After reading two articles, I have a new understanding of open learning. Both distributed and open learning are based on the Internet and media, meaning that learners need the Internet and a computer or mobile phone. Of course, today the Internet and computers have become necessary in human life, so online learning can be accepted and popularized by the public. Both of these articles mention what online learning is and the characteristics of online learning. Because of COVID-19, I have been exposed to online learning for more than a year. I was struck by the description of online learning in the article. I think distributed and open learning is positive, but there are some drawbacks.
Major’s article has given me a lot of ideas about how to make open learning more effective. According to Major, C. H. (2015) “substantive and direct instructional activity should take place over the Internet for a course to be considered blended learning.” Here is what blended learning is, and blended learning is certainly the most efficient. Blended learning allows students to use the most senses to simulate real classroom teaching. I think any optimization and progress of network learning is to enable students to find the sense of classroom teaching. There is no denying that real classroom teaching is the most efficient because the whole body of the learner can be involved in learning. Marshall McLuhan believes that media is an extension of human beings, when we take an online course, the screen becomes an extension of our eyes and ears. How to make other organs of human beings extend has also become a challenge of network teaching, which can also be understood as to how to make people learn more knowledge through network teaching more conveniently and simply.
Jordan, K. and Weller, M.’s article mention Massive Open Online Courses, which is one of the most recent themes within the network. According to Jordan, K. and Weller, M.(2017) “that MOOCs increase access to HE in developing countries.” Network learning because of its characteristics of convenience, flexible location, so that more people have access to learning opportunities. I think open learning can also raise the bar, charge fees or test capabilities and make some of the better learning resources available to people who really need them. This will make open learning more effective.
Reference
Jordan, K. & Weller, M. (2017) Openness and Education: A beginners’ guide. Global OER Graduate Network.
Major, Clair Howell. (2015). Teaching Online – A Guide to Theory, Research, and Practice. Johns Hopkins University Press. Retrieved from http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uvic/detail.action?docID=3318874 (pp. 76-108)
rbanow August 16, 2021
Hi Stefan,
Thanks for the post. You make some intriguing comments. One of which is “There is no denying that real classroom teaching is the most efficient because the whole body of the learner can be involved in learning.” This comment seems to suggest that the learning that takes place in classrooms often involves the student’s whole body? In my experience, most students just sit in a chair, listen, and maybe take some notes. Is that what you mean by the whole body? Do you see that as a big advantage over watching a streaming video? Why?
You also suggest that “open learning can also raise the bar, charge fees or test capabilities and make some of the better learning resources available to people who really need them. This will make open learning more effective.” Once fees are charged is it still open learning? Even so, in what ways will this make it more effective?
Ryan