Online Learning

Online learning has become increasingly popular.  What once was used as a way to provide distance education at the post-secondary level is now also being used at both the elementary and secondary levels.  I have taken several online courses and trainings over the past 9 years while earning graduate degrees and completing professional development trainings.  As one would expect, I have had varying experiences with these types of courses.

Like most anything else in life, there are pros and cons to online learning.  The benefits to online learning includes flexibility—work on your time whenever you can and wherever you are.  Online courses allow those with full-time jobs and/or families to earn a degree without affecting their existing schedule.  Well, at least not too much. 

One of the best experiences I have had with online learning had a great deal to do with the instructional design.  Moore and Kearsley (2011) state that online course designers should explain what is expected of their students in such a way that students will not only know the objectives of the course, but also how they should demonstrate their learning throughout every module, unit, lesson, and activity of the course.  The best experience(s) I have had with online learning did just that.  I was presented with an overview of the course, then an overview of the module, followed by individual explanations of each assignment.  One course even went as far as to provide step-by-step instructions of what needed to be done in order to complete each module.  This course was my favorite!  I love lists because I like to check things off as they are completed.  I guess that is the visual learner in me.

While most of my online learning experiences have been pleasant, not all have been ideal.  One class in particular comes to mind.  Moore and Kearsley (2011) state that in order to be able to construct an online learning program, you must begin with creating objectives and evaluations, which cannot be done unless one knows what they are actually trying to teach.  The instructor of my less than ideal class was obviously not familiar with the course.  The instructions for some of the assignments were not clear, and many of us needed clarification on numerous occasions.  The main issue was not that there were multiple misunderstandings, but that the instructor did not understand either—she gave one set of directions, and then changed them after the due date!  And when several people were late turning in one assignment, she sent out a mass email to the class stating that many had not turned in the assignment on time.  Needless to say, this caused some hard feelings because the assignment was turned in based on the instructor’s prior “clarification” of the assignment directions, and they were embarrassed by her “scolding”.

Designing Online Learning Interview        

Educators must keep in mind that online learning requires instructors to be encouraging and supportive of learners who are at varying levels of self-directedness (Moore & Kearsley, 2011).  Overall, I am happy to say that my experiences with online classes have been very pleasant.  I love the flexibility of online learning.  I thoroughly enjoy being able to work at my own pace!  When signing up for classes or trainings, my first choice is typically online learning.

Reference:

Moore, M. G., & Kearsley, G. (2012).  Distance education: A systems view of online 

           learning.  United States: Wadsworth, Cenage Learning.