Week 9: Reading 4

The role of the trainer is evolving as education moves from on-site to on-line delivery methods. Key in this evolution are trainers who are able to select appropriate tools for delivery; define measures to evaluate participation, retention, and success; and accommodate for learners encompassing many different cultures, expectations, and experiences at a global level.

Week 9: Reading 3

So many advances in technology and communications have been made since 1997. While a discrepancy still exists between those who are able to access the web and those who are not, the speed of access and price to obtain it is on a steady decline.

While the idea of distance learning granting a greater "access to learning" is genuinely beneficial -- it is not sufficient. The word "access" should not simply be applied to the learner who can't travel 3 hours to a training site. Printed words on a computer screen do not guarantee any greater access to learning for a student with cognitive disabilities, poor eyesight, or low-literacy skills. However, the integration of different kinds of media can stimulate learning to people of various abilities. Concentrating on engaging different kinds of learners online instead of lecturing from a book is a giant step for learner-centered education.

Week 9: Reading 2

The web is an excellent tool used to gather resources for teaching or to direct learners gathering and producing their own resources. While the web is a living resource (constantly evolving, updating, changing) where some of the newest ideas on a subject may be found, information gathered online is yet to be entirely trusted. This document lists excellent questions to ask when considering the validity and accuracy of an online resource.

It would be interesting to study the opinion of "web trustworthiness" based on generational experiences. For instance, is a child today better equipped to discern between accurate and inaccurate sites than a person first exposed to the web in early adulthood?

Week 9: Reading 1

Before the widespread use of the internet, distance learning consisted of correspondence courses by mail or media like audio, video, radio, or TV. As distance learning moves to a new stage, benefits of the previous media options combined with advantages of the internet can produce a more meaningful learning experience. A sense of community can be added to the distance learning environment as students and teachers can interact more fully in synchronous and asynchronous environments.

Drawbacks to online learning are availability of technological resources (i.e. computer, modems, software, etc.) and impact on preconceived ideas of classroom learning.

Week 8: Reading Two

I like the idea of ShareNet and advocating technology as a way to give the kids with less opportunity a leg-up in society (promoting equity). A child should not be punished or denied educational opportunities because he lives in a poor district, county or state. This is a blatant example of how America continues to divide its citizens into classes. Sure, persistance counts for a lot at the end of the day, but why should children be put at a disadvantage before they can even become "effective" members in society (i.e. legal, independent adults)?

Week 8: Reading One

Technology to Support Learning is a good argument for technology as a learning tool. It advocates specific uses of technology and gives benefits for the students using them. For instance, an interactive science module may simulate an actual event, provide a novice an opportunity to participate in higher-order events and thinking, and connect this same novice to a community of peers and experts. It's a method of situating learning in a technologically (computer) enhanced environment.

Amazingly, the tools that real experts use are becoming accessible to students through technology. Evolving technology is making tools more affordable, accessible, and widespread for those outside the expert group. Technology utilized well also provides a scaffolding to bridge the gap between novice and expert.

The idea that technology can connect and perhaps enhance community involvement is important. While opponents to technology will rally that technology degrades social interaction, technology used effectively can actually create and encourage a community that mirrors the physical meetings of peers. For instance, a person isolated in their field geographically (as a learner, novice or expert) may find an online, virtual community that supports their endeavors and research.