So, we have been talking about learning styles in the current Module and I began to think about online courses and the factors that influences ones adaptability to them. I took into account my current experience with TSTM 444 and my previous online course Astronomy 110.
Analyzing online classes based on learning styles was a thought provoking task, and after reading the articles related to learning types and intelligences, I realized only some are suited for online classes. Specifically, after looking at the learning styles chart link, I recognized that online courses seem to be best suited for kinesthetic and tactile learners. I say this because, in my experience, online courses are more hands on. You are not sitting in a classroom as much as you are doing assignments, projects, and learning applications. The teacher/professor needs to make sure that you are capable of the course objectives. The only way to do so is to force the student to actually preform them. In this class, its not just reading about blogs, we each created one. In astronomy, we didn't have class but we had labs to demonstrate our applications of the concepts we were supposed to be learning. Auditory learners, I feel, would struggle the most with these courses. The reason behind my theroy is that these classes do not incorporate an instructor with lectures and continual instruction. One whose learning style is auditory might be best suited to stay with the original classroom-set courses.
In the future, hopefully online courses will be adaptable to all learning styles. Already the technology is allowing various ways to learn. For the visual learner in Dr. Keanes J444, their are a number of links and posted directions for those who need to be able to read to understand a certain concept. She is working with video recording so their can be a "virtual instructor" which would benefit the auditory learner. Once more learning types can use such courses, I believe they will be come more widespread do to their cost reduction and ability to remove the classroom size limitations that other courses bring.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
U Blog 2
The Lowman Home Project, I feel, will be a great project for all those involved, both the trainers and participants. The advantages the internet has provided the people of my generation have only been extended so far to senior citizens. They did not have computers in the classroom, video screens for Power Point presentations, and going to college did not require a laptop computer. Some were immersed into some technology when they entered the business world; however, more jobs were available in the labored work industry outside the office/cubicle. Today, the labored worker, for example, a mechanic, still inputs data into a computer before and after working on a car. The generation before did not have computers in a mechanics shop for client information and the internet for ordering parts.
While they say "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" I am going to have to disagree. You most certainly can. Most people simply don't see the point in spending the time to do so, however technology is an exception. Technology can help senior citizens in making their lives easier and more comfortable if learned. Adjustments will need to be made for teaching elderly persons to use technology, as their learning style is different than a younger pupil according to Jamie Wilson's, "Teaching Senior Citizens About Computers". The article goes on to say that the as a student, a senior citizen is, "smarter, more motivated, and genuinely excite about learning." I agree with Wilson, these pupils are not required to attend a program to learn, they are volunteering either by asking a family member/friend or attending a workshop such as the Loman Home Project.
While I fully agree that teaching senior citizens is fully possible and will benefit them in future; Wilson says, "...but it will be a challenge," another comment which I agree with. When I lived in Kansas, my school hosted a similar program called "Senior Citizen Saturday". We taught basic computer concepts like making a word document and using the internet. The program was extremely successful, but challenging in ways I had not anticipated. Physically, vision was an issue. Wilson's article mentions this as a possible problem. However, we taught them how to adjust computer and internet settings to allow for larger font sizes and how to permentantly set these controls. The internet was another problem that we encountered, while those who use the internet know its benefits, you have to know where to start or it can feel daunting. We started by explaining the internet terminology (web browsers, search engines, homepages, etc.) and giving handouts for easy reference. Then we walked through the simple internet usage. We explained Google's capabilities, email, and personalization. Many found the current weather to be a favorite. Stopping often to ask for questions encouraged the participants to ask more than waiting for them to interject. This too we found to be a generational difference, as they learned to listen to authority and speak when spoken to. The participants in our program were very appreciative of the knowledge we gave them, ensuring my feeling that the Lowman Home Project will be just as, if not more, successful.
Wilson, Jamie K. "Teaching Senior Citizens About Computers".
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/281822/teaching_senior_citizens_about_computers.html. June 20, 2007
While they say "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" I am going to have to disagree. You most certainly can. Most people simply don't see the point in spending the time to do so, however technology is an exception. Technology can help senior citizens in making their lives easier and more comfortable if learned. Adjustments will need to be made for teaching elderly persons to use technology, as their learning style is different than a younger pupil according to Jamie Wilson's, "Teaching Senior Citizens About Computers". The article goes on to say that the as a student, a senior citizen is, "smarter, more motivated, and genuinely excite about learning." I agree with Wilson, these pupils are not required to attend a program to learn, they are volunteering either by asking a family member/friend or attending a workshop such as the Loman Home Project.
While I fully agree that teaching senior citizens is fully possible and will benefit them in future; Wilson says, "...but it will be a challenge," another comment which I agree with. When I lived in Kansas, my school hosted a similar program called "Senior Citizen Saturday". We taught basic computer concepts like making a word document and using the internet. The program was extremely successful, but challenging in ways I had not anticipated. Physically, vision was an issue. Wilson's article mentions this as a possible problem. However, we taught them how to adjust computer and internet settings to allow for larger font sizes and how to permentantly set these controls. The internet was another problem that we encountered, while those who use the internet know its benefits, you have to know where to start or it can feel daunting. We started by explaining the internet terminology (web browsers, search engines, homepages, etc.) and giving handouts for easy reference. Then we walked through the simple internet usage. We explained Google's capabilities, email, and personalization. Many found the current weather to be a favorite. Stopping often to ask for questions encouraged the participants to ask more than waiting for them to interject. This too we found to be a generational difference, as they learned to listen to authority and speak when spoken to. The participants in our program were very appreciative of the knowledge we gave them, ensuring my feeling that the Lowman Home Project will be just as, if not more, successful.
Wilson, Jamie K. "Teaching Senior Citizens About Computers".
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/281822/teaching_senior_citizens_about_computers.html. June 20, 2007
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