Saturday, January 27, 2007

Reflecting on Distance Learning

Well, I'm back at the blog. It's been quite awhile, judging by my last post. So why am I back? I'm taking a course on distance teaching and learning, and I need to post a reflection concerning the roles of distance learners within distance education. I thought, what better way to respond to the questions over distance learners than by using a distance learning tool? So I'm back on the blog, at least for the next couple of months. Sigh. I used to be so into blogging; I wonder what happened? Anyway, on with the reflection.
The question I am considering today concerns the just what the role of the distance learner is. As one who has both taught through some form of distance learning (though, alas, not so effectively, I think) and one who has been a distance education student, this is certainly an issue I have reflected upon quite a bit. I believe that the distance education learner has a variety of roles. These roles reflect the increased responsibility placed on the learner, and the unique relationship within the virtual classroom that arises between distance teacher and distance learner.
Certainly, one must recognize that the distance learner is first a learner. As a learner, this student must be willing to explore both new ideas and new technologies in order to succeed. For example, understanding how to post on community groups or create a running weblog might be the first things that must be learned for the student to succeed. In most cases, these students are willing learners. They would almost have to be, wouldn't they? It takes some effort, after all, in order to register for an online course. We should admit, however, that in cases such as the Florida Virtual School, the students may be less willing than we might like.
Building upon that role as learners, distance education students may also have to assume the role of director. In many cases, they mold their experience based on the flexibility of the course and their selection of assignments. For example, they choose what modules to watch, how to present an evaluative assignment, or even what questions to pose to the group.
Distance learners, one hopes, are responsible citizens in addition to being directors. In a distance course that may be far less structured and teacher-oriented than they may be used to, they have to assume a greater control over their own education. Being aware of their strengths and weaknesses and dealing with them is the first step to assuming that greater responsibility. For example, a learner who recognizes that perhaps procrastination may be a problem might develop a calendar that schedules time in advance for them to work on assignments. This responsible citizen must also be sure that whenever necessary, he or she initiates contact with the instructor; it is far more difficult for a distance instructor to see a struggling student. After all, it is not like the teacher can just see a confused face and say 'Do you need help?'
(:/ ) <--student teacher-->( ;-) ) Indeed, font faces just do not work as well!
Within their role as a responsible citizen, the distance learner must also be sure to develop a sense of understanding of others points of view, and ensure that their debate style takes into account the fact that one cannot usually get a sense of sarcasm or dark humor without also seeing facial expressions, which can lead to unfortunate complications in an online discussion. These can ruin the flow of a board and simply ruin the experience for both learner and instructor.
Another important role of the distance learner is teacher! Yes, I said teacher. Many times, particularly in a large class of experienced, diverse students, the distance lesson may wander into an area of expertise of a particular student. This expertise may broaden the discussion and provide perspectives or opportunities for further debate that the actual distance instructor may not have considered. While this may be true for traditional classroom education, I believe that it plays a larger role in the virtual world, especially if we consider that as research indicates, the population of the virtual classroom at the college level may be older, more experienced, and come from more diverse backgrounds and parts of the country.
Ultimately, the distance learner assumes a variety of roles that combine together to ensure a strong learning experience. Working within those roles, and in conjunction with their online classmates and their virtual instructor, distance learners shape and direct their learning in ways that go beyond the traditional classroom experience. In the end, one might argue that the roles of the learners also greatly influence the roles of the instructor, shaping their experience as well!

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Sunday, June 18, 2006

The Olde Towne Teams Meet Again

The Sox go for the sweep today against their former crosstown rivals, the Bost..err..Milwau..err..ATLANTA Braves. Curt Schilling goes for number 10 against John Smoltz. Let's go, Red Sox!

Evolution and the 'Godless'

PZ Meyers has a nice takedown of Coulter's evolution nonsense from her new book. Specifically, he does a nice job responding to her comment that there is 'no evidence' for evolution. This is the sort of thing that I have heard quite a bit, even as a history teacher discussing early man. The links that he provides will be useful!

What is Wrong With Public Schools Today

Via Pharyngula, we have this letter to a Principal about what a crappy leader he is. I would hate to be at this school. An excerpt:

First, there is a dangerous man in room 134.I have referred to him as Jackass, mostly, but you know who he is. I know that you are aware that he is tracking his female students menstrual cycles on a sheet of paper at his podium because I have told you this. I am certain that you know he also keeps a picture of a female student on his whiteboard and has been observed kissing it by students because, again, I have told you this. At Field Day recently he also laughed along side some male students as they stood behind a female teacher making comments like "This is the best view around!" and "Booty, booty, booty, booty, rockin' everywhere!" He has spit in the face of some male students, pushed a boy into the door, made fun of the accents of Hispanic students, and held votes as to whether students would be punished or made fun of. Again, I made you aware of each of these activities, though you've done nothing about it. I'm not sure how you sleep at night knowing you have allowed this man to be here for two years and are now planning to write him a "shining recommendation" though you aren't allowing him back here. It seems obvious that he is just going to go to another school and behave the same. It is people like you that make child abuse an easy crime to commit. You might want to deal with your issues concerning this.


Read the rest at 'First Year Teacher.' Disturbing.

Summer School in the 21st Century

When I moved from the great state of Massachusetts to Florida (or as I called it at the time, 'freaking Florida'), I was a senior in high school. Because 'Health' is apparently NOT equal to 'Life Management Skills,' I had to take a 6 week class in the summer where I actually, you know, TOOK 'Life Management Skills.'
Now, it's 14 years later (wow), and I am 'teaching' summer school. Summer school consists of 4 weeks, 4 hours a day, 4 days a week. During this time, I sit at a computer and they sit at the computer taking tests in whatever subject they failed. They cheat like crazy. I have done my best to minimize the cheating, but it is impossible to keep them from looking back the 'book' (which is a PDF file) when they take their tests. And they test in every subject: Math, English, Literature, American History, HEALTH!. It's all a joke. If they can take a class online in 4 weeks and test out of it, what the hell is the point of school? Am I wrong for 'supporting' it because I need the money?

Third Time is the Charm

Every summer I start blogging again, and every summer it dies. Let's see if this one lasts.