This week’s material focused on the concept of online learning. Is online learning beneficial and do students get the same education as they would if the content was presented in a face-to-face classroom setting? 

While reflecting on the resources this week, it was interesting to read the data collected on how many people are involved in online classes and/or programs. This number of people is constantly increasing as technology enhances and things become more accessible. Technology and virtual classrooms are creating a positive change in the education world in grades k-12 along with higher education! 

Online learning gives students the flexibility to work around other schedules and it eliminates time consuming travel. Many times, in online learning environments, students are able to work at their own pace through the course content and they have more flexibility in how the coursework is completed. 

The online classroom is constantly misunderstood in many ways. People often assume that in an online learning environment, the teacher is in session less and that they are not there to support the students learning the same as they would be in an in person learning environment. People that don’t like doing online learning themselves or have had bad experiences with it will tend to stick to this narrative. Online school is only beneficial for both the teacher and the students if they are both engaged. People will also have a negative outlook on online learning if they haven’t experienced it themselves and they don’t really understand what entailes.

Throughout each one of the resources provided this week I found that there was emphasis on the importance of the teachers presence when it came to online learning. It is the teachers job in both learning environments to create the social collaboration, to give instruction and to assess their students learning. It is important that the teacher creates relationships with each student through regular interactions and by providing constructive criticism on course work. If the teacher is unable to do these things in an online setting then the learning will not be beneficial for anyone!

Below I have attached an image from one of the resources provided this week. This diagram shows all the different aspects that go into the online educational environment.

Everyone has different experiences with online learning, some are positive and some are negative. Personally, I have had both good and bad experiences with online learning. It is important for the teacher and students to both be flexible and open to learning in order to create a positive learning experience.