Apparently there is a social side to education that impacts
its quality and effectiveness. If you are sensing some sarcasm you would be
correct, but certainly the education process has changed with the ability to
access oodles of information in a moment of time. Do we really need to go to
college and accrue debt? Why not just Google it, find a cheap or free online
course and acquire knowledge and skills that way? Douglas Rushkoff addresses this
topic in his article, “Online Courses Need Human Element to Educate.”
According to the US News, in 2013, online courses reached an
all-time high, while faculty support fell to its lowest since 2005. It makes me
wonder if the pendulum is swinging back a bit to balance out the trend. Perhaps,
as Rushkoff suggests, living teachers and human interaction are an integral
part to the education as a whole.
Rushkoff also reminds us that education is more than just a
useful information download, it is an experience. When that experience is
shared by others, the interaction can enhance the education process – something
that will not happen in isolation. Online education isn’t going anywhere, nor
does Rushkoff suggest it should, but to maximize its effectiveness, we will
need a human element.
Douglas Rushkoff’s full article can be accessed here: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/15/opinion/rushkoff-moocs/index.html?goback=%2Egde_138953_member_205718420
Check out the links for addition information…
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v19n2/pdf/ernst.pdf
- If you are not up for reading all 49 pagesJ, check out the conclusion on pages 46 –
48.
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