Comments on: 3 Biggest Myths about Teaching Online Education

By: certificates in fitness

certificates in fitness — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 04:54:34 +0000

Fantastic site you have here but I was curious
if you knew of any user discussion forums that cover the same topics talked about here?

I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get comments from other experienced people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thank you!

By: Chenee Marie

Chenee Marie — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 07:06:43 +0000

Hi ,

I’m an avid subscriber of your blog and I thought you might like this piece about ” 30 Myths About eLearning that Need to Die in 2013″. You can find it here: [ http://newsroom.opencolleges.edu.au/features/30-myths-about-elearning-that-need-to-die-in-2013/%5D.

Thanks.

—
Chenee Marie
https://twitter.com/cheneemarie08
http://about.me/marietot08/

By: Qualification

Qualification — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 07:55:13 +0000

It is imperative that you are aware of who is your trainer and whether you are going to achieve your training goals based on their teaching style and personality. Thanks for the post.

By: CoursesOnline

CoursesOnline — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:34:08 +0000

Between the years 1997 and 2009, I worked for one of Australia’s largest TAFE institutes. The Institute Director set forth a plan that within 10 years, 30% of the Institutes courses would be delivered online. Staff were given training in the use of the Learning Management System “Blackboard” and encouraged to develop at least one unit for online delivery. One of the major problems was the average age of teachers (around 52) and therefore the relative illiteracy in all things to do with computers. By the end of the period, there were some successes as younger teachers replaced older teachers.
As a teacher regarded as having excellent technology skills, my own personal attempts to develop materials seemed to others to be wonderful and exciting. But in reality, the materials developed were no more than converted classroom materials with just a few extras such as online quizzes thrown in. However, these days online courses can be far more engaging and can appeal particularly to the younger generation who are glued to their computers and mobile phones night and day.
Software such as Camtasia enables the teacher to capture anything on a computer screen, record a voice over and turn it into a video presentation. The teacher can capture and move rapidly between PowerPoints, web pages, documents, illustrations, photos and all manner of visual instructional material and create excellent video productions. It is really quite easy.
I agree with Lisa’s statement of the three myths. There is a lot of work involved but the beauty is that once it is created, it becomes a wonderful digital asset.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 12:08:36 +0000

I have to say that I have trained both Live and Online classes in my 12 years and found the Online training MUCH more difficult. Myths 1 and 2 are just that myths. Even though I could train a 4 hour live class in just 2 hours online, that was simply because of the lack of participation. Which turns me to myth 3. It is not a myth but a fact, participation WILL be lower. Those shy people will still see their name on screen and hear you (the trainer) address them by name (a must if you are going to maintain any participation at all) and remain shy. The language disadvantaged will now be further disadvantaged by having to rely solely on their language skills to understand the message in class.
What I think is missed here is that the trainer must work harder in Online classes than in live classes. Start with facts:
– Nearly 70% of human communication is done through visual interpretation the speaker. That is completely lost (unless you are training via video conference) in online training.
– The trainer is in competition with the participants Phones, email, coworkers, and bosses who can and will interrupt them for “business” needs.
– Attention spans on an online class last a maximum of 1.5 to 2 hours. This leaves much less time for practice and repetition which is how we as trainers make sure they “get it”.
To support Angelita on myth 2, 4 hours of training online (if done well) is similar in effort to an 8 hour live class. This is because the trainer must be extremely actively in attempting to engage the participants due to the competition I mentioned above. Likewise, there is no control available to the trainer in an online class. There is a constant effort to recognize what is “happening” with the participants. Are they typing, ruffling through papers, speaking to someone else, on the cell phone (it makes a unique noise over the computer) etc…
My point to all of this is simple. I have more respect for the online trainer’s energy and commitment because it is necessary. I know from being there. Best wishes to those that perform this daunting task.

By: Taruna Goel

Taruna Goel — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 03:32:54 +0000

You have shared good food for thought Angelita!
I have been an online instructor for a short time and had many learnings from my own experience.
I have captured some of my views in my related post here – http://tarunagoel.blogspot.com/2010/02/online-success-recipe-for-learners-and.html
I have found that facilitating online training is quite intensive on several factors:
1) the need for a good design that invokes learner engagement and participation
2) the use of appropriate technology in building and maintaining the learning experience
3) a solid dependence on the facilitator’s ability to connect with the participants, draw out their learning and experience, and share continuous feedback along the way
For new online facilitators, I recommend that you hear some ‘war-stories’ from the experienced folks..and I say this in a good way! And also try an online course yourself to really experience the difference. Whatever you miss or crave in your course, be sure to include it in the course you facilitate!

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 13:59:30 +0000

Teaching on line actually takes more time. 70% more to put it up on line. Emails take longer to write than answering a question verbally. Feedback is more in depth on daily assignments as it is our teachable moment. (I teach grade 9 online). Also, much of our time is eaten up with click time with the software and the need for record keeping far exceeds anything I did in face to face teaching. Sorry to bust your bubble but teaching is more labour intensive. After 15 years of teaching, I can walk into a classroom and numerous strategies I have in my head to conduct a lesson. I can’t do that online. Sorry to bust your bubble but teaching is more labour intensive. The idea that it is a cost savings is true if you download the time/cost onto the teacher without compensation.

By: TAA

TAA — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 06:53:28 +0000

I agree. It’s important to know who will be teaching you when you enroll in an online course. Great post. Thanks!

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:28:38 +0000

Good points all. I think it’s important to realize that not all subjects, students or instructors are best served by online delivery. I’ve been teaching for over a decade (live and online) and find that some students really need a classroom setting, especially those who are not tech savvy or who don’t own computers–a fact many administrators miss when pushing content online. I enjoy teaching online most when the topic and students match the platform. I’ve insisted that one of my classes next quarter be hybrid–part online/part live. It’s an entrepreneurship course and these people need to network and do some mastermind group type tasks.

By: Mary Beth Crum

Mary Beth Crum — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:51:51 +0000

I’ve been teaching online for 9 years now. Many of the myths listed above used to be realities. Online teaching is very difficult, if one is going to do it successfully. And yes, one does need to be trained in how to teach online. I find the biggest obstacle to be the students that think taking an online course is the “easy way out” of doing work…it is more labor intensive than taking a class face to face.I agree with Lisa that best practices, as in face to face teaching, are very important in order to be a successful online teacher. It is one of the most difficult, yet rewarding jobs, I have ever held.