One potential problem I foresee with the use of Internet and Web technologies in education is that it will not be used effectively. In other words, rather than exemplifying computer imagination as defined by Martin Siegel, I am concerned that educators will fail to use Web technologies in a way that “creates an experience that can’t easily be replicated in other media.” This is illustrated by a 2000-2001 survey that revealed that, while 55% of educators reported using technology on a weekly basis, 33% used it primarily for improving students’ computer skills and 29% used it for drill-and-practice activities. Only 20% reported often using it for problem-solving and analysis activities and 10% for Internet research. Furthermore, the results of this study cannot be rationalized with the argument that there is a lack of access to the Internet in schools. A study published in 2005 by the National Center for Educational Statistics found that the ratio of students to Internet-accessible computers was 4.4 to 1 (Trends and Issues p.23). This feeds the doubt that computer technology and more specifically Internet technology will lead to innovation in the field of K-12 education.
However, while use of the Internet in traditional classrooms has not been very promising, the use of Internet to create online classrooms is a trend that is experiencing an explosion in growth. A study published by the International Association for Online Learning has reported plenty of statistics to back this up. Here are a few that I found interesting:
- 45 of the 50 states, plus Washington D.C., have a state virtual school or online initiative, full-time online schools, or both
- Many virtual schools show annual growth rates between 20 and 45%
- 72% of school districts with distance education programs planned to expand online offerings in the coming year
- Data suggest that in about six years 10 percent of all courses will be computer-based, and by 2019 about 50 percent of courses will be delivered online
I also believe that Internet use, primarily in the context of online courses, will become more and more prominent in higher education to suit the needs of a diverse student population. This falls in line with one of the core philosophies present in education legislation: that everyone have equal access to education. There are some concerns about online education though.
The Sloan Consortium published a study in 2007 discussing online education statistics in higher education. The publication reported that studies surveying chief academic officers in higher education institutions found that the main barriers to widespread adoption of online education, in their opinions, was lack of student discipline in online courses, lack of acceptance of online education by the faculty, lower retention rates of material taught in an online environment, and higher costs in developing and delivering online courses.
Nonetheless, the report published in 2009 by Ambient Insight LLC that I previously mentioned projects steady growth through 2014. Below is a graph that illustrates their statistics.
Due to my lack of experience in the business, government, and military sectors, it’s hard for me to judge what kind of role the Internet will play in those areas. But if I were to make a prediction, I do not foresee the Internet playing a large role in military training since the majority of the training is done on the military bases. The need for special equipment to be used alongside much of the training software limits online learning capabilities. The sensitivity of the training information could also limit Web access. However, I could see the Internet being used as a tool to connect to officer training programs though, due to their more academic nature.
Due to a lesser need for confidentiality in their training materials, I can see the Internet being used more frequently in the government and business sectors to allow employees to train from the comfort of their home. I also believe that the type of training used in these sectors is more likely to have technological requirements that are within the limits of personal computers. Especially in large corporations, Internet-accessible computer simulations could be appealing based on their more efficient use of human resources in comparison to training conducted by an instructor in a physical classroom.
In conclusion, I would also say that one advantage that instructional technologists have in the business/government sector is that decisions to use Internet-based technologies are ultimately made by corporate leadership, which conceptualizes technologies, while in education those decisions are often left up to the teachers that implement those technologies.
Resources:
This publication focuses on online learning in higher education:
The Sloan Consortium - Online Nation: Five Years of Growth in Online Learning (2007)
This publication has a wealth of online learning statistics:
The International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL)- Fast Facts About Online Learning (2010)
This publication contains additional statistics in graphical representations:
Key Findings from the Ambient Insight Research Report (2009)
The Department of Education published a report analyzing 46 studies on online learning which found that it has had a positive impact on education. You can find a summary of the key findings starting on page 16:
U.S. Department of Education - A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies
Your response was certinly more interesting than the textbook. I was not aware that Michigan and Alabama have on line distance graduation requirement. I always see offers for on line colleges in Chicago and receive e-mail offers to take courses at home to become certified day care workers, bridal consultants, and medical transcribers. These have greatly expanded offers out there, but those are the ones targeted to stay at home moms. I have oftened wondered how they would verify that the person doing the work was actually who they said they were. It's easy for hackers to steal idenity they say, so how about on line degrees?
ReplyDeleteMargie
I am a proponent of online learning and have spent three years in a program that was dedicated to online credit recovery for High School students. What I am not a proponent of is just sticking a student in front of a computer and expecting them to learn it all on their own. Most online courses are little more than reading a textbook with a few demostration videos added and then once a week you may get to have a chance to join a live chat with an instructor if the program you are in has that option.
ReplyDeleteI also found that while access to the computers in schools was there it did not mean that it was used. When teaching I was often one of the only teachers to sign up for the computer lab on a regular basis.
I think that it is getting better as the years pass and I am glad for that . There are so many awesome opportunities out there.
Based on the little knowledge that I have about online classes in our high school, I get the sense that online classes have a ways to go. I think both about the Computer Imagination article, and the example in the textbook of the instructional television, which consisted of a videotaped lecture. In order for online classes to be worthy of such mandates that have been established in K-12 education, something will need to be done to ensure that they are a truly rich experience for students.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely that we should doubt how effectively the internet is and will actually be used in education. In my experience, most teachers aren't using the internet, or all technology for that matter, to its full potential. I think that there are several reasons for this: lack of training, lack of resources, indifference toward technology. Ginger, I also am surprised how few teachers take advantage of computers labs. And many who do sign up for time just let students play the same online games week after week.
ReplyDeleteI hope that education follows the precedents set by colleges to embrace & understand the more meaningful uses of the internet.
I think a lot of the problem with teachers not using technology effectively is that the training is often one day or half-day or hour. When it comes to technology it takes a lot of time for people to be comfortable using it the right way. I know a teacher who will use it at times, but has me come to her room after school so she can practice before using it the next day. She is afraid something will go wrong after all her hard work. I use technology everyday, but I have pretty good resources in my room and am more willing to play around with everything.
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