Subject: discussiontask6
Author: B
At the University of the South Pacific (USP) we have a blended approach to delivering distance learning material that is both print, online and audio-video conferencing and other multimedia are used to deliver a course. It used to be only print and audio-conferencing. I am not sure with the advent of e-Learning if the item to be discussed has been forgotten, but I could say less significant as I draw on some experiences:
1.Personal teacher-student and student-student interactions
1.Personal teacher-student and student-student interactions
E-learning can be quite convenient for both teacher and learner, since with the blended mode at USP, audio- conference tutorials were synchronous making it only convenient to distance learners that were free at the scheduled time. However, I remember before e-learning students did feel some connection with their lecturer during audio-conferencing tutorials (which also depended on how pleasant they sounded). Students were able to interact and get feedback on their assignments and interact with other students in the audio-conference room in their regional centre. It allowed them to get to know other students in their country.
I think online learning and discussions can be very impersonal with limited contact and interaction with the lecturer and other students which may seem somewhat shallow or forced. I had experienced through queries from several distance learning students that were wandering about their lecturer, since they had not heard from them for a while even though the web page was open. The lecturer concerned thought that students would be more interested in getting to know each other and left them to learn and collaborate on their own. This seemed to be more convenient for the lecturer.
Though discussions can be asynchronous sometimes the momentum of a discussion can be lost if one is lagging behind. Though, I understand that the course lecturer may have developed the learning material online, to get to know their students and getting them to interact online is very important. I think e-learning can encourage greater personal interaction by having an ice-breaker to get students to know each other, as well as a discussion board for socializing online. Self-learning can be convenient for both teacher and student but I think lecturers do need to be a bit more active in monitoring progress of students to ensure that there is nothing wrong and that they are in control and to get to know their students.
Also greater collaboration for students to engage in group projects that need to be carefully planned out by the lecturer.