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Online learning offers students of all ages the opportunity to learn from the comfort of their own home. Programs range from preschool learning to advanced degree college level courses. Curriculum is presented through online assignments or live educators. Here are some of the differences in these two approaches.
Assignment Driven Education
- Students may select what time they log on to check assignments and work.
- Interaction between teacher and other students takes place in the form of e-mails, online chats or blogs.
- Instruction may include video or audio recordings.
- Feedback on written assignments is typically delayed unless teacher is online at the time the assignment is turned in, while tests and quizzes are often scored instantly.
- Course work must be kept up to date so that student doesn't fall behind in studies.
- Courses for credit are tied into colleges and the public school system.
John Metzger, professor at Cape Fear Community College, says that many of his "students are stay-at-home moms, individuals working multiple jobs and soldiers deployed overseas. This approach works well for them because they are able to receive an education that can work around their schedules."
Live Educators
- Students meet with an instructor during a scheduled time and interact using a webcam.
- Instruction is presented by a teacher and the computer is used as a tool to enhance learning.
- Feedback is given immediately and students can ask questions about content they are having trouble understanding.
- Content can range from teaching a small child phonics to teaching a senior citizen a new language.
- Sessions can be developed around individual needs of each learner.
- Content is usually supplementary to school work and used to enhance learning.
Elaine Sigal, founder of http://www.stizzil.com says,"Teachers encourage learning by helping students to be critical thinkers which enables them to create new ideas based on that which they have learned."
Both options are wonderful alternative learning methods. However, be aware that all online learning programs are not created equally. When searching for courses that offer school credit, make sure that programs are accredited. If a live educator is what you seek, make sure that the the teacher is certified in what they are teaching online.
