And how is this model different from the classic online course (is there such a thing as a ‘classic’ online course?) or a resource/gathered-teacher controlled course?
I don’t know if we can pigeon-hole any of these types of courses into one neat definition. I rather see them as a continuum.
This course is definitely different from any other course I’ve ever taken. It’s the first course I’ve ever taken online. Interesting! I’ve been teaching online for 4 years now. We have been asking our teachers to teach in environments in which they were never students!
Will this course work? It depends. I’m sure Nate has objectives tucked away someplace. Eventually, he will have to evaluate us – and himself as tour guide – based on how well these objectives were met and how many of us are left standing. I can already say that I know more now then I knew last week, and it feels good!
Why is it better? In this course, we are in control of our own learning experience. Many factors will come into play; the time we have to spend, our previous experience with technology coupled with the frustration level of trying to take it a notch higher. Also coming into play is our own motivation. Why are we doing this? How badly do we want this knowledge? What is the price we are willing to pay to make it happen? These are personal decisions. As we are in control, we are accompanied by a guide on this journey… actually, by many guides as we turn to eachother for support and encouragement and praise.
I do have some concerns, though. We are not at the level where we are trying to develop basic competency skills (well???). Although we are all at varying levels of proficiency in computer use, we do share basic minimum skills. I don’t think this type of learning experience would be successful in a timely manner (one semester, for example) for someone who does not have this basic skill/knowledge. I could be wrong.
Tomorrow, I start my online braille class. I know I will have some online rookies, and will have to hold their hand for a while and talk them through navigating our course website. Others will take off running. They all need to learn the braille code to a high standard of proficiency. Are those students who do not first struggle with the technology of access at a disadvantage to those who are more skilled and can turn immediately to the task of learning the braille code? I don’t know. It depends on how much time they have, their inner motivation, and the price they are willing to pay for this knowledge. They will have an instructor who will try to calm their fears, wipe their eyes, hold their hand, believe in them… and turn them loose to do what they have to do- to learn. They have to learn a predetermined set of skills, though… a literary braille code. What if they don’t achieve this requirement because they were so frustrated with their lack of tecchie skills that they never got past that roadblock to go down the brailleroad?
Obviously, my fingers wrote faster than my brain thought…. the concerns are noted; the presentation is weak. I need to revisit this for clarity… mine and yours!
