In a K-12 setting, distance learning or traditional learning requires careful planning that must take place in order for the educational process to work for the students. When we look at both forms of education there are still pros and cons to both. Although online learning has made a major impact in the world of education, many people have not accepted this form of education. One of the reason for their concerns is that students cannot get fast answers to their questions about the assignment from the teacher. Another concern is that the students cannot perform effectively in a group collaboration that is taking place online. Also, students may not effectively do their homework from an online program. Lastly, some families do not have the technology at home for online learning.
With the wave of technology being a part of the main stream educational process, online learning is being considered as an option for most parents of a K-12 learner. Although it is a great way to learn it involves time and commitment from both students and their families. It is also making it easier for home schooled students to get their lessons, as well as for the resources parents need in teaching their child at home.
In my research about distance learning in the educational setting comparable to my current employment, I have selected two articles that discuss pros and cons about distance learning. The firsts article is entitled, “Barriers to online teaching in Elementary, Secondary, and teacher education,” by Zane L. Berge, Ph.D. The second one is, “Virtual Schools and E-Learning in K-12 Environments, Emerging Policy and Practice,” by Robert Blomeyer, NCREL Program Associate.
Using the Internet in Educational Settings 3
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Rferences
Berge, Zane L. Ph.D. (1999, January). Barriers to online teaching in elementary,
secondary, and teacher education. emoderators.com
http://www.emoderators.com/barriers/barrwire.shtml
Blomeyer, Robert, NCREL Program Associate. (2002, April). Emerging Policy and
Practice. Learning Point Associates
http://www.ncrel.org/policy/pubs/html/pivol11/apr2002c.htm
Works Cited
Rferences
Berge, Zane L. Ph.D. (1999, January). Barriers to online teaching in elementary,
secondary, and teacher education. emoderators.com
http://www.emoderators.com/barriers/barrwire.shtml
Blomeyer, Robert, NCREL Program Associate. (2002, April). Emerging Policy and
Practice. Learning Point Associates
http://www.ncrel.org/policy/pubs/html/pivol11/apr2002c.htm
The Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration (ojdla) is a peer-reviewed journal which publishes articles from practitioners or researchers “with specific focus or implications for the management of distance education programs” (ojdla, 2009, Mission section). The need to recruit, train, and retain qualified online instructors is a concern for administrators of distance learning programs. This research article critique focuses on Bedford’s (2009) ojdla article which presented her research into a new trend she identified in online instruction: the emergence of the full-time professional adjunct.
In his article, “Can You Be Education from a Distance?”, James Barszcz effectively weighs the pros and cons of online education compared to the traditional method, while effectively supporting his position with factual information and statistics. While distance education proves to be convenient for students, Barszcz asserts that it eliminates valuable experiences necessary in order to get the most out of the material being learned.
Balancing the Penn Foster College Veterinary Technology curriculum with work and family is often challenging for me. Distance learning is so much different from a conventional classroom. There is no opportunity to exchange ideas with another classmate face-to-face, or have personal contact with a teacher to ask questions and get clarification on a given assignment. Yes, there is the student forum for posting questions, as well as e-mail and the telephone, but they are not the same.
Technology can help students learn better by keeping them better involved or forcing them to stay on task. Teachers can use certain programs to find out what a student’s weaknesses are and aim at them to improve and make their weaknesses strengths. Software can also be used to tell parents how their student is doing in class and let them know what they need to improve on or if they are missing class. Parents can then take needed action to help better their child and the child’s future. Online classes can now be taken to earn credit hours that are not taught at a school.
In the recent times, home schooling has been the most sought mode of learning by the American parents. In fact, it estimated that over 1 million children in America are now undergoing home schooling (Cooper, 2005). Although this form of learning is legally acceptable, parents are entrusted with teaching and coaching their children in all subjects. In addition, parents can also hire private tutors for their children as part of home schooling. This form of learning is aimed at ensuring that parents commit themselves in ensuring their children are able to learn like other kids in public schools.
Students can use computers, cellphones and tablets to read books and utilize websites such as khan academy to relearn missed concepts and lessons. The use of online learning
School has been in our lives for the longest time and it has always been a positive experience. It sets students on a path to achieve their education goal and stepping stones to a career! Now with all the advancements in life, students have the opportunity to do online classes. This is useful if the pupil is not able to attend school or their school does not offer some classes that they would like to take. Experiencing both of these ways of schooling, I have an understanding of the differences between the two. The major differences between online school and traditional school are the flexibility opportunities, the communication with the teachers, and the time management/discipline from the learner.
Distance learning, sometimes called e-learning, is a formalized teaching and learning system specifically designed to be carried out remotely by using electronic communication. People could find out distance learning on the internet or searching form the school, sometimes teachers would introduce the best or the most credibility distance learning web. Such as class.com and University of Phoenix, etc. Distance learning is less expensive and is not constrained by geographic considerations; it offers opportunities in situations where traditional education has difficulty operating. Students with scheduling or distance problems can benefit, as can employees, because distance education can be more flexible in terms of time and can be delivered virtually anywhere. Under the unified leadership of the distance learning education, the modern distance learning education work gradual increase the number of school has now reached a certain scale. However, not every school or any distance learning education has clear idea for the modern education. Many people have differences understandings and it formed a big deviation. It can be said, for the purpose of developing the distance learning education and the hopes has not formed a consensus, which leads to very often difficult to form in the actual work force.
A myriad of schools around the world have successfully utilized the advancement of technologies to create more appropriate learning conditions for learners. Beldarrin (2006) stated that the evolution of technology encouraged distance educators to use new tools to launch better learning environments where learners are prepared to be life-long learners. With distance education, schools have been able to take in more students, but they do not need to expand their physical space. Adult learners believe distance education is more accessible and self-regulated. Among the distance education models, hybrid learning has become more popular because of its combination of...
Not all students can adapt to virtual learning, as students have to be good readers and the online program may lack the auditory support found in traditional classes. They also must be self-motivated and organized so as to keep track of their work and assignment due dates. Students wishing to take classes that require direct instruction and use of materials not available at home, such as science classes requiring lab work or cooking classes, may have to enroll in classes elsewhere. There has also been some concern “that students who are enrolled full-time in online public schools may suffer from a lack of opportunities for socialization, and consequently may fail to develop important social skills” (Sivin-Kachala & Bialo, 2009, p. 2). There are both pros and cons to virtual learning.
In the beginning was the word, and the word was written. Some people have described distance education as the use of print or electronic communications media to deliver instruction when teachers and learners are separated in place and/or time(Eastmond, 1995, qtd. in Kerka). Others emphasize distance learning over education, defining it as “getting people - and often video images of people - into the same electronic space so they can help one another learn” (Filipczak, 1995, p. 111 qtd in Kerka), or a “system and process that connects learners with distributed resources” (Filipczak, p. 113). These last two definitions tend to center on the learner and give the learner more control. Given that the teacher evaluation in the state of Texas is now looking toward “Learner centered education”, this will be the emphasis of this research, that distance learning is a system which connects people in order to obtain information or education.
Distance education allows you to study at home or in your office, according to your own schedule, there are no classes to attend. Generally, each course comes with a manual that may be accompanied by videotapes, audiotapes, audio CDs, computer diskettes, CD-ROMs, etc., depending on the nature of the course. As well, many courses incorporate computer conferencing, e-mail, listservs, computer-based quizzes, and the Internet. Some courses are entirely on-line, using the World Wide Web as an innovative learning environment.
Distance learning is an alternative method of education in our society, which values time and convenience. Online learning, although not a tangible way to attend a university, allows those with families, people with busy lives, those with jobs, those with physical disabilities, and those who do not have access to universities or the right classes to learn the r skills they need, and attain the right degree, in order to work in our field of choice.
This article made some interesting evaluations; online learning was a big dilemma for me when I decided to go back to school. While I possessed the discipline to attend online, I did however lack the skills needed to maneuver within my course of study. After attending a classroom-based school with some online classes, I made a decision to continue my studies online. The teachers design and interaction meets my level of understanding and when I’m not sure of an assignment, I simply contact them via e-mail. I feel the author did a great job in addressing his chosen topic, showing both the strengths and the weaknesses of his study.
There have been many critics that strongly advocate against the use of distance learning in elementary schools. With the increased availability and choice of new technology, comes many new concerns about the quality of instruction and the threat it may pose to the already established methods of teaching. Many believe that this new teaching method may replace the existing classroom all together, and won’t give students the adequate face-to-face contact they need. Most critics fear that “ineffective face-to-face teaching methods could be made even worse when they become technology based” (Truell, 2001, p46). The computer and internet have become dominant distance learning technologies, and hold the potential to take away from the human aspect of learning, so students do not learn the proper social skills they need to develop early on. Children need to learn to interact with one another, and function properly in a social setting, they learn this primarily within the classroom, and if these classroom settings are altered by distance learning, then they will no learn how to function in the normal social school setting. Many critics also say that all schools do not have the appropriate technological support and infrastructure to make distance learning programs effective for students. Since all schools do not have the tools and financial means needed to establish and support effective distance learning programs, they would not be able to keep up with the advancing technology in education, and therefore their students would not receive the same advantages as other students in the schools around them (Ravaglia & Sommer, 2000). Greenwood (1998) states that schools using distance learning are just contracting out their educational responsibilities and that such courses result in the elimination of teaching jobs. He feels that by using distance learning to teach students, they are minimizing the teacher’s job of actually teaching the students and designing lesson plans, and therefore slowly eliminating the need for teachers in the classroom at all. It is thought that there is more emphasis being placed on teaching than learning, and as a consequence schools are using distance education as merely a means to extend the classroom walls . While the critics of distance learning feel that this is just a way for schools to educate students, and relieve themselves of their responsibilities, there has been even more substantial evidence that these programs improve the elementary curriculum, rather than replace it altogether.