Using Online Learning Effectively

This article is called "The New Gold Rush: Establishing Effective Online Learning Policies" By Ferdi Serim and it is from September/October 2007.

The article discusses how “online learning is the fastest growing segment of educational technology, for both the best and worst of reasons." The article states how online learning delivers student centered learning. However, "the temptation to replace highly skilled professionals with scripted, mass delivered “content” as a means of reducing costs and/or maximizing profits is a contender for the worst reason." The article provides ways on how to navigate your way to improved success using online learning. First, "use research and best practices". This is important because "online learning optimally should be used in combination with face-to-face instruction by using qualified and experienced teachers who are in physical proximity to enrolled online students as teacher facilitators and instructional supervisors." The article also states to "evaluate offerings using research" because "understanding and evaluating online programs requires understanding the issues and priorities of the stakeholders." Most importantly, the article gives a great example of how to "prepare for a long journey". The article explains how "Taos Pueblo in New Mexico began its journey three years ago, as a magnet school of the Taos Municipal School District located on Pueblo land. Following the first year, when the program was located in a temporary building, students and parent’s handmade 4,000 adobe bricks and constructed a building to house their online learning program. Students who had previously been considered at risk or had dropped out found that when they were in control of the pace and direction of their education, they were able to achieve at higher levels than they (or anyone else) had anticipated. Seeing this change, parents and the community began to realize that something special was going on.

Furthermore, "Shawn Duran and Alexsis Blake have created a blended model of online and service learning experiences that set a high standard for online programs anywhere. Using what they’ve learned in their online academic studies, students have constructed four greenhouses, irrigated by solar pumps they’ve constructed; researched and obtained heirloom seeds of vegetables grown by previous generations on Taos Pueblo; and organized a weekly farmers market so that community members can enjoy fresh produce year round. The partnership between the Taos community, public schools, and NNDS has grown beyond their anticipation by making a sustained commitment, keeping an eye on emerging best practices, and making professional development a continual process rather than a single event." This example is so wonderful and it shows how important it is to use online learning, and how it can help your students learn in ways never before possible!

Overall, this article was very insightful and reminded me of the importance of using online learning in my future classroom. I know we have discussed this topic many times in class and through other blogs, but I found the example in this article to be so inspiring. I think it is amazing that students were able to construct 4 greenhouses and then from there organize a weekly farmers market! This is really a great example of hands on learning! I hope to use this concept in my class or even allow it to be used on the campus that I work at. This project could really show children about lifelong learning and how wonderful it is to work with your community!