Inside My Head

Here are some aspects of this posting that speak to my thoughts:

With so many technological innovations, it may be difficult for individuals that aren’t tech-savvy to keep up with the updates taking place in the digital world. This can result in frustration from traditional learners and cause them to shy away from taking more online class.

I am a traditional learner and while not afraid of technology, my understanding of the language, operations and learning curve adds to my frustration. I feel there is am missing component of leadership and direction to help those of us that are traditional be able to navigate better as well as more effectively. This makes me question the connection students who are training in physical forms will adapt.

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Is He Selling This?

I find it interesting that the author, Thomas Friedman says,

“When you consider how many problems around the world are attributable to the lack of education, that is very good news”.

I have a problem that he uses the word “world” when much of the world doesn’t have access to actually get on line or the ability to participate in western practices in the ways that we do. I find his comment rather arrogant and quite frankly insensitive to so many. Does he really think online learning is going to solve the worlds problems?

Elitist?

I also find this “article” to be a sales ad for the whole thing. I find it difficult that in a time of having to teach in larger classrooms that there is an expectation that we should teach hundreds of thousands of people now.

I am bothered by the lack of personal contact missing in the education process. I have to touch my students to engage with them. What about a hybrid approach to all of this? It would break my heart to disengage with the in person interaction at some level.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/16/opinion/friedman-come-the-revolution.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0

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Appreciate the Positivity

I responded really well to the positive perspective and outlook on how on line learning benefits the student in being proactive and self reliant. I enjoy this as it is sometimes difficult to get students to engage in the ways in which they need to in a physical class. I wonder however how this will translate into my physical studio classes where one has to be present in their body to learn the content of dance?

https://murcha.wordpress.com/2011/01/05/why-elearning-is-essential-for-students/

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Opening the Door to OLE

So here we go! I have opened a category to OLE and looking forward to digging into this work.

I am in Greece at present at an international conference for visual and performing arts. I will do my best to attend to this lovely to do list for this week but need to figure out how to connect video wise with my limited internet access. That’s alright, I can do this!!