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Attributes of Online Education. Thomas J. Descoteaux & Jared Reigstad Norwich University. Attributes of Online Education Disadvantages. Better suited to adult learners: The independence of online education requires a discipline that many of today’s “traditional age” college students lack .
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Attributes of Online Education Thomas J. Descoteaux & Jared Reigstad Norwich University
Attributes of Online EducationDisadvantages • Better suited to adult learners: • The independence of online education requires a discipline that many of today’s “traditional age” college students lack. • Synergy of F2F conversations more difficult to achieve: • Lacks benefit of facial expression, body language, voice inflection, etc. • Instructor/student before and after class moments missing. • Student/student “snack bar chat” missing. • Lack of in-class “storytelling” or experience sharing time. Can be done online but more difficult.
Attributes of Online EducationAdvantages • Location independent – students can engage from anywhere they have Internet access. No need to pull up roots and relocate. • Computer provides capabilities that traditional delivery cannot: • For decades traditional chalk-on-board instruction has attempted to model dynamic, three-dimensional systems on a static, two-dimensional surface (i.e., the blackboard). The computer solves this problem. • Allows smaller schools to provide access to a more diverse, eclectic group of faculty through use of adjuncts.
Attributes of Online EducationAdvantages • Quality control of course content: • No more throwing lectures together the night before. Pre-development of content improves quality. • Predevelopment allows instructor to focus on improving instruction/delivery techniques. • Consistent content across sections. • Difficult for introverted students to “hide in the back of the room.” Everyone’s in the front row.
Attributes of Online EducationAdvantages • Allows students more thought time before contributing to group interactions (i.e., “posting”). • Time efficient: • No lost commuting time. • Pace of learning can be accelerated. Strong students don’t waste time in class listening to instructor repeat topic for weaker students. • Students write a lot more.
Attributes of Online EducationAdvantages • Energy level – students choose when to learn (i.e., time of day), when they’re at their peak. • Seamless interjection of multi-media. Troubleshooting done in advance by IT staff.