I found myself agreeing with Dreyfus’ argument about how the Internet leads to disembodied (and ultimately inferior) human interaction. The Internet is a great tool in facilitating communication – making it quick and easy to talk to someone halfway across the world. In fact, the coordination and ease of communication that the Internet created led to further developments in our society. Yet, I still feel that despite the great advantages of it, no form of long distance communication (or telecommunication) can compare to face-to-face interaction.
One of the more interesting examples he gave in favor of this argument was the distance-learning example. With the advent of new video technologies, is it possible to effectively teach a class without the physical presence of an instructor? I know there are several classes on campus that have at least posted online lecture material, and even a few that have begun posting video lectures in order to supplement classroom learning. However, there are many students out there (myself included) who take advantage of this and skip class since access to the relevant material is available online and at our convenience.
But I have to admit, despite the great opportunity this gives me for sleeping in an learning another day, that going to class and being in the physical presence of the instructor has been the most efficient way of learning for me. Dreyfus discusses how that even in interactive video, that a teacher can lose “the sense of context” or feel/mood of the room (Dreyfus 60). Sometimes, even through video, you may not be able to detect subtle stresses of importance on certain facts. Even being in a class with other students facilitates learning since others may bring up questions I was afraid to ask, or these questions may help clarify a topic or help me towards a realization about class material.
I do think that the Internet is a great way to communicate. Without it, I would never have been able to communicate with friends from back home who have gone to other schools. Though it helps to be in touch, nothing compares to when we all get to hang out together in person.
Kimberly Koch | 23-Apr-07 at 8:03 pm | Permalink
I completely agree with you that distance learning is not as effective as learning in person, but I just wanted to make the point that for people with disabilities that maybe otherwise could not go to class, learning through video lectures could be the best thing ever for them because it is so close to actually being there and it would make it at least easier than trying to learn it straight from the book. So distance learning does have some great posibilities.
Angela Kinsella | 24-Apr-07 at 11:43 pm | Permalink
I do agree that it is better to learn in the environment (mainly because I am a visual learner, and I need to be there to understand the material), however, I don’t think that it is an inferior way of teaching. There are plenty of people that for whatever reason, are not able to go to a college so they must take online classes. Personally, I think it would depend on the subject matter to see which type of teaching is more beneficial, but I know plenty of people that just learn the material by reading notes online and their book. Sometimes it is better to be in the classroom and have that interaction, but I do think it is completely possible to learn through video lectures and online material. Who knows, that’s what college might even be like someday, just sitting at your desk looking at your computer all day.
Andrea Fish | 25-Apr-07 at 4:49 pm | Permalink
People continue to say that they learn better from face to face interaction with an instructor rather than on the Internet. I see where you are coming from with this and your arguments are valid, but my question is why did the University of Illinois recently decide to allow degree seekers to obtain a diploma over the Internet? They must know something about on-line learning that we don’t, correct? Do you feel that making this available diminishes the prestige of our diplomas, obtained through the classroom on campus?
Fernando Londono | 25-Apr-07 at 8:48 pm | Permalink
I don’t know if I agree with the issue of distance learning. Yes, presence of the teacher makes you more aware of what is actually being taught, but like most people mentioned it depends on the type of learner you are. For a kindergardner no way can distance learning be applied because of the corrections and discipline that need to be made physically. But as a Senior in College I find myself more suited to learn things through distance learning because of the discipline I have retained throughout my life. I agree distance learning cannot replace a real physical enviornment for learning.
Erin Murphy | 25-Apr-07 at 9:37 pm | Permalink
I’ve just had a sudden thought on this whole distance learning thing. Dreyfus uses the example of learning through computers, but couldn’t reading books also be considered distance learning? In both cases, the student is being addressed indirectly. It’s just that the medium is different.
The thing is, no one really learns anything exclusively through books. Like the video lectures you mentioned, they are just meant as a supplement. Books never kept people from learning face-to-face and video lectures won’t either. I think most people realize that interaction is best for learning.
John Creger | 26-Apr-07 at 8:29 am | Permalink
If anything, posting lectures online has made me lazy. In my geology class, i never go anymore because it is the teacher merely reading off the lecture slides. I can do that myself at home and sleep in an extra hour. Thus, i agree with Erin that reading books or lecture slides has the same affect as taking online courses. As long as you retain the information for the test- your grade proves worthy. Some classes people just the grade and distant learning is applicable for these cases. For those who are intrigued about learning and desire more knowledge in a certain field, it will take face-face interactions with others to fully comprehend the materials. But as for rocks, i dont care- i will continue to read the slides.
Krystal Kniep | 26-Apr-07 at 8:54 am | Permalink
I think everyone learns differently, and there is no correct way of gaining knowledge whether it is going to class or on the internet. I think it soley depends on the effort and time you put into it. For me, I learn best from going to class, verbally hearing and visually seeing new concepts. I am not the type of person who can teach new material to myself and comprehend it quickly. I need a lot of examples and other people views in order to understand and formulate my own opinion. However, I have many friends who can get their lecture notes off line, not go to class and understand the material completely.
Ryan Marshall | 26-Apr-07 at 5:04 pm | Permalink
I agree with John in that distance learning is applicable if you are only learning the information at face value. As long as you get the information from online slides and what not, it is easy to retain it for the test and get a good grade. After all, this is what the lower level classes are all about. However, for classes that are discussion and interaction based, such as this class, distance learning is not really a possibility. Sure, people can have discussions on sites like this but it is just not the same as being in a room with others and a teacher. That personal situation and interaction is what’s needed most.
Jennifer Crabill | 26-Apr-07 at 7:35 pm | Permalink
After I have read a lot of my classmates’ posts, I find it very compelling that most agree with Dreyfus’ idea of disembodiment, but later mention that the internet is convinient in some aspects of communication (like long-distance). I have done this, also. I often wonder how my parents, grandparents, etc. stayed in contact with far-distant relatives and friends before the internet was available. It would be very interesting to not talk to someone as young as we, but to talk to someone who has had experience and is knowledgable about both realms–communication before the internet and communication after. Just a thought!
John Rooney | 26-Apr-07 at 8:20 pm | Permalink
I think I disagree with most when I say that the example of distance learning is a poor one. You said that by posting lectures online it makes it easier for you to skip class. I don’t think that this means that online lectures are less useful, it just exposes your laziness. I don’t mean to insult you in anyway because I can’t even count the number of times I have skipped class. Again, this doesn’t expose a flaw in the learning system, I think that it just exposes a flaw in you and I and our motivation to learn.
Chris Paolinetti | 26-Apr-07 at 8:45 pm | Permalink
It is definately harder to learn from online notes, etc, because there is so much more that is said in class that isn’t necessarily on the outline. My personal experience is that of MCB 150 - the notes are online, so often times I would skip lecture and simply review the notes that night. There’s a definate difference in my grades:
Test 1(100% attendance): B+
Test 2(20% attendance): C-
Especially in education, face-to-face interaction is vital to effectively learn material. This is the major difference between online and on-campus college courses, and why the uiuc “global campus” could potentially harm the quality of our degrees.
Jaren Gaddi | 26-Apr-07 at 9:08 pm | Permalink
RE: Kimberly, Angela, Andrea
I agree that distance learning is still a beneficial tool in academics. In my post, I might have come off as believing that distance learning is very inferior compared to face-to-face, but I still believe its a very useful learning tool. Video lectures are great for those who physically cannot make it to class. Plus they are a great reinforcement tool. I was just trying to say that given the choice between having a good video lecture or having a good lecturer/class, I would choose the class. But then again, that could be solely based on learning style. As far as the internet Diploma, I think it’s useful for those who are unable to commit the necessary time and effort of being physically in class - say those who are supporting children, physically disabled, or perhaps people whose job forces them to be far away from home (say those in the military). I don’t think it takes away from the prestige of our diplomas, but I think that if you are able to physically be on campus for face-to-face learning, you should do so.
Jaren Gaddi | 26-Apr-07 at 9:32 pm | Permalink
RE: Fernando, Erin, Ryan
Agreed - the type of learner that you are can have a great affect on your chances of success with distance learning (or for our cases here at U of I, “internet” learning). People who easily learn by reading course material may not need to go to class - online lecture notes are sufficient. Auditory learners can learn by listening to recorded lectures/watching video lectures. Visual learners may be able to do well by watching video lectures (or looking at lecture notes with lots of graphs and pictures). But again, I still feel that distance learning lacks something. Like Ryan said, there are some classes that may not be able to succeed as distance learning classes. Discussion based classes like Philosophy can be very difficult to conduct - though it may be possible if we were all able to sit down on our computers at arranged times and throw ideas around in a chat room. But what about other classes like Chemistry, where labs are essential tools in learning course material. I don’t believe there’s a good way to conduct labs without the proper supervision next to you in the classroom. Like Erin said, they’re great supplements. But I think that face-to-face learning allows us to not only learn things for face value, it helps us further internalize what we learn.