I was just responding to Mike in discussion about the importance of being a expert in learning tools vs. an expert in the curriculum content and I was saying that being an online facilitator gives a teacher the freedom to give up some control of the knowledge – letting the students be the generator/driver.
But I couldn’t help but I wonder…. why if in giving up the control of the knowledge…many teachers feel like they can give up control of the facilitator role/practice as well. With the online learning environment being what it is, I sometimes wonder whether a computer could facilitate the course on it’s own. Do we really need teachers then? What can they bring that’s unique in terms of knowledge or facilitation of learning?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
2 replies on “Just a thought – computers vs. teachers?”
Your previous post makes the really important point that contact with a teacher is a powerful motivator for students. A computer can’t provide that human contact.
In an online learning environment, we have to work to establish a presence as teacher, in order to motivate our students. I’ve been thinking about ways to make that contact. When I get my thoughts together, I’ll post them to my blog at https://blogs.ubc.ca/longoetec565a
That’s an interesting point Janice – of course, with all of the developments in computers, I wonder if we will get closer and closer to computers filling that need. It makes me think of how everyone prefers to text rather than talk to people on the phone because it’s more comfortable in a way – maybe less risk emotionally? Maybe – eventually it will be less the same with online learning. It’s always tough to get feedback from someone…especially criticism… so maybe people will prefer having a computer give it in the future because it’s less difficult emotionally to hear/ they can take it less personally?? I’m not sure.
In the mean time though, I would love to hear about how you would define your presence as an instructor online. Looking forward to it!
Erin