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| Distant Learning from Home |
I am currently a master's student at UTK experiencing distance learning. I have taken online courses before, but never a full-time course load. It has been challenging figuring out group work using only online means of communication, but it has been nice to be at home in my room sipping coffee while speaking to my classmates over Zoom. Overall, I see the importance of distance learning and have personally changed my viewpoint on the subject. Before taking on a fulltime course load entirely online, I didn't think it could be done and be effective. But overall, my distance learning experience has been effective and I have learned perhaps just as much as I might have in a classroom face to face with my professor and classmates.
I completely agree with you, but would add that my main reservations when it comes to distance learning are about communication, accountability, and engagement. In group distance learning, there is greater anonymity, which may reduce the sense of urgency that students normally feel to comply with tasks or pay close attention. By the same token, the teacher is not able to monitor each member of the class as well, so that teacher may miss usual opportunities to address individual students' behaviors or needs. It is still possible to make individual contact through office hours or through an email, but that is supplementary, and might not have originally been necessary if the class had taken place in person. Additionally, presenting materials to students through their screens limits teachers to a more narrow range of options than they might have access to in a classroom. For instance, having a student complete an example on the board during class does not appear to have a direct substitute in a group electronic setting, based on my online course load.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I agree that the fact that we have this option in the first place is wonderful from the perspective of students for whom this might have been the only option. It also comes with conveniences like elimination of a commute. I think it's missing something, however, and isn't a full substitute for live, in-person classes.
I completely agree with your viewpoint.I do feel like sometimes getting a point across or trying to figure out a confusing topic is harder over email or zoom. I see the importance in face to face learning as well.
ReplyDeleteI think it is going to take a lot of work before distance learning will ever equate to learning in a classroom in person. I personally have struggled with it these past few months, and I know others have as well. I worry about students receiving specialized education and how not being in a classroom will affect their learning.
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