As a community of professionals in higher education, here are a few terms you may have heard during the past year: MOOC, flipped classrooms, gamification, blended/hybrid courses and active learning. You'll hear all these terms again, and more in Anant Agerwal's talk "Why MOOCs Still Matter".
If you participated in a previous version of 13 Things, you may recognize Anant Agerwal; we learned about his "Circuits & Electronics" course at MIT that had 155, 000 participants! Agerwal now leads edX , a nonprofit online learning venture of MIT and Harvard.
In this talk, Agerwal highlights what he sees when he re-imagines education: what do you see? Do you agree with the shifting dynamics of our learners? Is a blend of online and in class learning an ideal possibility? Does blended learning have a place in the small, liberal arts college? When you imagine Coe in ten years or twenty years, do we look any different than we do today?
Well...I do like his idea of breaking up lectures with a 5-7 minute informative video and having students do interactive activities, but a college experience is so much more than massive online learning. It also involves communication, socializing, campus life, establishing relationships, making professional contacts, and having face to face contact with those in your field (and maybe even geographical area.)
ReplyDeleteThe goal should always be of preparing students for the real world in their chosen profession, both in hands on skills and personal development.
I really like some of his ideas. As a current grad student, I've found videos and interactive activities to be the most helpful - much more so than reading articles/books (at least for me!). However, I wouldn't give up the conversations we have in class for anything. I think a healthy balance is the best option, and provides a little of everything for any type of learner. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI do find it a little crazy that the way we are teaching hasn't changed drastically, with all of the developing technology. I certainly believe that technology belongs in the classroom- our brains have changed and the way that we learn is different so the way we teach has to be different. However, I see that happening to large lectures.I'm sure it will happen eventually, but I still see so many advantages to the small and very personalized approach of small colleges that I think we have many years before we change too much. There is still so much value to small discussion groups and labs that applies to the "real world" today. However, I imagine once more companies go the way of distance offices, etc. it is going to change drastically!
ReplyDeleteAgarwal is selling something. It seems to be change. If we've done something for a long time, we should do something different. Then he shows pictures of passive students in large lecture halls. That's not what I do at Coe. That's not what I did at Western Illinois University. I don't remember much of this when I went to college in the 1970s. Maybe for intro classes at large universities, but otherwise it's pretty much a straw man argument/allegation.
ReplyDeleteThe previous comments have been pertinent. The point of college is not to change, but to empower students for work and life. We should do whatever accomplishes that.
To some degree we need to flow with cultural changes, but there is some value in being counter-cultural as well. In some of my classes we sit in circles and talk about books. Maybe Plato did the same thing 2400 years ago. Maybe students would rather be texting. But they don't need me to text.
Whenever I hear about "flipped" classrooms--students do the absorbing of material outside the class through reading or watching videos, and they come to class to apply it--I think "that's what I've always done! Is that something new? The "application" part is usually discussing and trying to apply ideas.
ReplyDeleteI don't teach gigantic lectures, never have. That's not really a Coe/liberal arts thing, I don't think.
Maybe he's talking mostly about engineering/sciences?
I do like using an online Forum in classes when students are reading difficult texts. They can start interacting with each other and formulating their thoughts about the readings before they come to class, so I agree with him on that point! I love being able to look at Forum to determine what direction class will go.
I think he is talking about teaching in a compelling, fascinating, and active/experiential manner that allows students to engage in the manner(s) they are more comfortable with, instead of making the students participate in the manner (many times singular) the instructor dictates. We already do this at Coe in many ways. Just as I think books were compelling and the height of educational technology 2400 years ago, computers, phones, and the world wide web are the compelling technologies of today.
ReplyDeleteI don't foresee all of education being filled by MOOCs but I do see them as a portion or option of how education is offered. I see integrating them, or teaching in a similar style in-person, as a way to work smarter, not harder.
I was skeptical after reading these comments before watching the video, but I think he makes some valid points. Although there's no substitute for human interaction, it's important to adapt to students. I'm not convinced that MOOCs are right for Coe, but they may be attractive to a growing number of college-age students. This could have an impact on recruitment.
ReplyDeleteIt's a constant whine of mine that I feel like I should be doing more in terms of active, or 'process', learning, yet "the devil's in the details". I still let myself be held back by fears of content comprehensiveness as well as concerns regarding accountability and assessment. While technology may be helpful once I figure how to change my personal paradigm, it is not the solution. Much like I shouldn't let a new piece of equipment in the lab drive my hypotheses, I need to first come up with a sound approach and only then consider how technology might facilitate that process. These are big issues for me, which is why I continue to participate in these development opportunities.
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult for me to imagine becoming educated only using MOOCs but for many this may be the most convenient. I love the verbal exchange in the classroom to think "outside the box" but can also understand the safety of this exchange thru the computer.
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful idea that so many yearn for knowledge as is apparent in the number of students in these classes.
The only concept I was familiar with with the "flipped classroom" which I personally think is a great idea! I learn much more by "doing" and would have found this a great way to learn in middle school and high school.
ReplyDeleteThe other ideas are interesting - MOOC reaches so many people who might not have access to a brick and mortar college so I think to that extent it's a good solution but the number of students participating is mind blowing. I am glad to see that people are experimenting with these different ideas.
I think there is a definite need and place for MOOC's; however, I wouldn't want it to be the solo experience for individuals to complete their education. There still needs to be face-to-face contact at some point. I have participated in a MOOC and enjoyed the flexiblity and format of the class.
ReplyDeleteOne of the books I cited in my dissertation was a history of all the technological innovations (filmstrips, movies, videotapes, computers) that were hailed as solutions to all educational problems, and sure to eliminate the need for human instructors within a few short years.
ReplyDeleteI can see where MOOC's will have a larger place in the education world of the future. I like the idea of being able to "replay" and "pause" the video lecture just because it gives the listener time to process and listen again to important points. However, there will always be a place for small(er) classes and lectures. Different learning styles will dictate different modes of teaching. A MOOC might appeal to and work for some but there are many students that would not do well in that type of learning environment.
ReplyDelete