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This week, I read an article from Tech and Learning Magazine that outlines four different measures that need to be taken in order for online learning to work. The first measure suggests that Educators at every level should move forward with the development of online-based curricula and supporting digital content. Measure two indicates that policy makers should review accreditation rules, teacher licensing requirements, copyright law, and other regulations that would unintentionally undermine online access to educational content. Measure three requests that broadband connectivity be expanded throughout the United States. Finally, measure four recommends that technology experts and policy makers explore measures to create a universal broadband support fund, to enable deployment and adoption of broadband in high-cost areas.
I completely agree with these measures and believe that they would be a continuing benefit to people everywhere young and old throughout the United States. The more access and exposure that we have to online learning opportunities, the more excitement their will be for learning and improvement of people everywhere.
In addition to these measures, I also believe that evaluative measures need to be taken for quality control of the content delivered online. I am a firm believer that quantity doesn't necessarily ensure quality as I have seen this in my own profession. It is one thing to create and provide online learning content to the masses, but it is a completely different matter to ensure that the content will be an effective medium for learning. The better the online content, the more likely people are to get on board with it.
I am excited about the future prospects of online learning and I believe it is going to continue to evolve into something greater and more useful to students of all ages!
U.S. Distance Learning Association (USDLA). "Can Online Learning Work?" Tech and Learning 31.7 (2011): 10. Print.
I think all four measures are great also. However, I am a relatively young teacher. My perspective is a result of different experiences than other teachers. I know of many experienced teachers who have nothing to do with technology and they are some of the best teachers. I believe that as initiatives and measures are passed, they should be brought in with the next generation, the next group of college graduates for example. If a great teacher is doing a great job already, then I say let him continue to do a great job.
ReplyDeleteI have read an article dealing with the quality of distance education by A Stella and A Gnanam. In it they said that even though at one time distance education was considered substandard, there are many organizations such as the Institute of Higher Education Policy of USA and the Council of Higher Education Accreditation are working to create standards, guidelines, principles and benchmarks to ensure the quality of distance education.
ReplyDeleteThey concluded with the emergence of the new forms of education has changed the nature of distance learning and consequently the quality assessment mechanisms. The new forms of education that deviate markedly from what has been practiced in traditional setting for a long time poses challenges to the conventional ways of quality assurance. The solution lies in pooling the knowledge and resources together to identify better ways of assessing distance education, without loosing sight of its distinct characteristics.