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Online teaching vs. F2F teaching

This is more of a comment on my thoughts regarding what I have learned so far in the Online teaching courses and from doing the emergency "Remote teaching" that has been placed on us (community college instructors) as of Spring 2020.  I am one of probably many who have been thrown into the online teaching due to the Covid-19 pandemic that has gripped this nation and everyone around the world.  I have experienced a number of issues/problems which I and many others had to navigate through.  Issues/problems such as of the following: 

  • Campus Distractions (not only in my home but at the student homes-crying childeren, barking dogs in the background, even chickens at times all of which makes for interesting background noise not to mention increase dependance on campus IT personnel to help if there are LMS problems.)
  • Self-Discipline Essential (If online teaching is going to work one must have self-discipline and be self orgainized with the proper tools to do so.  I feel if someone is at school they can focus without interruption from others in the household or work) 
  • Technological Reliance (Relying on someone else to troubleshoot or problem solve an issue real time to make your course function is not what we signed up for and thus makes for an experience that is diminished for students.  Some CTE lab courses cannot be taught online since some course require hands on learning.  No employer is going to hire someone who cannot show they have hands on learning or the skills to match.)
  • Conflicts in Learning Style (Typically in F2F an instructor can adjust to different learning styles as the course progresses to help students along however in online learning I have found this to be a challenge especially if the student does not possess a desire to be there.  Sometimes students need the interaction of the instructor to coach them along when working on a hands on project in a lab.)
  • Diminished Social Aspects (As mentioned before some students thrive on one to one contact with others and the instructor to learn a subject.  Although online teaching can provide this some extent I find that it is not the same and certainly does not pack the same punch as F2F interaction)   

All in all we have survived and have found worth in doing certain things online versus the traditional way.  With that said we still have a long ways to go before we replace F2F for vocational and CTE courses that have critical lab components in them.

 

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