Long-distance learning

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dennis O'Connor on November 5, 2007 at 6:21pm

I've been teaching online since 1999. I took my first online class in 1995.

I've earned two masters degrees online. My first was in Online Teaching and Learning. My second masters is in Instructional design.

I am completely spoiled by e-learning. I can't tolerate waiting through a traditional lecture for the 15 minutes of content I want to learn about. I've come to expect information on demand delivered in an attentive constructivist environment. That's what I give my students. That's what I expect as a learner.

The traditional disadvantage most often mentioned in e-learning is the lack of visual cues... you can't see the other person's face or hear the tone in their voice. For weaker writers this presents a barrier. For those who can project some voice, online learning is home.

I currently direct the E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate Program at the ... I specialize in teaching teachers how to teach online Moodle as well as D2L.

For seasoned teacher, online work is the perfect extra job or retirement job. There's a huge need for trained online teaching staff at the High School, Community College, and University level. If you've ever had a really bad online class, I'd bet the tuition you had an untrained teacher.

I"m happy to answer questions on this topic. I've also created a Group here called E-Learning and Online Teaching... and you['re free to join!

Dennis O'Connor

Permalink Reply by Soultravelers3 on March 4, 2008 at 4:18am

I am new here and not a teacher, but we have had a very good experience using online learning with my daughter and plan to use more. We are 19 months into an open ended trip around the world, so we had to find solutions to some challenges like how to continue her musical education because she is quite talented in that area and plays both piano and violin. We found a wonderful piano teacher who teaches all over the world using skype from his home in Chicago. My daughter has great passion for Greek myths, archeology & Homer, even though she just turned 7, and we have found a wonderful distance learning educational opportunity in that area ( which does not age discriminate) which has been another awesome fine.

We can not always get internet connection, when we are in our moving phase, so that is one disadvantage for us as well as the time differences, but we have found ways around that. We are looking forward to finding more opportunities in this area.

Permalink Reply by Marie on April 20, 2008 at 6:27pm

I agree with the comments made by Dennis. I think online learning is a great facility for adults as they are self-directed learners. I have also completed my degree online and could not have done it otherwise, with the demands of family and work. Not having to travel, plus being able to study time-wise when available are advantages. Also, for different learners they can adapt the delivery to suit their learning style (eg a visual learner doesn't have to sit through auditory learning, listening to lectures).

For younger learners it requires a greater discipline and an environment that involves group work. I haven't seen online learning really come to the forefront for this cohort of learners. Most of my experiences with distance learning for school students is still very much paper-based. That is not to say that there are not excellent programs available, just I haven't seen them (if anyone has any examples, I'd love to hear/see them). With so many tools available for learning, I'd love to see them incorporated more in online learning, for example, video presentations, use of collaborative tools etc.

Marie

Permalink Reply by Dennis O'Connor on April 20, 2008 at 11:02pm

Marie,

Virtual High School is really taking off. The ability to create a vital and engaging VHS experience takes a great deal of energy and craft. For many online learning platforms are a convenient way to store documents, serve homework and manage tests. It's a start, but there is so much more to be done.

Two organizations are heading up the charge to create quality online instruction: Nacol (The North American Council for Online Learning) http://www.nacol.org/ is a great place to learn about what's going on in VHS.

The other place to start is VHS (The Original Virtual High School) http://www.govhs.org/Pages/Welcome-Home

I'm working with Virtual School Teachers on a regular basis. Like all teaching, those with the vision and passion succeed.... one student at a time!

Dennis

Permalink Reply by Marie on April 21, 2008 at 6:12pm

Hi Dennis,

Thanks for the link. I couldn't get into the demo lessons at VHS (need a password). I'd also like to see what subjects are covered and curriculum content. Are you familiar with the site? I'd like to see what they offer for a high school program. I guess I can contact the site for info.

Marie

Permalink Reply by Dennis O'Connor on April 21, 2008 at 8:04pm

Marie, I'm not that familiar with the site. I've known about VHS for years and recently was in a NACOL webinar with Liz Pape, the CEO of VHS. You might drop here an email and see what she has to say: LPape@goVHS.org

Dennis

Permalink Reply by Durff on October 8, 2008 at 3:04pm

Intriguing. I am teaching online to a handful of homeschool students who take computer through our school. They have the same assignments the onsite students have-they just do them at home. I 'converse' with them via IM and hope to include them in ustreams or flashmeetings in the future. I work with pre-high schoolers.
When I have taken online courses, I have always wished for a synchronous portion in addition to the asynchronous. I aim to include that when my online students are ready. For now, having me accessible when they are via IM has been sufficient.

Permalink Reply by Dennis O'Connor on October 8, 2008 at 6:49pm

Have you thought of phone conferencing with Skype? They even have a free video phone feature. I've also heard of elementary students using Illuminate to attend synchronous webinars with their online teachers. I believe this is being done by the Ohio Virtual Academy. Consider Dim Dim and open source synchronous conferencing system as well. One way or the other a richer synchronous experience can be created without great cost.

Den