Technology Prediction and MOOC's Impact Comparison of Traditional and Online Education
Traditional and online educations differ in a number of ways. A traditional face-to-face classroom setting is primarily teacher-centered where the goal is to transfer knowledge to students in a controlled and sequential manner. The learner listens passively with limited participation. Students move through the lesson at the same pace. In comparison, the online classroom’s focus is learner-centered. It is a flexible learning environment that meets any time and any place that is convenient to the learner and the instructor becomes the facilitator. The learner is actively engaged in the learning process using technology. Students learn from each other as they share their experiences and by hearing from different perspectives in a group.
The myth that online classes are faster, easier and not as good as traditional classes is a fallacy. In fact, it is suggested that students allow three hours per credit hour to be devoted to their online coursework. The students must assume responsibility for their own learning. Motivated students do well. The instructor’s responsibility is to get to know the students backgrounds, learning styles, interests and goals and design interactive courses that facilitate successful learning. In addition, teachers are responsible for ensuring that the learners have a clear understanding of expectations. Opportunities exist for participation through journals, research reports, and artistic expressions. Through creativity the students develop a variety of ways to express themselves.The student is also more likely to learn, retain and transfer the new knowledge to real life.
In 2010, the U.S. Department of Education performed a study to determine if distance education is better, worse or as good as traditional education. Online classes performed better in final exam scores and no significant differences were found in homework grades, research paper grades. They concluded, “On average, students in online learning environments performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction.”
Each of the scholars, listed below, agreed that scientific inquiry and attention to correct procedures is the key to success in education. “Research and theory are at the foundation of credibility and quality.”(Teaching and Learning at a Distance, p.64)
James Finn (1953), one of the founders of the modern educational technology field, states that the most important characteristic of a profession is the skills involved and founded upon a body of intellectual theory and research. It is important that the thinking and research be continued in the profession.
Campbell (1963) stated the need for the rigorous application of the scientific method to the study of education.
Clark (1983) He agreed with Campbell in that the failure of many educational researchers to verify educational improvements that lead to many educators to adopt “inferior novelties” at the expense of scientifically validated “wisdom”.
Sugata Mitra, an education scientist, performed a scientifically verified method of teaching using technology. He did a real-life experiment where he embedded a computer into a wall in the slums of New Delhi, India. He had children work in groups to learn and interact with the computer. He concluded that groups of children can learn to use computers and the Internet on their own, irrespective of who or where they were. He noticed that children would learn what is necessary to do what they want to accomplish.
Salman Khan, founder of the Khan Academy, looks at the traditional classroom as giving lectures doing homework and then giving exams. The class moves onto the next topic without regard to the student’s readiness. He said, “Gaps in understanding might exist that effect future coursework.” The traditional educational model penalizes you for experimentation and failure, but it does not expect mastery. He encourages students to experiment and to fail and he expects mastery.
Khan experimented with flipping a math classroom using a color-coded computer system to indicate the level of competencies. Students worked at their own pace and progressed through the program. The instructor had a dashboard that showed how they were progressing and understanding the material. If they were stuck the instructor intervened or assigned a peer to help another student.
The Ngee Ann Secondary School is one of the ”Future Schools” in Singapore that ranks No. 1 in student academic performance. It is a public school that emphasizes the use of technology, digital media, and the integration of 21st century skills. The role of the teacher is a facilitator that engages the students in technology. School should be fun and when students are engaged and interested, learning takes place. Ongoing professional development is one key factor to Singapore’s educational success. They form professional learning communities for educators where they can share best practices with colleagues. Learning grows with sharing and communication.
On the contrary, it’s interesting that at Waldorf School in the high-tech area of Silicon Valley, California computers are not used in the elementary school. They want children to be children. Waldorf points to a graduation rate of nearly 100% as proof that old-fashioned teaching still has value in modern education.
Coursea.org, a MOOC, “massively open online courses,” offers free online classes from universities to anyone in the world. It is made up of a diverse group of learners from different educational levels, ages and nationalities. This platform relies on peer grading that may affect feedback but it allows an opportunity to interact with all kinds of backgrounds. The anonymity of the coursea classes, as with other MOOCs, allows some freedom to explore new theories or ask questions. There are critics of this type of education that say the low completion rates are proof that the MOOC model is fundamentally broken.One very successful course on coursea is “A beginner’s guide to irrational behavior.” Professor Dan Ariely, of Duke University, in his introduction video spoke about the expectations of the class and talks about some of the topics that will be discussed in class. For example, why we value some things and not others and why we do things wrongly like texting and driving and what we can do to improve our behavior. Students who complete the class with a grade of 85% and above will receive a Statement of Accomplishment signed by Dan.
The world has changed and is embracing technology so education can’t stagnate, it must also change. When teaching changes to include current technologies students will be engaged and real learning can take place. Instructions must be presented in a clear manner and students must be highly self-motivated so it may not be beneficial for everyone. Teaching and learning is a two-way endeavor and to experience successful distant learning both learner and teacher need to do their part.
Graphic by Stuart Miles, Image ID: 100292155
http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/
Standard License
The myth that online classes are faster, easier and not as good as traditional classes is a fallacy. In fact, it is suggested that students allow three hours per credit hour to be devoted to their online coursework. The students must assume responsibility for their own learning. Motivated students do well. The instructor’s responsibility is to get to know the students backgrounds, learning styles, interests and goals and design interactive courses that facilitate successful learning. In addition, teachers are responsible for ensuring that the learners have a clear understanding of expectations. Opportunities exist for participation through journals, research reports, and artistic expressions. Through creativity the students develop a variety of ways to express themselves.The student is also more likely to learn, retain and transfer the new knowledge to real life.
In 2010, the U.S. Department of Education performed a study to determine if distance education is better, worse or as good as traditional education. Online classes performed better in final exam scores and no significant differences were found in homework grades, research paper grades. They concluded, “On average, students in online learning environments performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction.”
Each of the scholars, listed below, agreed that scientific inquiry and attention to correct procedures is the key to success in education. “Research and theory are at the foundation of credibility and quality.”(Teaching and Learning at a Distance, p.64)
James Finn (1953), one of the founders of the modern educational technology field, states that the most important characteristic of a profession is the skills involved and founded upon a body of intellectual theory and research. It is important that the thinking and research be continued in the profession.
Campbell (1963) stated the need for the rigorous application of the scientific method to the study of education.
Clark (1983) He agreed with Campbell in that the failure of many educational researchers to verify educational improvements that lead to many educators to adopt “inferior novelties” at the expense of scientifically validated “wisdom”.
Sugata Mitra, an education scientist, performed a scientifically verified method of teaching using technology. He did a real-life experiment where he embedded a computer into a wall in the slums of New Delhi, India. He had children work in groups to learn and interact with the computer. He concluded that groups of children can learn to use computers and the Internet on their own, irrespective of who or where they were. He noticed that children would learn what is necessary to do what they want to accomplish.
Salman Khan, founder of the Khan Academy, looks at the traditional classroom as giving lectures doing homework and then giving exams. The class moves onto the next topic without regard to the student’s readiness. He said, “Gaps in understanding might exist that effect future coursework.” The traditional educational model penalizes you for experimentation and failure, but it does not expect mastery. He encourages students to experiment and to fail and he expects mastery.
Khan experimented with flipping a math classroom using a color-coded computer system to indicate the level of competencies. Students worked at their own pace and progressed through the program. The instructor had a dashboard that showed how they were progressing and understanding the material. If they were stuck the instructor intervened or assigned a peer to help another student.
The Ngee Ann Secondary School is one of the ”Future Schools” in Singapore that ranks No. 1 in student academic performance. It is a public school that emphasizes the use of technology, digital media, and the integration of 21st century skills. The role of the teacher is a facilitator that engages the students in technology. School should be fun and when students are engaged and interested, learning takes place. Ongoing professional development is one key factor to Singapore’s educational success. They form professional learning communities for educators where they can share best practices with colleagues. Learning grows with sharing and communication.
On the contrary, it’s interesting that at Waldorf School in the high-tech area of Silicon Valley, California computers are not used in the elementary school. They want children to be children. Waldorf points to a graduation rate of nearly 100% as proof that old-fashioned teaching still has value in modern education.
Coursea.org, a MOOC, “massively open online courses,” offers free online classes from universities to anyone in the world. It is made up of a diverse group of learners from different educational levels, ages and nationalities. This platform relies on peer grading that may affect feedback but it allows an opportunity to interact with all kinds of backgrounds. The anonymity of the coursea classes, as with other MOOCs, allows some freedom to explore new theories or ask questions. There are critics of this type of education that say the low completion rates are proof that the MOOC model is fundamentally broken.One very successful course on coursea is “A beginner’s guide to irrational behavior.” Professor Dan Ariely, of Duke University, in his introduction video spoke about the expectations of the class and talks about some of the topics that will be discussed in class. For example, why we value some things and not others and why we do things wrongly like texting and driving and what we can do to improve our behavior. Students who complete the class with a grade of 85% and above will receive a Statement of Accomplishment signed by Dan.
The world has changed and is embracing technology so education can’t stagnate, it must also change. When teaching changes to include current technologies students will be engaged and real learning can take place. Instructions must be presented in a clear manner and students must be highly self-motivated so it may not be beneficial for everyone. Teaching and learning is a two-way endeavor and to experience successful distant learning both learner and teacher need to do their part.
Graphic by Stuart Miles, Image ID: 100292155
http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/
Standard License