Comments on: Online courses on the rise http://cpeppler.edublogs.org/2007/02/26/online-courses-on-the-rise/ Blogging my way to better teaching... Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:44:20 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Ckooiker http://cpeppler.edublogs.org/2007/02/26/online-courses-on-the-rise/comment-page-1/#comment-11 Ckooiker Wed, 27 Jun 2007 16:53:52 +0000 http://cpeppler.edublogs.org/2007/02/26/online-courses-on-the-rise/#comment-11 You raise very valid points on both sides of the issue. You can see the impact of technology as verbal communication skills seem to be suffering. On the other hand, access to the vast wealth of information that is available provides endless opportunities. I agree with you that balance is the key. The problem comes in maintaining that balance. It’s easy to swing toward one or the other extreme without even realizing it. I guess that is why we should frequently be evaluating what we are doing. It’s interesting that you bring up the MySpace. We recently had an online discussion in a class I am taking that focused on the accountability of students to the schools they attend when posting private things. The consensus was that students should be held accountable for postings that conflict with school policy. The question of what part forums like MySpace, or even youtube, should have in the educational setting is worth considering. I think your school made a wise choice when they blocked access to it. I think IM and chat fall in the same category. Even though there may be some value in them, students could easily find themselves in a place they should not be unless some type of restrictions can be applied. I will be curious to read what other people have to say about it. You raise very valid points on both sides of the issue. You can see the impact of technology as verbal communication skills seem to be suffering. On the other hand, access to the vast wealth of information that is available provides endless opportunities. I agree with you that balance is the key. The problem comes in maintaining that balance. It’s easy to swing toward one or the other extreme without even realizing it. I guess that is why we should frequently be evaluating what we are doing.

It’s interesting that you bring up the MySpace. We recently had an online discussion in a class I am taking that focused on the accountability of students to the schools they attend when posting private things. The consensus was that students should be held accountable for postings that conflict with school policy. The question of what part forums like MySpace, or even youtube, should have in the educational setting is worth considering. I think your school made a wise choice when they blocked access to it. I think IM and chat fall in the same category. Even though there may be some value in them, students could easily find themselves in a place they should not be unless some type of restrictions can be applied. I will be curious to read what other people have to say about it.

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