Online Learning

"Online Learning: Secondary Students' First Experience"
http://www.csse.ca/CJE/Articles/FullText/CJE26-4/CJE26-4-Tunison.pdf

- discusses the notion of "virtual schools" and the benefits of having no geographical boundaries
- school is always open, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- more emphasis placed on practicing and doing, preparing them more for today's changing technological society
- study done to look at the experiences of EOLL (early on line learners)
- found that with respect to communication tools available in on line learning (chat rooms, email, bulletin boards), students preferred email (to get help from their teacher, it was private, they could communicate with other students
- students preferred the bulletin board more as a means of socialization and getting to know each other bettter
- I thought it was interesting that the study stated that the bulletin board "empowered" the students to become teachers to help each other with problems they were having
- with respect to the use of chat rooms, students thought it would be best served if a teacher intervened to ensure it's proper and appropriate use; rarely used, and had to "plan" a time to be in it
- the article goes on to discuss the benefits and concerns with on line learning
- an important conclusion it does make is that adequate support must be in place for EOLL
- they also found that more student collaboration was necessary, as many of the students were content to work independently
- online learning enables and requires students to be self-directed learners

I can relate to the students in the study, because this is the first on line course I have taken. The last week has been a bit stressful trying to make sure I'm on line at certain times, making sure I'm posting my blogs, finding relevant material, etc. But, as with most things, it's getting easier. I've learned a lot this past week and my comfort level in communicating in this on line course is increasing. Onwards and upwards!