There are any number of built in differences between online learning and face-2-face learning including nondirect teacher-student interaction and student-student interaction and presentation of material. One of the major differences I've seen as an online student at San Jose that differs from my face-to-face previous experiences with learning is in assessment. I actually think that in the best scenarios, online learning leads to more in-depth feedback - both from the instructor to the student, and in the student's own self-evaluation. I'm not sure what the "scientific" reason for this is, or even if it's more just been my own personal experience, but perhaps because it's one of the few ways that I get to directly interact with my professor (and vice versa) I find the feedback that I receive from online instructors on my work to be more in-depth and organized around assessment principles. By requiring students to submit their thoughts once a week, and reply to each other's work (which is the case with most online courses I've taken), as an individual I'm forced to think about what I've learned and reflect on it on a regular basis, and as a peer, I'm engaging with my fellow students on their thoughts. This doesn't necessarily happen in a 100-person lecture, or even in a small 15-class seminar.
In addition, the lack of opportunities for traditional "sage on stage" lecturing techniques means that online learning tends to be more constructivist which I feel lends itself to more opportunities to self-evaluate and ponder what we learn, rather than just take in knowledge.
As an online student, I often miss the camaraderie of a physical classroom that develops between teachers and students and between students and students. But on the whole, I've found the online experience to be rewarding as it requires me to have more ownership of my education, which ultimately allows me personally to take in and apply knowledge more.
In what ways would you say the feedback is more in-depth? Do you mean on your actual assignments or in the forums/blogs? I've found in this class especially that the instructor replies to many of the blog and forum posts, although it hasn't been my experience in some of my other online courses. (There they just spoke up if their input was needed.) On my papers, however, I find I get around the same amount of feedback as I did while studying at a physical campus.
ReplyDelete-Kristin
I find I get more feedback on my papers actually at San Jose State - although there are certainly professors who don't do this. But when a professor is interested in maintaining some relationship with his/her students - it seems to often come out in the feedback which becomes somewhat more personalized then what I've generally received from professors at physical campuses.
ReplyDeleteThis feedback conversation is interesting. I know I try to give detailed feedback early on in order to establish expectations but that tends to lessen as we go along. I do like reading and commenting on the blogs - it is both informative in terms of this semester but it also gives me food for thought for future classes.
ReplyDeleteHi Maryanne,
ReplyDeleteI think the online discussions we have in most classes are more thoughtful and offer the chance for reflection. With access to the discussion forum twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, students can participate whenever they have the time and usually at their own pace. Students have time to read each other's contributions and to think carefully about their own contributions. Messages can be composed and revised as needed and this writing may encourage discipline in thinking and communicating.