DE vs F2F.....

So far the course has made me reflect on my teach still and my approach to training and learning at a Distance. One thing I do have to be aware of it that the technology used in DE is constantly changing. I used Blackboard in one class and Webtycho in another class. Both are asynchronous learning and offer some similarities. Blackboard appears to be more user friendly which is a plus since students don't want to waste time trying to figure out the LMS. I say this because I had some issues trying to upload my assignment. It's a snap using Blackboard by with Webtyco I had to add an extra step..(brain freeze)

Our current Module we are discussing the differences between DE learning and Face to Face learning. For me, and when I was teaching, I always felt a level of comfort by seeing the Teacher's face. I knew I could always ask a question or in fact wait on another student to ask a question when I was afraid to, in order to get the answer or concept I was looking for.

I taught in the US Army from 94-99 and it was a great experience. One thing I did notice was there were students who couldn't learn from the Instructor no matter how many times or how many different ways I taught the subject. They would actually learn from their peers in nightly student hall. I determine that they just did not have confident in themselves or the process. In fact, the less confident students, actually did better than the peer. DE doesn't offer that aspect of learning. In Asynchronous learning it's every man for himself unless we are assigned a team project.

DE learning, (asynchronous) does offer flexibility which I think is what is required for the working adult. I'm in 6-7 meeting a week and many of them overlap. Currently, I could not be focus on a scheduled synchronous course. Moore and Kearsley indicate that one of the key objectives for successful completion of a DE course is to encourage students to be as autonomous as possible in their learning process (p.105) I couldn't be motivated enough by listening to what appears to be another boring routine meeting....Sounds too much like work...lol

DH

Moore, M. G., & Kearsley, G. (2011). Distance education: A systems view (3rd ed.).
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.