connectivism is not a
learning nor instructional theory, however it does help us explain how to
effectively use computers as a learning tool.
It should always be remembered that technology is a tool that can be
used to assist in the learning process and has never been designed to replace
teachers in the classroom.
Tim,
ReplyDeleteMy experience is similar to yours. I got my Master Degree in a traditional face-to-face setting. The most valuable knowledge I got directly from my professors. About 10 years later I got another degree mostly through correspondence courses. And now I am taking all of my classes online. I do think that to be successful online learners, the face-to-face learning is needed. I agree: technology should not replace teachers in the classroom.
Lena
Tim,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the way that you clearly summarized the evolution of distance education. You mentioned new learning theories being used to explain classroom technology. What area of classroom technology is going to emerge as the most crucial in the coming years?
Joshua
Tim,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your experiences. I have completed many correspondence courses; I am appreciative of the digital age. I still believe face-to-face learning is important, but when possible blending the classroom with technology for out of class involvement is great for reflection. Do you have any recommendations for blending technology in a higher education classroom?
Jerry
I am quite sure that correspondence learning had many challenges not to mention the possibility of assignments being lost in the mail. Thanks for your explanation of the development of distance learning. As one who has been officially diagnosed with ADHD, online learning works best for me in that I am able to spend most of my time dedicated to my studies with out the additional stress of in-class lectures that I would usually struggle with following. I have learned more in this type of educational setting than my brick and mortar BA and M.Ed. programs combined. I guess, the best setting really depends on the individual learner. Thanks for sharing your post.
ReplyDeleteI am one of the critics that really don't consider Connectivism a true learning theory. I labeled it more as of a prerequisite to other learning theories. I truly feel that in all learning theories, there must be some connection made with information. 21st century technology has only given us more avenues to which we connect with infomation, but I must commend you on the way in which you describe connectivism as a way for us to better understand how to use computers to assist in our learning.
ReplyDelete