Internet Integration - Infusing Technology in the Classroom - Assignment Example

Internet Integration - Infusing Technology in the Classroom Status of online classes Introduction Long before the study of astrophysics, geometry and other scientific disciplines, man has often associated the creation of tools with form and function. It is so too, that the use of technology been used for that specific human requirement. With as much enthusiasm to be shown in this short perusal of the said subject, the face of technology used in a setting of say, a classroom, cannot be denied an applause as it is only just to qualify an activity as part of a human need as well in this day and age. Since the advent of technology, teachers, to some extent, have forgone the use of traditional methods of instruction for the new, unconventional and often ‘dazzling’ use of technological methods such as the use of the internet and computer based presentations of lessons, to say the least. In this abrupt situation though, the subject of effectiveness, authenticity and quality of the lessons that can be learned from people online is highly questioned throughout its process. The importance of addressing this scenario is given urgency in regard to its actual effectiveness in the subject matter being taught, whether the source is from learning a language, art appreciation, science class, and the like. Online classes The word ‘online’ is a term usually associated with computers and the World Wide Web in which a person gains access and connection to any possible device that is plugged into the internet may it be a laptop, a desktop, a palm top, and many others. Through the use of the internet and applications such as Yahoo Messenger and Skype, web cameras and microphones are used to give someone a call half way around the world, making a video call to students and/or teachers a meager task for the average person living in the 21st century. Technology has nearly broken down the walls and obstructions of communication for just about any two people or more on the planet and it is because of this discovery that man has made it possible to learn from professionals in their respective fields may it be in the field of science, arts, engineering, and the like, through the use of the internet, web cameras, and microphones; the world of the internet as the source of knowledge and even a Doctorate or Graduate degree. Online classes come in a wide variety of disciplines as it tries to satisfy the different demands of the students on the web. English as Secondary Language/Foreign Language learning online As part of the younger generation of internet-based type of teaching, the famous ESL courses, also known as the ‘English as Secondary Language’ courses are focused on teaching the proper use of the English Language to students who are non-native English speakers. Courses like these delve deeper on the concept of the foreign language which is English in this case. Conceptual learning of the foreign language for the student is fostered in classes like these as learners receive information concerning a different language and use what they have already learned in school to translate what they see as important and use it as additional knowledge and develop deeper understanding with concerns to the topic at hand (Wiig and Wiig). ESL classes vary at this rate as different companies cater to specific needs for the customers. Usually, though, in the different countries around the world, the English language is already being taught in the schools that students attend to starting from Elementary to High school and even college for those who strive to aim higher in the academic ladder. Students come to learn what they could from topics and lessons that are not included in their respective classes at the school they attend to in each of their locations. For this reason, instead of looking for a beginner’s class in speaking the English language, they look for online classes to aid them as they manage to polish what the student has managed to learn from the language that they have acquired from school. E-groups and class forums Collaborative learning is one approach wherein it involves a certain group of learners that help one another in solving problems, analyze situations, complete a requirement, or even create something for the class. Collaborative learning needs socializing and interaction of students occur in which it is through this, students get to learn from the topic in class (Srinivas). In order for the success of collaborative learning, the method of teaching requires the presence of two or more people within a group—may it be an actual live class or an online class wherein its students are required to work on an activity in groups or pairs and attempt to learn from the topic through interaction, cooperation, and a sharing of experiences of other classmates through posting and uploading the worksheets of every student. In order for this to happen in a class, there needs to be a common place on the internet where both the teachers and the students are able to post and read what they have learned from the activities that was given to them. Through forums and e-groups, this is made possible as students get to post the answers that they have come up with their partner or group mates on class’ bulletin board where other groups or pairs of the class can take a look at the answers you have come up with and take the time to compare and ask how you went about what you have come up with, especially when the answer you have managed to get is different from their own. Immersion One method that would make use of the natural curiosity of the student would have to be the authentic inquiry method. This method of learning enables the student to be engaged with the topic they are interested in as they immerse themselves with their topic. They learn about their topic’s background, they ask why things are ‘this way’ or why things are ‘that way’ in the topics they have chosen, and with this, more questions arise and inquiry takes place once more. Through the number of inquiries, more data from the chosen topic is gathered and soon, a certain amount of data would be enough to make, for example, an anthropological paper. In order for the teacher to keep track of this online, the use of blogs and online journals can be of use as this is where the learner would take the time to type down what data he had gathered for a certain day and analyze what he has gathered. Journals and blogs are more precise as it states the day of when the data was gathered and only a number of people may look at what the student has managed to gather in the form of data. The teacher can comment and give critiques on the data the student was able to gather from his topic. It is also possible for the teacher to pique the inquisitive nature of the students through more thought-provoking questions that he might have missed to think about when he was gathering data. Obstructions to internet-based teaching Despite the comfort and ease the internet and the World Wide Web bring to students, teachers, and users alike, it is not without flaws. The flaws are the problems that online classes encounter on a daily basis and at most times, teachers and students never meet eye to eye in different situations (Jones-Shoeman). There are difficulties like the need for the student to have a computer so as to gain access to the internet when online classes are concerned. There is also the need for computer literacy due to the fact that without it, one cannot operate the computer well, which includes his online classes. Literacy in the use of the computer is one whilst being comfortable in using the internet is another as the student may find it a hassle to use the internet for classes and learning. This thought can lead to more problems as it is possible that during an online class, a technical problem might arise from the computer and the student may not be able to troubleshoot the computer in order to resume classes once more. Another problem is the society that the teacher and the online students form. For some students, they feel a sense of isolation as they realize that they do not really get to know their classmates of whom they have only met online and during classes. It can create a sense of insecurity and discomfort for the student. When the need arises that the student would pair up with another classmate of his on the online group, they cannot get along in terms of schedule and work load—which means that one of them will most definitely work more than the other and it would be quite possible that the other half of the pair would claim that he has worked just as hard on their assigned task like his partner. Acts like these can discourage a student. It is also a fact that unlike in a traditional classroom wherein the teacher is in front of you personally, in online classes, the teacher is not personally there in front of the students. This means that free expressions cannot be directly seen for both the students and the teachers during the times when a particular expression needs to be emphasized. Without the actual presence of the teacher being in front of the student, motivating the students to study for class would prove to be a problem as well. It is because of problems like these, there is the proof of the lack of communication between the students and the teachers as there are still ideas and concepts that the webcam and microphone cannot capture. Recommendations The world is still growing and technology aims to improve the status of online learning for the people around the world. Professionals in the online teaching business are developing new ways of conquering the different problems that are encountered during the course of online learning. One solution that has been developed by online teaching businesses would have to be their giving of laptops or notebooks to their students after they have paid their fees for the online courses they are about to take. The notebook can work as a means of connection to the internet and solve the problem with the possession of a computer at home or at work. Before classes would start, the teacher would advise students to partake in computer lessons or read in books on how to go about their computer and classes before the actual beginning of their class. This solves the lack of computer literacy of the student when it comes to the computer. As for working in groups, an assessment of one’s pair or group members can be made and through this assessment, the teacher can tell if who of the members of the group or pair are doing their part in making the task that is assigned to them. Instead of focusing on the output of the paper entirely, the teacher can include the assessment in getting the total score of the students who worked on the paper. In order to solve the problem with the sense of isolation that is felt by the students, one way to put the student at ease would have to be smiling at him—making sure that he is alright with learning online and that students in the class would get to know each other for the purpose of better rapport with one another. The better rapport would lead to better relations among the students and this would create a happy environment for learning for each and every student. The lack of free expressions in class cannot be avoided but can be lessened with the use of emoticons to further reassure students of how the teacher feels about the class. Another would be the tone that is used in voice chatting for the class—a perky voice would entail that the teacher is happy to be teaching the online class and that he is open for anything the student might want to talk or ask about. The positive aura that oozes from the teacher is one of the most important traits that are needed to motivate students into learning. Conclusion Being able to learn online is one of the accomplishments of this age as it is something not a lot of people were able to do in the days before the internet and computers. The use of technology in the classroom entails a less risky learning environment which is a big advantage the teacher and most of all, the student as this environment ensures nothing but ease and quality learning. Works Cited Jones-Shoeman, Cynthia. “Traditional Classrooms versus Online Learning.” suite101.com. suite101.com, n.d. Web. 28 July 2010. . Srinivas, Harry. “What is collaborative learning.” Global Development Research Center. Global Development Research Center, 2010. Web. 28 July 2010. . Wiig, Elisabeth H. and Karl M. Wiig. “Conceptual Learning Considerations.” Knowledge Research Institute. Knowledge Research Institute, 2010. Web. 28 July 2010. . Read More