Web-Based Learning - Book Report/Review Example

? Literature Review on Web Based Learning and Instruction Undoubtedly web based learning into the classroom has revolutionized the way teachers create lessons. There are many new methods by which teachers can bring forth a visualized lesson plan to students using smart boards and the internet. As students are becoming more and more acclimated to these tools, a few critiques have stated that doing so would cause the student to fray from the writing and doing research the old-fashioned way. It can be argued that tradition is important and the technological tools have caused students to become lazy in doing research and writing, where character and writing styles are developed. Nevertheless, other scholars believe that web based learning is the direction to go, and they present several benefits of online learning, as well as directions on how to achieve effective web based learning. For instance,Carol Caruso(2008) states that online learning has been used in a small school to offer students courses that would otherwise not be feasible with the traditional instructional methods. Similarly, Van Dusen& Blaine (1995) carried out a research on Integrated Learning System and concluded that the system presents several potential benefits to the classroom learning, but in most cases, there implementation remains incomplete. These varied opinions give rise to one question, and that is, how does the fraying away from traditional methods of instruction benefit students in the classroom? One of the ways in which the internet has revolutionized classroom learning is that even smaller schools are able to offer courses tailored made to individual interests of the students. Caruso (2008) presents several benefits of online learning and one of them is the economic feasibility that allows smaller schools to offer individualized learning that they would not afford when using the traditional instructional methods. In addition, students have the opportunity to go behind barriers, take charge of their own learning, and explore unusual interests, which enhance learning and understanding of the students. Moreover, this improves the engagement and participation of the students in classroom learning; thus, it ensures more concentration and understanding of the topic. Sharing similar opinions with Caruso are Van Dusen and Blaine (1995) who through a research determined that technological based learning offer great potential for enhancing classroom learning. This follows a study on local school districts and an ILS agency study that revealed ILS provides a more constructive learning that creates a rich learning environment. For example, spreadsheets, Word processing programs, thesauruses and mathematical graphing programs among others offer students an opportunity to construct meaning, as well as enhance their critical thinking. Furthermore, taking online classes builds learning skills in students, which help the in future independent learning required in college; thus, when they go to college they can easily adapt without having serious challenges. Caruso (2008) further gives several considerations in choosing an online class, which play a significant role in developing an effective online learning platform. These considerations include the length of the course, grading method, teacher’s interaction with the professor or teacher, whether there is a syllabus or not among many others. Teaching is merely part of education, effective learning should ensure that students grasp what they are taught and attain success through incorporated teaching practice. Pros and cons of incorporating technology to change instructions There are several advantages associated with online learning or technological based classroom learning. First, use of technology to enhance learning allows students to develop technological skills that will benefit them in future career or workplaces. In this digital world without technological skills, one cannot survive long in a workplace, as well as be able to develop and enhance their careers. Another advantage as Zuckerman notes is that it provides a variety of options that students can choose from during learning. For instance, instead of relying on the textbook and teacher, students learn from each other, and from online source, which offer countless opportunities for the students to enhance their learning. As such, the educators should engage students more in online learning, and incorporate other technological devices into classroom learning. In addition, Zuckerman suggests that learning activities should also be harnessed to offer information that will allow an insight to students, parents, and instructors to help them improve the process. In addition, internet provides students with access to materials or resources that they would not find in the textbooks (Caruso, 2008). This in turn increase their chances of achieving credit required for college admittance, and thus, boosting their chance of securing admission. Another significant advantage of technological instruction is that students become more dependent and when the teacher is unavailable, they are able to go on with learning and solve their own problems without the teacher’s help. According to Azzam (2008), technology provides the power to impact on the policy and practice of education. Furthermore, technology also enhances the learning of low-income earners by giving them an opportunity to use the technology in order to enhance their opportunities. For instance, research reveals that youth from low-income families are more likely to download study guides than their peers from higher-income families. This presents a 43% and 63% likelihood (Azzam, 2008). The current generation is already technological proficient; hence, using technological tools in class is simple and offer great potential for success in academics (Hallet, 2008). Despite the numerous advantages technological and web based learning offers, there are also several disadvantages of fraying away from the traditional methods of instruction. For example, online learning can present certain managerial challenges that may interfere with students’ learning. Caruso (2008) gives an incidence that happened following introduction of online learning in their school. In this incident, the students dropped the course after the period for vendor’s drop had passed. This was a managerial challenge that called for a contract to ensure that such mistakes are not repeated. Another disadvantage about web-based learning is that the teacher may not be in total control of the students, and thus, they may stray from learning activities and such other materials in the internet. The other disadvantage that forms the basis of debate against online learning is that students become lazy because information is readily available over the internet. As a result, they do not have to take more time looking for information in the textbook or library. In turn, there is little development when it comes to reading skills and creative skills offered by the traditional instruction methods. Explanation and evaluation: Thoughts and opinions on the subject matter At its inception online learning had not been mastered well by teachers. This made it difficult for student to gain from online learning. The situation has changed and now teacher that use online learning are well acquainted with technology. Online learning does not only make learning easy, it also increases student learning experiences. With all its positive rating, online learning is not for every subject and student. For online learning to be effective students have to be interested and the curriculum also has to be in line with graduation requirements. Ferriters (2008) states that teachers using online learning should be persistent and contend with online troubles like blocked websites and slow internet connections. To make online learning effective, teachers and instructors have had to come up with online programmes specifically tailored for the students. The teachers in conjunction with online course vendors have been able to come up online courses that are gradable and fulfill graduation requirements. The evolution of online learning has made it easier for student to learn because their teachers and instructors are just an email away. However online classes need to be monitored to ensure that student are doing the right thing. Caruso (2008) states that this can be done by assigning students two adults to oversee the learning process. One monitors the student during class sessions while the other is a virtual teacher who communicates with the students online. In order to ensure retention and attendance to these online learning classes, the lessons are designed with the student needs in mind. Another to ensure retention is by making sure that only the students that are interested in online learning are taken on board. Retention can also be attained by letting the students know the cost implications if they decide to drop out of the online class. This ensures that only students who are in it for the long haul register for online courses a factor that keeps costs low and economical for the schools. The aim of education is to impart knowledge which will be beneficial to students even after they leave high school (Wenglinsky, 2001) To this end online learning has been used to make research simple for students. With online learning, time that would have been used looking for research material is saved. Students can now access books and other relevant research material online. The biggest challenge of online learning has been ensuring that all students complete and pass their courses in the stipulated time. Students have different learning abilities; some will grasp the course content in three months while others will need a whole year for the same course. Curaso (2008) argues that the use of student councilors help to alleviate the fears of student who do not have a quick mastery of their courses. This challenge can also be overcome by making other aspects of online learning like participation count towards the grading of online courses. Despite the challenges of online learning, has benefited both teachers and the students. Online course are convenient through the availability of instructors who are just an email away. Students get access to class announcements, notes and assignments without moving a limb. The flexibility of online classes is however limited in the case of high school students who are supervised by their teacher and facilitators to ensure they stay on track (Scherer, 2004 ). There is still some flexibility because they can access their course work even when they are away from home. Online learning also enables the giving of individual attention to students. Since the students are in direct contact with their teachers and instructors, they can get their concerned attended to in time (Breivik and Senn, 1994). Some students fear asking questions in class for fear of looking stupid, online learning eliminates this fear making the student comfortable enough to ask questions. As stated earlier, one of the main objectives of learning is to enable students acquire skills that will help them even after they leave school. On completion of their online courses, students are usually skilled in web browsing a technical skill that is vital in their resumes and online research. It gives them an advantage over their counterparts who don’t have the skill. Online learning makes it easier for teachers to attend to the individual needs of their students. Through online courses they are able to know the problem areas of their students and come up with tailor made solutions to solve those problems. The use of content experts also saves time for teachers making it easy from them to concentrate on imparting valuable knowledge to their students. Conclusion Online learning has undoubtedly revolutionized learning and improved student learning experience. Although critiques of online learning have concerns over the blow that online learning might have on the conventional methods of research and writing, the benefits of online learning put their fears to rest. Other also stat that students are becoming lazy due to their over dependence on online resources. However the time for web based learning has come and it is the direction to go. Even though students rely on online resources, there is still a significant part of their learning that is done predominantly in the classroom using conventional teaching methods. It needs to be noted that online learning dos not replace conventional classroom learning but compliments it for the good of the student. Online learning has made it possible for small schools to offer courses that would not be possible under traditional methods of learning. Online courses have given educators an opportunity to attend to the individual needs of their students; a factor which has improved learning experience and student performance. Through online learning, students take charge of their learning and become master of their education (Glennan and Melmed, 1996). The internet also provides students with learning material that would otherwise not be found in textbooks. It widens their scope of study and makes them learn beyond the curriculum. With globalization and digitalization of the world, it is important that students are introduced to online learning to not only equip them with life skill but also to make them competitive in the arena. References Azzam, A. M. (2008). Reaching the reluctant teacher. Educational Leadership, 65(6), 93-94. Breivik, P. and Senn, J. (1994). Information Literacy: Educating children for the 21st Century. New York, NY: Scholastic. Caruso, C. (2008). Bringing Online Learning to Life. Reshaping High Schools, 70-72. Ferriter, W. M. (2010) Dgitallt Speaking: Cant't get kids to read? Make it social. Educational Leadership, 67(6), 87-88 Glennan, T., and Melmed, A. (1996). Fostering the use of educational technology: Elements of a national strategy. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Hallet, V. (2008). Using technology tools for technologically proficient students. Educational Leadership, 66(5), 34-36. Scherer, M. 2004. What works in reading? Educational leadership, 61(6) 5 Van Dusen, L. R. and Blaine, W. R., (1995). Can integrated instructional technology transform the classroom? Educational Leadership, 53,28-33 Wenglinsky, H. (2001). H.O.T.S + Professional development= great technology outcomes. Curriculum Technology Quarterly, 10: 4 Zuckerman, M. B. (2006). We must do more to incorporate technology into the classroom. Educational Leadership, 66(6), 78-79 Read More