Personal, most of my schooling has been in the online environment. However, I can’t say that I totally agree with this statement. There are some things you’re unable to learn online. For example, becoming a Physical Therapy Assistant. You’re able to take your initial/basic classes online but your labs and extern/intern classes will have to be completed in a face to face environment.
Angela,
It is growing, however, and will continue to grow. Another area of growth is hybrid, blended and flipped classrooms that try to combine the best of the online learning environment with traditional classrooms. We will continue to see these types of classrooms in the very near future.
Herbert Brown III
Nicole,
I would agree that the skills courses can be the hardest. However, I have seen successful blended environments that allow the students to complete all of the core content through online classes and provide lab, or OJT types of experiences for the hands on components. You could also do internships, field rotations (like the medical field and teaching) and others.
Herbert Brown III
As an instructor in both venues I say No and disagree. I believe the traditional classroom will always be necessary for those with a learning style that is not conducive to e-learning. Some students need the face to face daily interaction in order to thrive and succeed. I have also found that my students with learning disabilities do not do well with the online classroom.
Matthew,
It is interesting to hear your students with learning disabilities do not do well. Do you think that is due to the nature of the delivery of the content and it could be remedied if you changed the course design?
Herbert Brown III
That is an interesting question. I think both will continue to exist because, frankly, one size does not fit all.
Online courses worked well for me in obtaining my Masters. My husband was fresh in Higher Education, and we moved about several times. I liked the convenience of taking it with me where I went.
Short answer is no. Going completely with online learning, which might make the most economic sense, is not practical for the instructor or students. There are still tangible benefits of having that face-to-face interaction between the instructor and student. A more likely scenario is that all future courses will be a blended or hybrid experience. To reduce the time in the classroom, courses could offer the initial portion of the course online in which students review and discuss the course material. There could be a traditional classroom portion where group projects (breakout sessions) could be accomplished and presented in front of the whole class. This would allow the students to demonstrate their grasp of key concepts. The course assessment could still be conducted online.
Peter,
The research base would also suggest that while online courses enrollments and programs as still growing, blended and hybrid environments are also growing as instructors see the general benefits of online learning tools and methods.
Herbert Brown III
I think that this statement may be better worded as; online learning will become an integrated part of the traditional educational model. Our society is technology based in almost every area. I think the push for online learning from an institutions standpoint is based on the budget and the cost effectiveness of the online classes. From a students perspective the flexibility and the independent learning is a huge motivator. However, there are still some students who will need and want the traditional classroom. Also, there are certain programs that the information can not be given online such as labs etc.
In the k-12 world I know that a lot of the summer school courses are now online and that online classes are an option for students. There are even institutions that are providing free public education online that do transfer to a college upon graduation.
I agree that both are here to stay and this will benefit all students. I see the younger generations wanting the online route heck they have been raised on technology that is all they know
Valaire,
For many of the reasons you describe hybrid and blended learning environments that blend the online learning and traditional learning environments are growing rapidly.
Herbert Brown III
I disagree with online learning to replace traditional classrooms. There must be a balance of on-line learning and traditional classrooms. Both benefit from each other.
No, I don't think it will ever completely replace the traditional classroom delivery. While it is true that online teaching is growing in acceptance and use, I believe there will always be a place for the traditional classroom setting.
Students, especially those at a young age, need the actual presence of their instructor. They need the warmth and personal mentoring that accompanies immediacy.
Some classes are better delivered in an on campus delivery system. Lab classes and others that require tools, devices etc., are still probably better managed in an actual class.
I teach both online and on campus classes. I like both and think that both offer opportunities for learning. Some students prefer one method over the other. That is fine. I don't think anyone should be forced to learn in a manner that is not compatible with their preferences. Both teaching options should be available and optional.
I don’t think online learning will ever totally replace classroom learning as some areas of study (ex: chemistry, biology) require a more hands-on, classroom instructor. However I feel that most fields of study (business, computers, history, etc.) will eventually be mostly online learning instead of classroom learning. For one it is extremely more cost effective and every school is first and foremost a business. I think online delivery and techniques will continue to get better.
In my opinion online learning will never replace traditional classroom delivery. Not because people cannot be taught at the same level online, but due to the need for human interaction. One of the joys of learning is experiencing the learning with others.
Diane-You are absolutley correct, as I've had students tell me that they will not attend college if they don't have the option of having face-to-face interaction with their professors. Actually, I was one of those students, and I can remember how important that was to me when obtaining my degrees.
I do not believe that online learning will completely replace face to face learning environments. We still need to consider learning preferences and accommodations for students with specific learning needs, all of which can not be managed and addressed using just one approach to education.
I disagree that it will COMPLETELY replace it. Although, I do think we are entering times where education is going to need to become more flexible to the student's demands as opposed to the student becoming more flexible to the college's demands. I believe the trend will begin moving to very focused, detailed, and time-shortened education, which traditional face-to-face education has yet to embrace.
Fantastic debate. I have taught onground for 9 years and online for 5 years. I love both. I have also utilized the Blended model. We had a snowstorm in Atlanta some time ago and I was teaching at the Atlanta campus. We had a 'Snow Day' but had to make up for the Snow Day. So I did a Blended model which my students and I so much enjoyed that they were asking for more Blended assignments like those.
So for emergencies, transportation, geographic flexibilities, professional and family demands will drive and force especially the younger generation to continue to gear towards Online or Blended Learning. I did both my Masters and
Doctorate online while traveling between China, Europe, Africa and the United States. I think the Future will tell.
