Example:Last semester, an online course is introduced to one of my module. On that evening, students do not need to attend the assigned classroom as before, instead, they can stay at any place they like. The only thing in need is laptop connected to the Internet. The course began and students were required to sign in the moodle. Then discussion on a certain topic was held in goolge docs and a group presentation was also held online with Voice Thread.In general, ICT used in this course was not complex and the instructions were clear to us. The only problem was that there were a clash in google docs since 30 students and a teacher were typing and posting their opinions at the same time, which negatively influenced the effects of the course.
Impact on practice:Although the results of the online course is not that satisfactory because of technical problems of google docs, I still consider it as a great attempt for studnets' location are no longer a problem. For example, one of my classmates is a mother and she is always busy taking care of her little baby. In this case, she can stay at home and study online. If there are improvements of the design of the course, such as leading students to discuss in small groups with 4 or 5 rather than talking on the same page together, the effects will be better.
Online learning course is a good example. However, it seems the main problem on your example should be the network traffic limitation, hardware problem or googledoc physical problem when around 30 students and a teacher access the system simultaneously! But I think technology can overcome and fix this problem eventually.
ReplyDeleteBut I think the impact should be positive. Because online learning can let the student 'learn' in everytime and everywhere. People can easy to control their timing schedule.
Sure, online learning is an example. As suggested by Rayson about cloud computing, I think online learning is another application of "cloud computing".
ReplyDeleteThis certainly gives positive impact on learning - students can learn anytime and anywhere. Another positive impact I can think of is that, materials are put online (instead of just in one's computer). This also facilitate collaboration among students in the class.
Yet, there could be a negative impact as well. If students are not motivated enough, their learning progress could be affected without the direct supervision from teachers. Perhaps it is a reason why online learning is not that popular in secondary school although the technology has become more mature nowadays.
It is a good example of an attempt being made to innovate, but as there were problems maybe it wasn't well thought out or planned?
ReplyDeleteWas this an HKU course? I hope not!
You say that there were negative effects by the problems with Google Docs. But the 30 students on that course, if it was HKU, between them paid around $35,000 for that session - hardly value for money.
Too often "online learning" is the name given to a poorly thought out session often as a result of mis-management of the course. This certainly happened to me last term when a lecture was cancelled because it clashed with a conference. We were subjected to an online session (for which we each paid over $1300) that involved the lecturer putting three or four tasks on moodle - not collaborative, not innovative, just a sheer waste of time and effort.
We need to do SO much better with innovation and online learning.
It is a course given in HKU in MITE. Obviously, both the design the technology made use of is not that satisfactory since it is only an attempt of this form of learning.
ReplyDeleteThe negative effects are similar with what stated by Ken and Din. Students are feel depressed on the experience. Fortunately, we are students majored in MITE, so we did have a lively discussion after class, besides complains, there were also lots of suggestions on how to improve the quality of certain courses. But I agree with Din, since we have paid $1300 to the university, it is not we who should be responsible for the failure of the attempt of courses.
Online learning should be more flexible on time. The student can attend their own 'online course' anytime. They can avoid access the online system simultaneously. Moreover, 30 students just a small group of user, the LMS like Moodle can accept more than this capacity generally.
ReplyDeleteThen I agree that the motivation of student is a critical point to determine the usage-amount of the system.