Blog Post Four

Picture Two

My topic, E-Learning, includes distance learning, online classes, and instructional media. If technology were phased out of the classroom, one component to my topic, instructional media would be nonexistent. If we did not have any technology in the classroom, there would be no media to instruct with. This would have pro’s and con’s, as we all know technology in the classroom itself isn’t completely neither bad nor good. A gain to phasing technology from the classroom would be that teachers and children could be forced to use hands on ways of learning, like math manipulative blocks, that have recently seemed to take a backseat to computer programs and online math games. However, if teachers did not revert back to these other touchable ways of learning, and simply just phased out technology without replacing the excitement and hands on learning that technology can bring, children could fall behind when their most successful way of learning was taken away from them. There are two ways to look at online classes if technology were to be phased out of the classroom, you could either say this would entirely remove online classes from our schools, as there has to be a teacher, on a computer using technology somewhere for an online class to function. Or, you could argue that just because technology was being phased out of schools, online classes could still continue, because part of the reason online classes exist, is so students do not have to take them in a classroom, and can take them when and wherever they choose. If online classes were to disappear, there would be many advantages and disadvantages. This could create more teaching jobs, in “Online Learning: The Pro’s and Con’s of K-12 Computer Courses” they say that online classes are being made to cut teaching jobs and save money, however if there were to be no more online classes, this could theoretically create more teaching jobs. Now this may not be true, because the money could just not exist to re-create these jobs. A disadvantage to these online classes disappearing all together would be that this would cost a lot, as online classes can save school districts money. This could also take students choices away, as online classes are being used as an inexpensive way to give students more options on what classes they would like to take.

If you argued that just because technology was being phased out of classrooms, online classes wouldn’t necessarily cease to exist, the there could be totally different pro’s and con’s to technology fading from the classroom. If the only way students could use technology while learning was through an online class, then students might start picking online classes just because of the love that we all have for technology, I think in my generation its bordering on an obsession with technology. This would be bad for students because as we all know, with online classes you do not have a meeting time, with a teacher and your fellow classmates to motive you through the classwork. Usually, you do not even have to submit assignments, and your entire grade is based off of a few tests. For some students this could be very challenging, as they would have to self-motive to get a good grade. Personally, I know this can be very difficult, especially if you are taking other classes in conventional classrooms, because those classes can definitely ‘overshadow’ your online work. Also, it is very easy to become distracted while working on a computer. I should know this as I have about 5 different Internet tabs open on my browser at any given time, even when doing homework. It’s very easy to ignore online work, because of all the distractions that the Internet and computer give us.

Blog Post Three

 

Photo 1: I chose this photo because I think it sums up a lot of the issues surrounding online classes and technology in the classroom. I think this is a funny representation of the struggle to link technology without losing books, classroom atmospheres, and other classic parts of school today. 

Photo 2: I think this photo shows a positive view of technology in the classroom, all of these young students are clearly using a device similar to the iclickers we use here at the University of Oregon. These students all look very involved in the lesson and all look like they’re being engaged by the technology, and the technology is helping the lesson, not hurting it. 

Photo 3: This image portrays those commercials I think we all have seen a few times, the ones for online college and high school degrees, with the cute girls in PJ’s earning their degrees in ‘their own time’ and singing while they do it. These commercials idealize getting a degree online, and make it seem that as soon as you take a couple easy online classes, you will fall into a perfect, well paying job. And, as we all know, this simply is not the case for everyone. 

Photo 4: I chose this picture because it relates to technology in the classroom and how sustainable we can make it for ourselves and for our students. I think this picture is interesting because while all the students have their own, large, flat screen computer, and the teacher is still writing on a chalkboard in front of the classroom. 

Photo 5: I liked this image because it brings up the distinction between using E-Learning, and technology in the classroom to assist and help with lesson plans and teaching students, and having our students become dependent on technology.