This concept is one that I am very confused as to my own feelings on the issue. Are we moving in the correct direction with the model changing from teacher-to-learner to learner-to-learner? Is their not a reason we have an instructor as the head of the class? Wouldn’t there be a large amount of misinterpreted data being shared with the learner-to-learner model? I struggle to find the logical meaning in having students teach themselves and other students; as I think they miss a crucial aspect of the learning process; which, is someone who has experienced the field or studied it in great length, teaching those who have not. Isn’t the point of higher education to be an apprentice, and learn a field of study that will promote our careers in that field?
Don't take this the wrong way, I do understand that distance education students are and need to be "self directed" and I do believe that many courses are materials handed to students, and students decode what has been given to them; however, I think we need to make sure instructors guide discussions with (some room for non guided discussion), and not all non guided discussions. This may sound a little confusing and I hope this is not the case. It is important that there is someone that not only structures the course, but also guides the course (structured and not all flexible model).
The flexible approach has many benefits and I think the most important benefit is that it teaches the student to be more creative and autonomous in their own studies. However, I believe you can be an autonomous learner without having a free from structure course. The conclusion that I am drawing is that a healthy mix of flexible and structured learning is the most productive teaching model. One of the benefits of the flexible model is that it allows for more perspectives and a more in-depth conversation in the classroom. All in all, I do believe a professor or experienced instructor should head the class and guide the information flow in the direction in which was pre-set to the start of the course.
References
Bates & Poole, Chapter 7, "Approaches to the Design of Technology-Based Learning," pp. 153-179
The development of online courses. In T. Anderson. & F. Elloumi (Eds.), Theory and practice of online learning (Second Edition). Retrieved July 29, 2008, from http://cde.athabascau.ca/online_book/second_edition.html.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I agree that instructors are important for all classes so that the discussion is, at the very least, guided and error-checked. Without an instructor to moderate a discussion a student may interpret another student's post incorrectly, then go on to use that idea or information in another class, therefore spreading it to more students to become a big long "telephone game" mess. If the instructors properly moderate their classes they can make sure incorrect ideas or interpretations are not spread and guide the discussion in a way which is best for the students and to learn the information.
ReplyDelete