After completing almost one and half semesters of an online graduate program, I have definitely realized that there are similarities and differences in the two methods of delivery. The similarities that I see are that the information that is given to the students will be the same content regardless of the delivery method. The students are still responsible for the same amount of work and projects throughout a semester. The differences in online learning versus face to face learning for me is that there is sometimes a disconnect with not seeing the students on a daily basis like my undergraduate classes. I really enjoy seeing peoples’ faces on a regular basis and having dialog back and forth. I love the synchronous meetings and feeling like I am a part of a class. Listening to my classmates helps me to work through questions or problems that may arise with information or assignments. Some online classes have no visual interaction with the teachers or the students within the class. The only time you might interact with the online instructor is when questions arise about assignments and this would take place through emails and not conversation. Also, when assignments or information is given to the students, there is not a chance to ask questions directly to the instructor and get clarity within a short amount of time, unlike if you were attending a class in a classroom. There are definitely a differences between the instructors’ way they present information. The use of synchronous meetings makes the online class seem closer and allows for interactions with the instructor and the students as well. Actual classes that you have to attend can be challenging for schedules and having jobs and families, but there may be tighter connections among the students.
There are many benefits to participating in an online class and or program. For me, this hits very close to home. Living in a different state has always made achieving my dream of receiving my Masters from Ohio State impossible, that is until last year. The creation of the online dental hygiene master’s program allows me to fulfill a dream of earning my Master’s degree in Dental Hygiene while being able to be here for my family. Time is a great benefit of online learning. I can complete any project, paper or assignment when it fits in for my crazy schedule, even the extremes of late at night or very early in the morning. I can take my assignments with me, even on vacation! Online classes are definitely very convenient for time constraints, location and flexibility of schedules.
My main challenges that I have faced with online learning is the extreme learning curve associated with learning new methods of the technology itself. I have learned to be less anxious about new processes and new ways to learn a variety of information. I am enjoying the challenges of a variety of technology based projects that I would not have gotten with a traditional class/lecture setting. I think that the other challenge is the difficulty in having a complete grasp of what the instructor actually expects from various assignments. Sometimes the expectations are difficult to assess when communication happens over the internet. I think not being able to get clarification and have a conversation with the instructor is a difficult challenge to adapt to. Being able to raise your hand in class and ask a question and get a response is only available during synchronous meetings. Instant gratification is delayed in online education especially when there is no physical interaction, via the internet, with the instructor. Learning to manage my time and ask questions early on in the week allows for me to adapt and get responses so that I can apply the new understanding that I receive from the instructor in order to complete work on time.
I think that online teaching and learning is an amazing process that can allow people from all over the country/world to learn a variety of things in a large variety of ways. Online teaching and learning is a great way to allow people the chance to pursue a degree from their “dream school” even when they are far way in the physical distance. Teaching online can allow gifted teachers to share their knowledge and experiences with people who previously wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to be taught by them due to proximity of the classes. I do realize that teaching online takes a greater deal of time in preparing the class schedule and presentation of information, but reaching a wide variety of students with an endless array of backgrounds will be the upside to the equation. Going through a graduate program may bring the students closer due to the adversity and challenges that we will go through, despite our geographic distances. Online teaching and learning is a great way to allow people to achieve their dream degree or their dream job!