Changing the Face of Education With Online Learning
Online learning is much more than simply getting tutoring and tuition over the internet. Educational experts agree that online learning is actually driving the evolution of education in the twenty-first century. That is one of the reasons why online teaching jobs are such an attractive prospect for many educators. Online teaching jobs appeal not only to people to create their own career, working flexibly from home, but to educators who can see the potential of online learning for changing the face of education.
Professor Chris Dede of Harvard University has been cited in the educational publication, ‘The Journal’, saying that online learning actually promotes thought, rather than just making information available. It fosters creativity, sharing and active engagement in education. He attributes this to the possibilities of the interactive platform of Web 2.0.
It was not very long ago that education consisted primarily of learning the contents of textbooks (sometimes by rote) and regurgitating that knowledge in an exam context. Many of us will remember the tedium of sitting alone for weeks before exams, committing endless facts to memory. Often most of those facts evaporated within days of sitting the exam or test.
The interactive nature of online learning using the Web 2.0 platform changes all that. Of course learners still need to get a grip on the facts and they will still have to sit down on their own to familiarize themselves with the materials. The bonus of interactive online learning is that it transcends mere memorization and helps develop a deeper understanding of a subject or field.
Simulations and computer game-style learning puzzles test more than memory. They encourage people to use their knowledge creatively in virtual scenarios. Discussion forums and wikis (where users can contribute to and edit information) are two examples of situations where learners must think through their contributions, rather than just repeating their knowledge.
Interactive online learning is not just about engaging with impersonal computer programs and websites. Discussion forums are virtual spaces for learners to interact with and learn from each other. Discovering other perspectives encourages learners to think through their own understanding of a subject and contributes to developing critical thinking skills.
As time goes by, all educators are likely to have to engage with online learning, irrespective of the kinds of teaching jobs they occupy. Teachers in schools are already being asked to participate in blended learning, where online learning complements classroom instruction. The impact of online learning is not something only of interest to those who have chosen to specialize in teaching jobs delivered purely online.
