Teaching and Learning Using Internet On-line Courses - Return to Main Menu
Traditional Class or University may not be an option
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As we enter the 21st Century, adult students (25 years of age or older)
now make up close to 50 % of all college and university enrollments in the
United States. There are similar statistics in other countries. Adult students
see the need to enhance their education both at the undergraduate and graduate
levels to enter, change, or advance in their careers. However, due to work
and family schedules, attending a traditional class in a college or university
may not be a good option. A distance education Internet based on-line class
which transcends the time and space requirements of a traditional class
may be very appealing to a well motivated independent learner.
Universities are able to deliver courses and entire degrees to students
in distant locations without having to leave home, set foot in a class room,
or interrupt their careers. The Internet has created a new medium for education.
This new medium breaks down the barriers and provides opportunities more
inter-institutional cooperation in course development and implementation.
There are many examples of courses and whole degree programs already on-line.
Teaching in the "digital information age" environment requires
a shift to a new teaching model. In the "digital age" teaching
model, the teacher acts as the guide or multi-resource person to students
actively engaged in independent learning. The subject content is learned
using a mixture of media, multiple resources, problem solving and critical
thinking methods. Student success may be measured when students solve problems,
communicate ideas, present information, and learn how to learn. The teacher
is no longer regarded as the primary source of knowledge, since many rich
sources of information for learning are now readily accessible electronically.
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