An Interesting Comment on ELearning
Saw this a while back and found it intriguing. The Dreaded “Sage on the Stage” Comes Back -- In the Discussion Boards!
...I'll try to explain why I prefer not to use discussion forum myself after having study it intensively 20- years ago...
To explain why I come to this conclusion, let us look at some characteristics of discussion forum first. Please note that these characteristics can be used both positively and negatively - just like most technology, the value is dependent on the utility.
So, what I would recommend today? Surprise! surprise! Online role play simulation! While the media is cold and discussion are permanent, these encourages rational thinking and careful planning. The simulation space reflects the social structure of the persona, not the social structure of a learning institute verse the learners. The professor really has no role in the role play unless s/he is also playing a persona. In that case, s/he is just another persona - and usually, the players do know such persona is actually played by the professor.
Moderating a discussion forum is a tough job - so is moderating a role play. The difference is that moderating a role play is like playing - time just fly. How many times you have when you mark assignments that you will be laughing all the way throughout the marking process? In role play, that is the norm.
posted by Nancy White at 8:12 AM
4 Comments:
Ah, now I know who posted the comment that I commented upon. Albert Ip! Albert, I find most of what you write intersting and follow you work in online games closely! Sorry that I did not catch the attribution right. Glad you caught it!
http://elearningrandomwalk.blogspot.com/2004/11/interesting-comment-on-elearning.html
thanks for the attribution, Nancy.
I was not after the attribution. I would rather know more about how you feel about the comment I made.
:-)
Well, I agree with some of it, Albert, and I disagree with some of it as well. ;-) Should I start with the disagree? Grin.
"You cannot transit body language which comprises of 70% of message if we are in face to face situation." This is one of my favorite hobby horses. The research that percentage stems from is always used out of context. But I'll leave that aside and say this. I think it is not the medium that is cold, but our skill at making it warm is still young and naive!
I do appreciate that you note that the characteristics have pos/neg sides. That is the part that I think is really important and why we have to use a variety of tools and media.
It *is* a lot of work facilitating in both online environments: discussions and role plays (hm, when is a discussion a role play??). I have certainly experienced fun facilitating discussions -- but my experience is usually outside of formal e-learning. I cannot even imagine the ongoing prospect of marking papers! (And no thank you, I'm not looking to do that.) I work to have evaluation be part of the group's process, not just mine. Am I cheating?
I'd add a coda. I've seen people hog the stage in both environments. So the sage can operate in any environment, eh? As can the facilitator.
Duh, that last anonymous comment was from me. Time to turn off the machine!
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home