Power of Virtual Communities
The Times articles talk about Web 2.0 tools. Educators who teach in the online environment need to be aware of all of the tools as well as the positives and negatives of each one of them. Awareness of technology allows an instructor to design engaging content. Educators have to use technology wisely. Using tools for the sake of using technology without sound pedagogy is probably not a good way to master content and frustrating to students. Keeping up with tools is a part of being an effective online instructor.
Everyone is an Expert?
I don't know that reading things on the Internet can ever be a substitute for actual experience. The Internet can be a great way to stay informed and to engage and support education.
What will Education Look Like in the Future?
I think education will continue to evolve with more flexibility in how and when courses are offered. Blended courses are becoming more popular. Colleges are working on rolling start and end dates, Students will be expected to be more active in the pursuit of knowledge. Assessment is going more towards portfolio and competency based assessment rather than traditional exams at regular intervals.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Responses to Week 2 Blogs
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Jennifer wrote "Awareness of technology allows an instructor to design engaging content. Educators have to use technology wisely. Using tools for the sake of using technology without sound pedagogy is probably not a good way to master content and frustrating to students."
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. The history of the PC in classroom is a perfect example. Schools rushed to put PC's in classrooms, but without any purposeful or educational applications, no education for the teachers on how to use them, and no IT support to deal with the regular problems that computer users encounter. There are still very few classes that leverage the power of the PC as a part of learning. Some teachers may have a PC to receive/send e-mail, do online attendance and grading, but that's pretty much it.
I'm in an unusual situation where my company is building a new training center equipped with the latest technologies money can buy, and now it's up to me to figure out the best ways to leverage that technology from a pedagogical standpoint.
When learners and teachers struggle with a technology, it can quickly end up on the trash pile of other "well intentioned" learning products.