7 Myths in the Online Classroom
Online learning, or distance learning, or eLearning (or even e-learning) has been around now in various guises for quite some time.
This article from eLearn Magazine “7 Student Myths of the Online Classroom” highlights some of the more popular myths surrounding the student’s perspective of online learning. Please read the full article using the link above as the below is only my interpretation of them:
- I can log into the class any time I want.
Yes, you can, but obviously the materials, resources, activities are (or rather should be) designed to encourage interaction, collaboration, and engagement with your fellow students. While you may not be scheduled to be online at 8PM every Thursday evening (remember any differences in time-zones) it is likely you ought to try and work out when others will be online so you can coordinate responses and make the most of your time together.
- Instructors are available 24/7.
Don’t be silly. No one person, while at work, is available 24/7 (and if you are please stop it!). Even if the customer service of your supermarket or bank is available 24/7 you can be sure that it is staffed by a rotating shift pattern to rest the individual. We live in an always-connected world but we still need to disconnect and do something else. Online/distance learners do need support and guidance and, if their study pattern is in the evening and at weekend ‘should’ the Institution put something in place to support them during those hours? Discuss … !
- Online class is just like texting or emailing.
Really? I would rather see the students own writing style than have them try and produce something that is not natural to them. I don’t want to see bad spelling or grammar I’ll admit, but is a discussion post the same as a written assignment? Even if it’s assessed, the student should be comfortable in producing a post according to their own style.
- I’m too busy to take an on-campus class, so I’ll take an online class. Online requires less time and less work.
Flexibility is often what is used to sell an online course, and is a very important facet for learning in the modern economic climate … “Earn While You Learn” as I call it. Any student who believes it’ll be easier has not spent much time investigating the course, or the course has not been properly signposted. I’m not saying the marketing blurb should cover the doom-and-gloom long hours or reading and the such, but it should highlight, or the student should be aware, that online/distance learning is not for everyone. The student will need a good deal of self-discipline and motivation to continue to read, write, discuss, engage, etc. even when they’re not feeling well or think their time is needed elsewhere (family, TV, etc.).
- My instructor can help me with any computer problems I have.
I doubt this. The Instructor should know the profile for the student they are hoping to get on the course and therefore design the course and the materials and activities accordingly to suit the technical competencies of the learner. If you think the students will not be particularly computer literate then don’t provide your materials in difficult or complex ways that require specialist software to be installed and maintained. Don’t make it hard for the student to engage with you or your materials.
- I am the only older/younger/freshman/senior/international/working/unsavvy tech/etc. student in class.
Hopefully the course, materials, reading list, online environment, etc. is introduced to you in an appropriate manner and sensitively by way of induction materials and activities. This will help you increase your understanding and comfort of the tools you will use as an online/distance learner, no matter the level of expertise you may or may not have prior.
- Online faculty are not as qualified as on-campus faculty.
I would hope this is not the case, I can’t speak for other Institutions, but the people I have worked with in the last 6 years or so are extremely professional, extremely competent, and extremely proud of the work they do to generate and support online and distance learning. Developing and supporting an online course often takes up more time and resources than many people think, and I know just how hard these people work (often in their own time).
Do you agree with the above or have anything to add? Please leave your comments below.
My husband is involved in an online course now for his BA degree. I have to say, I’m not that impressed with most of his teachers, but I think back on the instructors I had in college, and truth be told, there’s no difference between teachers online or face-to-face. It’s hard to teach a full course and work too, as the adjunct teachers do at my husband’s school, and I admire them for doing it. I’m grateful that he has the chance to attend school from home. It’s a great opportunity he wouldn’t have taken had he had to go to a brick and mortar school.
From previous experience, I know that on-line requires just as much work as being in the class room.
My favorite myth is myth number three “Online class is just like texting or emailing”. God forbid someone actually believe that, the certainly would be in for a rude awakening. I personally prefer online classes, it takes a lot of time a discipline. Anyone who would expect anything less than several hours of studying baffles me. If you enjoy flexible hours and just peacefulness while you’re learning in the comfort of your own home then taking an online class could suit you, if texting is what you expect the world on online education then it would not be up your ally. Other “favorite” myth would be following number three, #4 “I’m too busy to take an on-campus class, so I’ll take an online class. Online requires less time and less work.” If only this statement was true everyone would do it!This is far from the truth, having experience taking online classes myself it requires a lot of self discipline, reserved study times and a real passion for knowledge and an education. To truly be successful in the world of online classes one must be passionate about their education, you have to want it so badly you’re not stuck on myth number 3.Myth number three tickles me, I can’t believe someone would ever actually think, assume that! It really blows my mind the way people think or come up with these ideas that are sol far from the truth. Which brings me to the next myth “online faculty are not as qualified as on-campus faculty.” which is just outright ridiculous. I have no idea why or how anyone could come up with something like that. I’ve had some of my best teachers who taught me online that I’ve ever had.