by Jan Schwartz
Thanks to Google Alerts, I found out that this week is National Distance Learning Week. Probably this time next year it will compete with National Healthcare Reform Week. But enough about what national week it could be next…
I was reading an article this morning about whether or not online learning is for everyone, and if not, then who might have the most chance of being successful? The answer is that it is probably not for everyone, but then classroom education isn’t for everyone either.
Anyway, I started thinking about whether or not any teacher could teach online. I think the answer is exactly the same–no, but then not every teacher can teach in the classroom either!
So before someone even tries to teach online there may be some questions they need to ask themselves first. Here are several:
1. How good are my computer skills? Can I at least communicate electronically (email, chat), put documents into saved files, create file folders, send saved files, do some simple research online using a couple of different browsers, download things from the web, and can I open a YouTube video or listen to a podcast. Those of you reading this can probably say yes to all of these. But, I ask because we did have one learner start our online teacher training course who asked, “What is Firefox?” Sorry, that person was not ready to take the course!
2. Is my technology up to date? In other words do I have a reasonably new computer (3 years old or less), do I update applications when prompted to do so (browser version, multi-media player, anti-virus, etc).
3. Is it critical that I have face-to-face interaction with my students in every class?
4. Do I have enough self-discipline and time management skills to be online for the necessary amount of time to give my students timely feedback?
5. What are my expectations about online teaching? Do I think it is easier and takes less time? Or do I think it is too complicated to be worth my time?
6. Am I willing to adjust my teaching style, if necessary, to make it work for online delivery?
So, what do you think?
Photo credit austrini
Last weekend I ended the presentation of my thesis work with a slide that announced The Beginning instead of The End. It was really an end and a beginning. I’ve reached the end of this degree process, which is the beginning of a new phase of my work life. It’s curious to me that I always know when the end happens, but I’m unsure about the beginning and when it actually begins. Do you always know when a new phase is beginning?
