Blog Assignment:
Read Nick Sauers blog post Teachers v. Technology. What are your thoughts? Whose side of the spectrum are you on, Nick Sauers' or Tim Walker's? Why?
My Reaction:
My initial reaction was to immediately side with Tim Walker. With all this pushing of technology into the educational system and classrooms, I sometimes feel like the need for teachers is slowly diminishing. However, Nick Sauers made some very valid points in technology's defense. He states "It is certainly possible that online courses could eventually eliminate some teaching positions, but even in those cases, there is still a teacher. In actuality, a school may replace a face-to-face teacher with an online teacher." I never looked at it from this point. I still believe though that children need to have that face-to-face interaction and teaching. I think it is extremely important for instruction and interaction. I believe student's need to have that outlet for their growth and maturity. However, I do not agree with Sauers' statement that "On average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction." According to him, that was based on information from a report for the Department of Education, but I do not for one second believe that to be true. I have personally taken online classes and struggled to stay afloat because you're pretty much teaching yourself. I'm not saying it isn't possible and won't work, I'm just not at all alright with the idea of schools converting to online classes.
Hello Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI really like your choice for this project. In some ways I agree with your opinion of on-line classes. I have often felt that they pale in comparison to actual classes here at South. However, I think they are a great option they allow students great amounts of flexibility. They also encourage self motivation and give students greater control of their education. Just like in the physical classroom the effectiveness of the on-line classroom is, to some degree, dependent upon the teacher. Although we rarely meet I don't think of EDM as an on-line class. I feel we have a strong learning community in EDM, the lack of which is my main problem with most on-line classes offered at the university. I guess my point is that while it is possible to have very effective, engaging on-line classes it is not the right fit for everyone.
-Megan