Communication Blog Post
Communication has evolved greatly over time in school. Innovations such as the computer and internet have made it much easier for distance learning to be possible. There are many online tools that aid in communication in relation to distance learning such as the internet, email, web cams, video casts, podcasts, chat rooms, and instant messaging. All of the advances have made distance learning possible. With distance learning, communication is essential. Since students do not actually sit in the classroom, they have to be able to connect with the instructor; the internet has made that possible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpiv1I0M7zY
The link above discusses how communication is essential in schools. The school in focus is not a distant learning school; however the same principals apply. Scott Johnson narrates; he discusses how there are varying types of communication in the school, internal and external. Internal communication deals with faculty where external deals with parents and students. Johnson discusses how the school was improved to make communication better and easier.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an8rZyqCXW0
Dr. Steffen Schmidt narrates this video. He is a professor for an online class. He discusses how the online class should be treated the same as a regular, traditional class. The students come to class via the internet and Web CT. Dr. Schmidt talks about how students cannot neglect their studies because they are not in a classroom. It is important to stay in touch with your classmates and professor.
Margaret,
ReplyDeleteAs Palloff and Pratt state communication is the key to distance learning, not only with the instructor but, within the group(2005).Do you think that assessment of face to face traditional classes should be the same as distance learning?
Marcia
Palloff, R. M., & Pratt, K. (2005). Collaborating online: Learning together in community. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Yes, I do. I think sometimes especially in large institutions, the personal experience is lost. I completed my under-grad at a small methodist college. My largest class had 30. My major classes had 10 at most. We were all close and worked together on most aspects of the class. I found that it helped greatly.
ReplyDeleteWith online learning communities growing and the hardware and software you described that is now available in your post do you think that in the future all educators will eventually have to teach via distant learning or will there always be a need for face to face instructon?
ReplyDeleteWhat qualities do you think are necessary to be an effective online instructor? What is different about being an online instructor than a F2F instructor?
ReplyDeleteI think there will always be a need for the face to face instruction. I think there will be the learners that need to see the instructor. With the advances and changes in education and technology who knows what will happen.
ReplyDeleteIn order to be an effective distance learner instructor you have to communicate your expectations via email, syllabus, and rubrics. I communcation is the key since there is no personal contact.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The need for FTF interaction cannot be ignored as we continue to move forward with distance learning. Just as there are students that work best in a FTF classroom I think there are professors that feel the same. You have to be able to adapt your teaching style to include the needs of the distance learner and the allowing them to "take over" and explore topics with teacher initiated guidance. Forcing all professors to teach online would not be productive. I think this might be an area that could allow for co-teaching so that both professors can give their combined expertise while one stronger in distance education could lead that aspect of the class.
ReplyDelete