The Virtual Classroom

I have just been cced on Twitter by Kha Mer (@khakhov) who kindly pointed me to a post on Mashable/Tech called The Case for the Virtual Classroom. (The above really does demonstrate the wonderful power of Twitter for getting ideas around.)

The post on Mashable is by Sarah Kessler (@SarahFKessler) and is a really good read. The post makes six key arguments for the virtual classroom (I won't bother to go over them in-depth (mainly because I agree with most of what is written), other than to add a few comments below). The six arguments are:

1. Online Education "Doesn't Have to Suck"

How true. I see so many on-line systems that are really bad. Some times this is not the fault of the designer, but is more an expression of the limitations of the system (computing or academic) within which they are having to work. (See my earlier post on Tips for Exemplary Course Design (but watch out for the limitations of your VLE)

2. Universities Have Limited Physical Space

This is very true!

3. Education Can Change the World

Again, true.

4. Global Understanding Is More Important Than Ever

Yes! But this does raise some interesting problems. First there may be a difference in the 'culture of learning' between different parts of the world. Some students may prefer to learn by one approach, and some by another. We can't fall in to the trap of thinking that all students around the world learn the same way.

There is also the 'time-difference' problem. It can be very difficult to interact directly with students online if the staff and students are in different time zones. This can make the learning experience very disjointed and frustrating for the staff and the students.

5. The Internet Empowers Self-Motivated Learners

Yes, I agree with this, but there is still a need for students (and staff) to develop on-line learning skills. (Yep, I would argue that you need a course to teach you how to do a course on-line, and obviously this course can't be delivered on-line...)

6. The Virtual Classroom Can Make the Physical Classroom More Effective

Again, I would agree with this, but I would argue that there is a need for both, that is, classroom based teaching and online.

Anyway, stop reading this and go and read the full post - The Case for the Virtual Classroom - and then come back here and tell me I am talking nonsense!