I believe online learning is beneficial to everyone. I especially am grateful for online learning since I work full-time and have at least four meetings a month that take place during after school hours. After work I enjoy coming home to my family and this allows me to complete assignments in my spare time. I also like where you state in your purpose that online learning allows people to enhance their technology skills making them more marketable for finding a job. This is so true, I personally have learned so much about technology through online learning. I find it difficult at times because I do prefer to have someone show me how to do something, but this has given me more independence in figuring things out on my own. Your blog also goes along with my own blog on social networks which allows student to communicate with one another and the instructor through networks they are familiar with already and enjoy using. Of course there is more as you provided than just social networks and using what is familiar to you when learning online. There is the opportunity to use websites that you have never used and are unfamiliar with. Going outside your comfort zone and trying new things. I also like online learning because it gives the flexibility to manage your own time and work through assignments at your leisure. This may not be beneficial to everyone especially if they find it hard to find time to complete things or stay ahead of the course.
Thanks for your comments Donna! I was especially interested in blogging about the topic of online learning since I have experienced it on both sides - as a student and as a teacher. It was interesting for me to think about the functions and benefits of online learning from both perspectives. I certainly agree with you that there are many benefits to online learning, for both the student and the teacher. Besides many of the obvious benefits, such as convenience and flexibility, there are others like learning different Web 2.0 tools and other apps that can enhance education. I have learned about so many useful and informative apps, websites, blogs, etc. by participating in online learning.
I love online learning! The flexibility of online learning allows me to work and go to school full time. I am able to finish my assignments whenever I have the time! I have also used online learning to complete training modules that were required by my school district. Again, the flexibility is a wonderful thing!
I love the plethora of online courses available to anyone in the world! Many of these courses are even available for free! The technology available today makes it possible for people to learn about nearly anything they want. The content of your blog fits perfectly with my blog on open content. Take a look at what resources are available for free!
Amy, you are right, your blog topic definitely fits in with mine well since open content can easily be incorporated into online learning. I love open content since it allows for sharing of information and resources on the web. Instead of spending hours creating a new video, lecture, or activity for an online class, I can probably find something that is relevant to my instruction that has already been created. This helps save time so I can focus my efforts on creating other resources for my classes or on spending time one-on-one with my students.
Amy, I also love the flexibility of online learning. I know that if I have a lot to do one day I am able to get my course work done ahead of time. I also have to complete online training modules for teaching and I like them much better than having to sit in a meeting and learn about the topic for hours. It is easy and convenient and allows me to complete them within a certain time frame so that I do not have to rush and get it done. There are so many resources to online learning as well and in some cases we do not have to spend the extra money on text books since we have the resources at our hands.
I love the idea of online learning! Personally, it comes in handy since we are all working full-time. We are able to access and complete assignments on our own time (for the most part) and it really teaches an important lesson of time management. I do think that in order for online learning to be most beneficial, all directions for assignments need to be explicitly clear and examples should be given to make the most of this model. In my fifth grade class there are many times that my students are absent for class and this could be a way to alleviate excess missed time. Since online learning can take a variety of formats, in my personal classroom I think it would be most helpful using a flipped classroom model. I could have all the lectures and some assignments submitted online, so if a student isn't in class they can still get the material assigned. Then when we are in class we will review, remediate, and build upon the knowledge that was from the night before.
Laura, You make a good point that online learning can occur in many different formats, such as the flipped classroom model. I have really enjoyed reading through all of these blogs because they all overlap and the technologies can be used in conjunction with each other. For example, in my hybrid classes, I incorporate social networks, open content (especially through Khan Academy), the flipped classroom model, and games. I think the use of all of these types of technologies makes students a lot more comfortable using technology, improves their 21st century skills, and provides them with multiple methods of learning a subject.
I really enjoy Khan Academy and have links up on our classroom website constantly. My grade level has really started to use Blendspace to create links in all one space. For example, we have a Blendspace for fractions. Here they can find ways to find equivalents, add, subtract, order, etc. many of which are links directly to Khan Academy. I enjoy this because in class it is hard sometimes to have students "get" something in the time available. But with Khan, or other similar resources, they can watch the video and practice as many times as they need at home until they feel that they "get" it.
Online learning has really opened so many doors for me! I started my Master's in Education in 2007 at Holy Family University in Pennsylvania. At the time that's where I was living and I chose that school because it was a shorter commute from my teaching job and had a great reputation. Several courses into that degree, I moved to Delaware with my husband because of his station in the Air Force. Coming to Delaware it took me a few years to get back into earning my Master's, because there weren't too many schools to choose from. Living in southern Delaware makes it pretty difficult to attend a school for traditional classes, just because there aren't as many options. When I was finally ready to get back on track with my Master's, I talked to a lot of other teachers who were working toward a degree through Wilmington online. Being able to take my classes online has been a life-saver! I can't imagine trying to teach all day, drive to class, stay there for 2 or 3 hours, and come home to still have lesson plans and grading to work on. I love the flexibility of online learning and how it has allowed me to accomplish something great on my own schedule. As long as you stay dedicated and can be an independent learner - then online learning is a great solution to traditional learning.
From a teacher's perspective, it is also amazing how anyone (teachers, students, parents) can go online and literally search for any topic they want to learn about. I like how online learning can range from very structured, such as taking a course for credit through a university, to very free form, like taking free courses or reading and researching topics at your own pace. I am looking forward to working on a setting up a course for my math class, so that in the future my students can combine what they learn in school with what they learn online through our course site. I think that having an online component to a class, even for public school, is a great way to keep students interested and inquiring. Students who want to know more about a topic or subject can go online and continue to learn more even when class is over.
Thank you for sharing more about online learning with us!
Caitlin, Thanks for sharing the story of your education! I know that many of my students would not be able to earn their degree without the flexibility of online learning. These students work full-time and have families to take care of. One of my students even works two jobs to support her family. These students would not be able to fit regular, face-to-face classes into their busy schedules. Fortunately, Delaware Tech offers many hybrid and online options that these students can take advantage of. I see more and more of these "nontraditional" students in my online classes and it makes me very happy that we are able to accommodate them!
I believe online learning is beneficial to everyone. I especially am grateful for online learning since I work full-time and have at least four meetings a month that take place during after school hours. After work I enjoy coming home to my family and this allows me to complete assignments in my spare time. I also like where you state in your purpose that online learning allows people to enhance their technology skills making them more marketable for finding a job. This is so true, I personally have learned so much about technology through online learning. I find it difficult at times because I do prefer to have someone show me how to do something, but this has given me more independence in figuring things out on my own.
ReplyDeleteYour blog also goes along with my own blog on social networks which allows student to communicate with one another and the instructor through networks they are familiar with already and enjoy using. Of course there is more as you provided than just social networks and using what is familiar to you when learning online. There is the opportunity to use websites that you have never used and are unfamiliar with. Going outside your comfort zone and trying new things. I also like online learning because it gives the flexibility to manage your own time and work through assignments at your leisure. This may not be beneficial to everyone especially if they find it hard to find time to complete things or stay ahead of the course.
Thanks for your comments Donna! I was especially interested in blogging about the topic of online learning since I have experienced it on both sides - as a student and as a teacher. It was interesting for me to think about the functions and benefits of online learning from both perspectives. I certainly agree with you that there are many benefits to online learning, for both the student and the teacher. Besides many of the obvious benefits, such as convenience and flexibility, there are others like learning different Web 2.0 tools and other apps that can enhance education. I have learned about so many useful and informative apps, websites, blogs, etc. by participating in online learning.
DeleteI love online learning! The flexibility of online learning allows me to work and go to school full time. I am able to finish my assignments whenever I have the time! I have also used online learning to complete training modules that were required by my school district. Again, the flexibility is a wonderful thing!
ReplyDeleteI love the plethora of online courses available to anyone in the world! Many of these courses are even available for free! The technology available today makes it possible for people to learn about nearly anything they want. The content of your blog fits perfectly with my blog on open content. Take a look at what resources are available for free!
Amy, you are right, your blog topic definitely fits in with mine well since open content can easily be incorporated into online learning. I love open content since it allows for sharing of information and resources on the web. Instead of spending hours creating a new video, lecture, or activity for an online class, I can probably find something that is relevant to my instruction that has already been created. This helps save time so I can focus my efforts on creating other resources for my classes or on spending time one-on-one with my students.
DeleteAmy,
DeleteI also love the flexibility of online learning. I know that if I have a lot to do one day I am able to get my course work done ahead of time. I also have to complete online training modules for teaching and I like them much better than having to sit in a meeting and learn about the topic for hours. It is easy and convenient and allows me to complete them within a certain time frame so that I do not have to rush and get it done. There are so many resources to online learning as well and in some cases we do not have to spend the extra money on text books since we have the resources at our hands.
I love the idea of online learning! Personally, it comes in handy since we are all working full-time. We are able to access and complete assignments on our own time (for the most part) and it really teaches an important lesson of time management. I do think that in order for online learning to be most beneficial, all directions for assignments need to be explicitly clear and examples should be given to make the most of this model.
ReplyDeleteIn my fifth grade class there are many times that my students are absent for class and this could be a way to alleviate excess missed time. Since online learning can take a variety of formats, in my personal classroom I think it would be most helpful using a flipped classroom model. I could have all the lectures and some assignments submitted online, so if a student isn't in class they can still get the material assigned. Then when we are in class we will review, remediate, and build upon the knowledge that was from the night before.
Laura,
DeleteYou make a good point that online learning can occur in many different formats, such as the flipped classroom model. I have really enjoyed reading through all of these blogs because they all overlap and the technologies can be used in conjunction with each other. For example, in my hybrid classes, I incorporate social networks, open content (especially through Khan Academy), the flipped classroom model, and games. I think the use of all of these types of technologies makes students a lot more comfortable using technology, improves their 21st century skills, and provides them with multiple methods of learning a subject.
I really enjoy Khan Academy and have links up on our classroom website constantly. My grade level has really started to use Blendspace to create links in all one space. For example, we have a Blendspace for fractions. Here they can find ways to find equivalents, add, subtract, order, etc. many of which are links directly to Khan Academy. I enjoy this because in class it is hard sometimes to have students "get" something in the time available. But with Khan, or other similar resources, they can watch the video and practice as many times as they need at home until they feel that they "get" it.
DeleteLaura,
ReplyDeleteOnline learning has really opened so many doors for me! I started my Master's in Education in 2007 at Holy Family University in Pennsylvania. At the time that's where I was living and I chose that school because it was a shorter commute from my teaching job and had a great reputation. Several courses into that degree, I moved to Delaware with my husband because of his station in the Air Force. Coming to Delaware it took me a few years to get back into earning my Master's, because there weren't too many schools to choose from. Living in southern Delaware makes it pretty difficult to attend a school for traditional classes, just because there aren't as many options. When I was finally ready to get back on track with my Master's, I talked to a lot of other teachers who were working toward a degree through Wilmington online. Being able to take my classes online has been a life-saver! I can't imagine trying to teach all day, drive to class, stay there for 2 or 3 hours, and come home to still have lesson plans and grading to work on. I love the flexibility of online learning and how it has allowed me to accomplish something great on my own schedule. As long as you stay dedicated and can be an independent learner - then online learning is a great solution to traditional learning.
From a teacher's perspective, it is also amazing how anyone (teachers, students, parents) can go online and literally search for any topic they want to learn about. I like how online learning can range from very structured, such as taking a course for credit through a university, to very free form, like taking free courses or reading and researching topics at your own pace. I am looking forward to working on a setting up a course for my math class, so that in the future my students can combine what they learn in school with what they learn online through our course site. I think that having an online component to a class, even for public school, is a great way to keep students interested and inquiring. Students who want to know more about a topic or subject can go online and continue to learn more even when class is over.
Thank you for sharing more about online learning with us!
Caitlin,
DeleteThanks for sharing the story of your education! I know that many of my students would not be able to earn their degree without the flexibility of online learning. These students work full-time and have families to take care of. One of my students even works two jobs to support her family. These students would not be able to fit regular, face-to-face classes into their busy schedules. Fortunately, Delaware Tech offers many hybrid and online options that these students can take advantage of. I see more and more of these "nontraditional" students in my online classes and it makes me very happy that we are able to accommodate them!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete