She would also show the Kahn guy on the smartboard and said that at times she would let him teach the lesson. She would pause and go over key points.
She changed her mind about learning online.
Another quick story, my friend said, as I was typing up this blog (he is used to my A.D.D.) that he wouldn't want to take a master's online. He said that he considered taking an online master's program and each class is a week long. You put in about 30 hours a week from home. He said that he can't go on 20 or 30 hours a week online.
It is an interesting discussion. A lot of people think that the way they perceive the world should be the same way everyone else perceives it. (I don't want a dog in my house so neither should anyone).
So I was looking to see if we can stimulate some conversation on the pros and Khan's (pardon the pun) of online learning vs. classroom learning. What is better for you? What is better for your students? What is better for your children? If you prefer a mix, like we have in this current Hybrid TC format, how would you like the ingredients to come together?
Great discussion starter, I have lots of thoughts (surprise, surprise) but I think I will sit and listen for a while and weigh what others are thinking.
ReplyDeleteI actually did my Masters online. It was through the University of Scranton http://www.uscranton.com/online-masters-curriculum/. I absolutely loved it. While I do enjoy collaborating and working with people, I often find myself to be a little obsessive about how and when I get things done. Here I didn't have to wait to get work done, start projects, or depend on anyone but myself. I clearly am far from a procrastinator (hence the close to 14 hours I have logged for this class already, haha).
ReplyDeleteEach week we were responsible for a variety of things usually involving watching a virtual class, creating and commenting on posts, writing papers, creating power points, all things that you would have to do in a face to face class, just using the computer.
The only problem I ever faced was when I had to take a statistics course. I am useless when it comes to stats and it was difficult to navigate the course and truly understand it without an instructor helping me directly.
That being said, I am very happy with online learning.
For my students, it truly depends on the group I am working with. Rewind to January and I had to stand on my head to keep the children's attention, so online wouldn't work. But I do know that when older kids get to use some type of technology in their learning, it works wonders. Using webquests, podcasts and anything technological usually keeps kids' interests. I think that in this day and age, not to use any online learning is silly, but it does not have to be all out.
I have an online app that I use for teaching constructions. It does it so much more efficiently than I do and it's available online after the class actually happens. It's hard to incorporate math with online stuff directly, I think. So many students need to see it happen. Here's the geometry construction site:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mathopenref.com/tocs/constructionstoc.html
I initially liked the hybrid learning best because it suited my lifestyle as a working mother. I have noticed that while some of my colleagues are up and working at 6 AM, I like working later hours in the day, and that works best for me. The hybrid allows that flexibility, and as long as assignments are continuously being worked on, no one can take advantage of the system. While this style works for a class like ours that relies on alot of self exploration, collaboration, discipline, I cannot see it working as well with all classes or age groups. This is a difficult model to use with people who require more guidance, life skills, and self discipline. There is so much that is taught in a class setting outside of the curriculum content in itself. Students learn key social and functional skills from being in a building with teachers, students, etc. While apps can help them keep organized or learn skills, students need so much more to be functional adults. Children need to learn to get up on time to make a bus, to pack a bag with the things they need, to budget their time between classes so as not to be late, to take direction from people they don't always like (i.e. teachers), to negotiate social situations successfully, to work with someone side by side on completing a project collaboratively, to make note of assignments and things they are responsible for without relying on someone else (i.e. teacher) putting it on a website or app for them. Personal responsibility doesn't happen by itself. While I like the idea of incorporating videos, docs, apps, and other Google tools into instruction, and building up students self exploration skills through the use of online courses, I cannot imagine education without a physical school building with face-to-face student to teacher and student-to-student interactions.
ReplyDeleteReading Miriam's reply reminds me of all of the reasons I am against home schooling. I agree with her, children do need a significant amount of socialization to be productive, contributing, (not dangerous axe murderer types...cant find the word), members of society.
ReplyDeleteBut, for me, this worked fine. My children are adults and they take up almost no time, but I am busy so this format works well for me. I feel that I am learning a lot and at my own pace. I spend more time on what I need to, and less times on those skills I have mastered.
This kind of course is not for everyone. There is a substancial amount of work, which I enjoy doing (mostly because it is applicable to both my job and my life).
The hybrid course is great, although I have taken regular courses with both Erin and Andy and I learned a lot in those classes as well.
Did I answer the questions? I will be right to the point. Regular students in k-12 need more direction and so no on-line nor hybrid courses for them. I feel that starting in college it is certainly a good option for those that can handle the work load as well as the independent work ethic necessary to successfully complete the course.
Andy, I would do better at home because their are fewer distractions. Here's a parallel story. My wife hated exercise and told me that she is allergic to running because her heart races and she get a red rash on her face. She tried Zumba videos and couldn't do them. The she joined a Zumba class and it was like she was in the club but without the nasty advances of desperate men. She was in a comfortable place with peers in a social situation where she thrives. Online classes rock, if you are a motivated learner.
ReplyDeleteThat is a key statement. "Online classes rock, if you are a motivated learner."
DeleteI like the hybrid classes. Never took one before this spring. There are many pros...it provides an entire course session in a weeks time, you get to work from home AND get to interact with peers in person during in class time, since it involves technology you can virtually do your work anywhere(do I hear the surf?), you get continuous customized help, you get to interact with peers as well as see their creative designs/work/models, you have an instant supportive community who understands your angst and celebrates your triumphs.
ReplyDeleteNow the cons...you need to be SELF MOTIVATED, you need to be passionate about the class, you need to want to learn, you need to know it's going to be a killer but within a short span of time, you need to prepare your family for a week of crazy..lol. Yes, there are a lot of "YOU" statements. Ultimately I feel it is not for a person who is not motivated, not willing to work outside their comfort zone, not for the faint of hearted.
I think hybrid classes provide the best of both worlds. But of course I had a great first experience because of you and Erin.
Thanks so much for the kind words. Self-motivated is key. What Erin and I both try to do is put together a little bit of content for everyone. This way even if you aren't completely motivated you can still find something of interest, that gets the senses going.
DeleteI think that technology has a place in classroom when used correctly. I have used Khan's as a follow up to a lesson. Sometimes, their explanation is easier for the students to follow. I do not think that all learning can take place on line. I have taken several TEI courses on-line and I don't think I gained as much as I would have from a classroom setting. The face to face interactions are critical. For myself, I am a fan of the hybrid course. I can have the face to face interactions and then I can go home and experiment with the technology at my own pace.
ReplyDeleteAs for our students, I feel they still require the face to face interactions with adults and peers. Not only academics are taught in schools. Children learn vital social skills in school. Taking this away would have a negative impact on our society. Children today are born with technology in their hands. (My 2 year old knows how to work many games on my I pad.) Their social interactions outside of school are limited. I do feel that using technology to help reach students is critical. We have to get the students engaged and motivated to learn.
Overall, I am a fan of the hybrid course. I still need to talk face to face with the teachers to have my questions answered.
What a great discussion on an excellent topic! Personally, I have mixed feelings on the issue. I have never taken an online course until after I completed my Masters Degree as well as my Bilingual Extension. This is my third hybrid course. While taking courses online can be more flexible and less time consuming, one needs to be extremely disciplined and not allow for external distractions during virtual school hours. Being that I am a mom, I feel that I cannot make such a long term commitment. When I am at home, the kids naturally gravitate towards me. Technology hybrid courses on the other hand, make sense. The only way to learn about the computer is by experimenting online in a hands-on fashion. However, I don't think that I would completely substitute in-class learning for myself when it involves courses other than technology.
ReplyDeleteAs I type my daughter is draped around me like a blanket. I would rather be here than in school. We are talking about friends and family and I'm getting work done. I just finished help her practice the piano.
DeleteThat's fantastic Andy! You are incredible when it comes to multitasking. I tried to do that while working on the computer one day, and my 9 year old daughter tells me "Mommy, when you talk to me you need to make eye-contact!". Out of the mouths of babes...
DeleteOk, for starters, I just wrote a long response to this query and then looked up and it was completely gone. My undo button was grey....My first and foremost problem with on-line. Now that I got that out of the way, and a few curse words, let me try to re-write what I just wrote before...My husband always quotes me. Whenever we are debating anything, I always say ""There are pros and cons to everything." People from previous classes know that I feel like I am old school and am constantly having to challenge myself to think and learn outside my box. So I will first speak of the cons: Other than my work disappearing, I feel frustrated easily when I can't do something or something doesn't make sense...When I am on line learning by myself, I find it difficult to grasp some of the ways in which the computer is supposed to be my friend and help me be more efficient. I get tripped up easily when it comes to navigating learning on line. Often it takes me a very long time to do something that I "think" should be quicker. I know I have great support (thank you Erin and Andy) but often I want to fix it myself and can't.(or ot os to late at night to call anyone) I also think sometimes when I think I am doing something effectively, it turns out to be wrong. But since the way in which our students are learning now is often through on line technology (This will be their 'old school' someday) it is imperative that I/we understand that perspective. If I am feeling frustrated with this learning style, I need to find ways in which I can help my students overcome their frustrations with on line learning. Now some PROS: If I want my kids to learn trough technology, the best way for me to be able to teach them these skills is to know them myself. Another pro, I am a night owl. Classes that meet early in the morning were always a problem. If I can do my work at night, it is quiet, non distracting and at my peek hours for learning, than I am ahead of the game. I also think that when you take the reigns to what you are learning about, you can often far exceed what may be taught in "book" form. Like I said before, there are pros and cons to EVERYTHING!
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Please reach out and try a hangout we can do a fast one and figure out some problems. Sometimes 2 sets of eyes can help quicken things up and problem solving becomes more fluid.
DeleteFirst of I want to start by saying that I am a big fan of the Chalfin/Higgins classes. Along with what others have stated, i.e that they are flexible, being home and working at your own pace, i think that the key to any participants success with online/hybrid courses is the amount of motivation and time you put into it. As I said last night im my blog, if you just keep putting in the time that work deserves and keep plugging away then you can certainly walk away having not only learned something but apply it in your classroom as well. Have taking almost every class you guys have taught (i think i missed one!), i have been able to use the tools that you and Erin have given me to come up with some pretty great stuff within my classroom. The support and time that you have not only given myself but others is invaluable. I think one of the greatest strengths of an online/hybrid course is the opportunity to get in there and just explore. As with anything there are positives and negatives to all classes but when online/hybrid classes aare presented by the right people and in the right manner the posivtives overwhelmingly outway any negatives. Thanks to you and Erin for pushing the teacher's center and showing them that this learning model is extremely effective and successful.
ReplyDeleteAndy this topic is a hot topic and you are going to get all different types of responses. I have taken graduate courses on-line and regular in-class. There is a definite difference. I find that on-line courses force you to be more independent and figure things out on your own. There is less spoon feeding in an on-line class. This can be a pro or a con, depending on what type of person you are and what your learning style is like. Very often an on-line course can be harder since there is no one to guide you and work is piled on to make up for the class time and to make sure learning is taking place. I have two pros to our on-line course which I did not have when I took graduate courses on-line. First of all, the hangouts are amazing. Even though we are exploring and working on our own, you are there to guide us and clarify any issues. When I took the on-line course I was not able to see anyone not even the instructor. When you know who you are talking to and can actually see them that makes a huge difference. As technology grows, on-line courses will change with the technology and get even better. Second, our class is a mix so we get the best of both worlds. I am really enjoying the hybrid form of class instruction. It is a great mix of the two, bringing together the pros from each one.
ReplyDeleteI actually agree with your friend, except the part about zoning out. The interactions with professor and classmates in class helps me to retain information...like when we do hands-on experiments and activities with our students. However, now having taken a couple of hybrid courses, I can see the benefits of this format as well. We , or I , still reap the benefits of "face-time" and also can have interactions via the computer. I don't know if I could handle an entire Master's program in this format (mostly because I enjoy having time interacting with grown-ups in person), but my perspective certainly has changed and I am more open to online courses (especially of the hybrid variety).
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting topic that I would like to comment on (though I'm not sure if i am commenting in the right place or not, or whether this officially counts as a blog or not). Anyway, I am really enjoying hybrid/online classes. I love the ability to work at your own pace (under very rigorous pressures). But the best part of online learning, kind of hit me as an "aha moment" in the first class when you guys were talking about how much effort we put into the class. Traditionally teaching/learning has been about receiving whatever it is the teacher has to give. There are those students that get it, those that reluctantly receive some of it, and those that never get it. There are even those that got it even before the teacher gave it, so they didn't need to spend the time learning something they already knew. Anyway, my point is, when the teacher finished speaking, the lesson was over and you waited with bated breath for tomorrow's lesson. With online learning students are in control of their own learning. Or rather, students are responsible for how high they will soar. Online learning is the ultimate differentiated tool because everyone starts where they are and builds from there. Learning and pacing are different for everyone, but EVERYone is learning.
ReplyDelete