Online education has become an ever more present entity in
the academic world in the last decade. Not only are people seeking the digital
approach for higher education and graduate school, but many are also exploring the
world of online classrooms at the primary level. While there are many
advantages to taking an online approach to education, there are of course (as
there are with all things) also many disadvantages to online learning. One of
the biggest criticisms that the online classroom has faced is the question of
interactivity in the online sphere. Interactivity is the student's ability to
create their own knowledge and it important because it responds to all
different learning styles. Students in an interactive environment learn by
doing. The complaint is that online courses have minimal student-student and
student-teacher interaction. This, however, may not entirely be the case.
Student-Teacher
Interaction in Online Courses
The issue with interactivity in the online world is that
interactivity does not look the same online as it does in a traditional
setting. No, for the most part, students and teachers will not be conversing
face to face. However, there are several different strategies that online
instructors can utilize to create more student-teacher interaction. Instructors
can include a picture and "about me" information on their site. Keep
this material updated regularly, so that students can continue to learn things
about you. It is the teacher's role to create an interactive learning
environment that enable the most productive and successful learning experience
for students. Teachers should engage students in discussion forums, an internal
blog, whiteboard, instant messaging, wikis, and social media. Teachers should
choose the tools that work best for their teaching method and goals and use
them to engage and interact with students. While the interaction and discussion
that occurs between teachers and students will look different online, it is the
same at its core. Students and teacher are still communicating and learning as
a unit.
Student-Student
Interaction in Online Courses
It is this form of interaction that online courses and
classrooms may be more advanced with in today's society. Students today use the
internet for a huge portion of their personal interactions. With Facebook,
Twitter, Tumblr, and all others, students are comfortable and accustomed (at
this point) to this type of conversation. Incorporating this level of comfort
into classroom discussion and interaction can no question be a positive thing.
Teachers should encourage students to interact in the online classroom. Have
students create profiles for themselves so that they can get to know one
another. Use this as a first assignment where students can include pictures,
biographies, and favorite websites. They can get to know one another the way
they get to know and interact with their "real life" friends—online.
As for classroom discussion, many students may find discussion more engrossing
and inviting in an online context. The immediate pressure of speaking in front
of all your peers is lessened. Students can carefully craft their arguments and
comments before posting them. Discussion can be enhanced by more educated and
crafted comments.
Student-Content
Interaction in Online Courses
This area of interactivity in the online classroom is
actually very similar to how it is in the traditional classroom setting.
Students receive assignments and can interact with the content in much the same
way they would in a classroom. Of course, because the class takes place online,
much of the students work will be done completely on a computer and online.
Teachers should encourage web-based research and should require that students'
check the reliability of their sources. Students can share useful websites with
one another, providing an opportunity for student-student interaction as well.
Teachers should ask their students to critique the content of assignments and
projects. This encourages more thorough interaction with the material and helps
the instructor create more relevant course material. Furthermore, online
methods of teaching can allow for creativity from students in their
assignments. Allow students to create their own format for their work; let them
present their content in their own way to better showcase individual talents.
Author Bio:This is a guest post by Nadia Jones who blogs at accredited online colleges about education, college, student, teacher, money saving, movie related topics. You can reach her at nadia.jones5 @ gmail.com.
