Making It Real Online: Distance Learning for High School Students
“Good education, whether face-to-face or online, should be meeting the needs of the individual learners; connecting them with content, resources, and the ideas of others; “making it real” by providing authentic assignments and projects; and providing guidance with independent leaning skills.” (Kachel, Henry, Keller (2005) 17)
Kachel, Henry, and Keller discuss in this article the importance elements of online learning. They discuss the features and design of an online course, the role of the teacher, and the characteristics that successful online learners exhibit. In all of this discussion, they make sure to note the importance of the actual learning that is to be taking place. One of their key points is that when designing any course, online or a traditional, making sure to look at the needs of the learner and being able to have clearly identified content is important.
It is noted that when looking at online courses that the designer should make sure that the content helps set the stage for the context of the learning process. It is also noted that just like a more traditional course, the information should be broken up into smaller pieces so that it is easier for the students to understand what is expected of them along with not becoming overwhelmed and giving up.
When it came to the teacher, one of the characteristics that was noted in a successful education in a distance learning environment was communicating frequently and in a range of methods. Also was the willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies. They discuss that as a benefit to the teachers is that the develop a strong sense of when and how to use technology better in order to meet the needs of their students.
To be successful online students, it is suggested that one have a strong work ethic, self-determination, self-discipline and be self motivated. It also suggests that students seem to be more motivated to learn if technology is involved in the educational process.
Kachel, D E, Henry, N L, & Keller, C A (2005). Making it real online: Distance learning for high school students. Knowledge Quest. 34, 14-17.