Where do we stand as future teachers?
Emily's Opinion:
My stance:
I believe MOOC’s have enormous potential, especially regarding post secondary. I believe a MOOC can establish an online community, and can utilize the massive resource of the Internet if used properly. However, in regard to primary and secondary education, I believe technology needs to be used appropriately and in moderation. While technology is an amazing resource, it needs to be structured and contained, as well as connected to curriculum. I believe using blogs, website, twitter, and videos in the classroom accelerate learning through engagement. I do not believe a MOOC gives students what they need from schools. They need teacher presence, and they need to be able to socialize with their peers face-to-face. We are already creating a society that texts more than it talks, and while this is adapting to technology, socialization is even more imperative than it was before the huge growth in communication technology. I believe teachers could work together to create programs that model after the MOOC format, which could be used for distance education as well as students who are more successful learning online. These online modules would be similar to the flip classroom, where students watch the videos and then do the homework at school, or at designated times that the teacher is available to video conference. I believe face-to-face interaction and in-class activities are invaluable, and are needed to provide time for reflection and connection to curriculum, as well as help for the students if needed.A problem is that the modern child is so influenced by technology already it is difficult to keep educational practices relevant. However, it is also one of the best ways to engage students as they are so in tune with technology such as ipads and Facebook. As a teacher I think it is important to stay relevant by including these technologies in the classroom, while making sure they cover curriculum and have structure.
I believe MOOC’s have enormous potential, especially regarding post secondary. I believe a MOOC can establish an online community, and can utilize the massive resource of the Internet if used properly. However, in regard to primary and secondary education, I believe technology needs to be used appropriately and in moderation. While technology is an amazing resource, it needs to be structured and contained, as well as connected to curriculum. I believe using blogs, website, twitter, and videos in the classroom accelerate learning through engagement. I do not believe a MOOC gives students what they need from schools. They need teacher presence, and they need to be able to socialize with their peers face-to-face. We are already creating a society that texts more than it talks, and while this is adapting to technology, socialization is even more imperative than it was before the huge growth in communication technology. I believe teachers could work together to create programs that model after the MOOC format, which could be used for distance education as well as students who are more successful learning online. These online modules would be similar to the flip classroom, where students watch the videos and then do the homework at school, or at designated times that the teacher is available to video conference. I believe face-to-face interaction and in-class activities are invaluable, and are needed to provide time for reflection and connection to curriculum, as well as help for the students if needed.A problem is that the modern child is so influenced by technology already it is difficult to keep educational practices relevant. However, it is also one of the best ways to engage students as they are so in tune with technology such as ipads and Facebook. As a teacher I think it is important to stay relevant by including these technologies in the classroom, while making sure they cover curriculum and have structure.
Katelynn's Opinion:
In my opinion Massive Open Online Courses have huge potential to change the way we think about education. I believe that MOOCs will be more influential at the post-secondary level than in K-12 schools. We have already seen MOOCs have an impact on the way we thinking about learning as adults. Courses are much more accessible to people from all walks of life, all over the world. Coursera alone has 3.8 million students enrolled in courses. To me that number of students seems unfathomable but this seems to be the direction we are going. There is a want for information when we want it, how we want it, and where we want it, all for free. I believe that MOOCs can provide a wonderful service by providing individuals with education who may not have had access to it before. It is the democratization of education by providing an equal opportunity for learning from all (if you have the technology to assess it). There will always be barriers that may limit some people from having access to education but I believe we are starting to break down some of those barriers with this new technology.
In regards to K-12 classrooms I believe that parts of MOOC may have a place. There is no fighting the fact that technology is infiltrating our classrooms whether we like it or not. MOOCs may provide a platform for teachers to access information and guide their students through it. At a high school level I do see the possibility of MOOCs having a place for students who wish to access their education in a more independent manor. I do believe however that the thinking required to learn using MOOC would be too advanced for Elementary or Jr. High students unless it was significantly modified. Ideally I would use this technology to create a blended learning environment in my classroom.
For me the most important part of the school experience is the social interactions that happen. As wonderful as technology is it will never be able to replace the human connections and relationships that are fostered through interaction with one another. A completely digitalized educational system is quite frightening to me. There are underlying skills that are vitally important that cannot be taught without interaction with one another. I believe that MOOCs will definitely influence our education system in the future but it is my hope that we will embrace these technologies while finding a way to modify them in order to create the best possible learning experience where all areas of learning are being considered.
In regards to K-12 classrooms I believe that parts of MOOC may have a place. There is no fighting the fact that technology is infiltrating our classrooms whether we like it or not. MOOCs may provide a platform for teachers to access information and guide their students through it. At a high school level I do see the possibility of MOOCs having a place for students who wish to access their education in a more independent manor. I do believe however that the thinking required to learn using MOOC would be too advanced for Elementary or Jr. High students unless it was significantly modified. Ideally I would use this technology to create a blended learning environment in my classroom.
For me the most important part of the school experience is the social interactions that happen. As wonderful as technology is it will never be able to replace the human connections and relationships that are fostered through interaction with one another. A completely digitalized educational system is quite frightening to me. There are underlying skills that are vitally important that cannot be taught without interaction with one another. I believe that MOOCs will definitely influence our education system in the future but it is my hope that we will embrace these technologies while finding a way to modify them in order to create the best possible learning experience where all areas of learning are being considered.