Predicting the future is hard for me as to often I do not know what is in the works right now. Also the future of technology is always changing the minute something new comes out. Point and case. I bought the Iphone4 and they announced a week later the 5 was to come out sooner than later. I feel as though I am always just one step behind.
With these courses we have taken though I have gotten some in site into what online learning can be and where it can go. I personally am not sure how I feel about 100% online learning. I do like the blended format and feel that we will be seeing a lot more of these type of schools popping up in the near future. It will be hard for students to avoid any online learning in the near future.
With the way education conforms to the needs and changes of the "working world" technology and online collaboration will soon be a required part of education in my mind. We have had trends where we pushed math, reading, science more so than the other topics. Technology and collaboration with it will be at the forefront soon. Students will need practice with this and the best way I feel is a blended online learning format. A blended format is much like many work environments today and if we educate our students to be successful in the "real world" is there a better way than this blended learning exposure?
I, too, agree with the blended approach. I think the traditional classroom has some pitfalls but so would a completely online format. The blended approach would be able to get the best of both methods and provide students with the necessary skills to be successful in the real world later on in life. If I remember correctly you teach 2nd grade? I know students know more about technology than they used to but I still have a hard time envisioning these online formats having much success in the lower grades.
ReplyDelete