A few comments on the E-Learning article, I have a friend who recently left teaching on an extended maternity leave. She is a special education teacher, (a gifted educator). She has been taking online classes while being at home with her baby. She plans to return to work in a couple of years, but wanted to get her masters first. The online classes are doubly useful to her, as it will get her back into the classroom sooner, complimenting need for special education teachers and will specifically enhance her knowledge, as her masters will be in educational technology! While I agree with the article’s recognition of the shortcomings of this form of pedagogy, (need for knowledge base-driven), for her and the content she is studying, it seems a perfect fit.
Being a person who enjoys going to class, and face-to-face interaction with classmates and instructors, I enjoyed pondering the idea brought out in the article of e-learning as one-on-one instruction. My feelings regarding long-distance internet learning has been that it is too impersonal for a learner like me. This one point, of the relationship, which may be built with an instructor sprouting from the convenience of the internet, is pushing me past my prejudice, and helping be see benefits for many different learners and content.
Have you taken an online class? (I have not). If so, please share your experience with me- I’m eager to know more from someone who has walked the walk. LB