Module 7 Blog RSA #4
Throughout Module 7 we read about
promoting and building collaborative learning.
According to our text, “An important element of community, whether it is
face-to-face or online, is the development of shared goals.” (Palloff & Pratt p .159) We also learn about the importance of posting
introductions and learning experiences in an online format. This helps to replace some of those elements
that are lost with the lack of face-to-face communication. Online learning should also be able to relate
to real life problems, interests, and experiences to help draw the learner in
and have more meaning and collaboration.
Technology driven learning allows people to process through thoughts,
reflect, articulate exact words to be used, and formulate thoughts without being
under the pressure of immediate face-to-face responses.
My selected article talks a lot about the
social aspect of on-line learning and what is lost and gained. The study talks about the social presence
felt with online learners. According to
this study, “Findings suggest that social presence develops in two-part
process: establishment of social presence and ongoing demonstrations of
presence” (Kehrwald, p. 95) The initial
social interaction happens during the introduction when you store information
about things you have in common, interests, or anything else that helps you
remember them. From there the
discussions and posts you have between others helps to maintain the
communication aspect between people.
I feel both articles hit home on what is
and is not there socially. They both
talk about how things are missing, but there are ways to work towards replacing
them. An online introduction is there to
help you get to know one another, is there to reference back, and helps you
have a connection with another person.
Is this helpful, yes. In our
hybrid class there are times when I recognize a name in a post but I can’t
picture them even though we’ve met a handful of times in class. Looking back at the introductions helps
trigger who that person is. Now if we
were meeting face to face weekly would I be doing the same thing? Who knows.
I may already know people better, I may not. However, I do know without those
introductions and discussion boards it would feel like you were taking a class
by yourself.
References
Kehrwald, B. (2008). Understanding Social Presence in Text‐Based Online Learning
Environments. Distance
Education, 29(1), 89-106.
Palloff, R. M., & Pratt, K. (2007). Building
Online Learning Communities: Effective
Strategies for the Virtual Classroom (2nd ed.). Jossey-Bass.
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