Given the trend in education, I think that the Internet and the World Wide Web will continue to have a great impact on both adult education and higher education. However, I think that its trend of having little influence on the educational programs K-12 will also continue.
When it comes to adult and higher education, I think that the needs of these students dictate the type of instruction that is used. As was stated in Chapter 3, most of these students have jobs, families and are unable to take traditional courses. As a result, the demand for on-line courses etc. is on the rise. The length of time that it takes to complete some of these courses is shortened and innovations like the Internet and the World Wide Web allow these students to get together without physically meeting.
The K-12 system is set up for students to physically get together. It is also designed to last over a longer time span. And although the Internet and the World Wide Web may help them to learn things “faster”; most schools require specific things be covered in specific grades. If they learn everything in Kindergarten, why would they need to continue on? I am being facetious of course.
And of course there are always the dangers of the Internet and the World Wide Web that teachers worry about with K-12 and not so much with adult and higher education programs. I feel that this is a large part of why the Internet and the World Wide Web won’t have as great of an impact on K-12 as adult and higher education.
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3 comments:
It is so true that there are many demands when you enter adulthood! Having the option for Distance Learning has been a lifesavor. I felt the same way with elementary that one of the biggest challenges is the security. There are many online activities available that fit with the GLCE's, but many are unusable due to being blocked.
I agree with what you said about ault and higher education. When people start there careers, plus families, and even distance factors make it very hard to get to class every week. It makes it so much easier to learn the same information at home fitting in the work with your schedule. As for as k-12 I think I am little more optimistic but still have some of the same concerns you do. Mainly time it takes to get the students to the computers get them going and get them back makes it hard to get in all the insruction teachers want. Also you make great points about security/appropriate content being an issue in k-12.
Tony Vitto
I definitely agree that the biggest impact has been in higher education and for the reasons you stated. Online courses allow people to further their education without having to physically go somewhere. I know for me, the travel part would make it very difficult to do.
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