Week 3 Reflection

This week we talked about the roles of discourse, collaboration and technology tools in distance learning. It was an interesting discussion. After reading my peers blogs and comments, there was a large debate about if MOOC’s were actually worth while and increased learning. I do agree MOOC’s give others a chance to learn from one another in a free learning environment. Who say’s nothing is free?

We all came to an agreement that it’s important to have discourse and collaboration. Students are already growing up with the tools we are teaching. They are collaborating, debating, communicating and sharing resources with each other all the time. Students do this in school and when they’re outside of the school environment. Mia, had a spot on response to my blog this week, she said, “by the time your students you have this year enter the workforce, the technologies we use today won't be as efficient any longer! What we can do is not teach to the tech tools but teach the creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaborative learning skills they will need no matter what the tools are in 2032!!!” This was so eye opening to me.

            My school recently received mobile laptops for students to use in the classroom. Yes, this is huge to have in a school, but is it relevant? Shouldn’t we be using Ipads, tablets or even a way for students to use their iPhones in class? It doesn’t matter what the tool is, the education system will always be behind. We will always have the tools later to use with our students after they have mastered them. If we explain how to problem solve and think critically with any tool they get access too, we will set our students up to be successful.

            With online courses to be successful, the teacher needs to be the mediator. It’s important for students to share resources, converse and build their knowledge off from one another. When we listen to lectures, students tend to tune out their instructor. I know from experience, in a 3 hour “sitting” class, I barely comprehended the topic from the class. In a 3 hour, intellectual conversation, hands on online course, I can almost comprehend every single moment from the class. This is my way of learning, some others are more auditory and the lecture halls work better for them. This generation of students, is more designed for collaborating, discourse and using technology tools to learn.

            In my future online course, I will have a student be the mediator, run the meeting and provide collaboration, discourse and multiple technology tools to use and learn throughout the course.