Beyond Stalemate: Seeking Solutions to Challenges in Online and Blended Learning Programs

Autor/in	Charbonneau-Gowdy, Paula
Titel	Beyond Stalemate: Seeking Solutions to Challenges in Online and Blended Learning Programs
Quelle	In: Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 16 (2018) 1, S.56-66 (11 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1479-4403
Schlagwörter	Educational Technology; Technology Uses in Education; Blended Learning; Online Courses; Higher Education; Barriers; Interaction; Case Studies; Longitudinal Studies; Student Participation; Teacher Influence; Learner Engagement; Distance Education; Student Experience; Questionnaires; Surveys; Qualitative Research; Statistical Analysis; Foreign Countries; Teacher Attitudes; Employees; School Personnel; South America + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Unterrichtsmedien; Technology enhanced learning; Technology aided learning; Technologieunterstütztes Lernen; Online course; Online-Kurs; Hochschulbildung; Hochschulsystem; Hochschulwesen; Interaktion; Case study; Fallstudie; Case Study; Longitudinal study; Longitudinal method; Longitudinal methods; Längsschnittuntersuchung; Schülermitarbeit; Schülermitwirkung; Studentische Mitbestimmung; Distance study; Distance learning; Fernunterricht; Studienerfahrung; Fragebogen; Survey; Umfrage; Befragung; Qualitative Forschung; Statistische Analyse; Ausland; Lehrerverhalten; Employee; Arbeitnehmer; Beschäftigter; Schulpersonal; Südamerika
Abstract	Concerned calls for more empirical research in the area of fully or blended online learning approaches have yet to be heeded. The concern is not unwarranted given that most higher learning institutions worldwide are moving increasingly to partial or complete online course offerings. Our own work in this area has been directed at uncovering challenges in Virtual Learning Environments (VLE's), particularly those related to participatory issues that are being recognized in educational scholarship from a sociocultural perspective as the essence of successful learning, regardless of the field. The high stakes involved in learners´ proactive and critical participation in knowledge building through social interaction online, as opposed to passive assimilation, are closely connected to effective programs and their desired outcomes. We have argued that understanding the barriers that prevent these participatory practices involves a multifaceted perspective, including the voices of learners, and importantly, teaching practitioners. The significant quantitative and qualitative data we have generated in the different phases of our longitudinal inquiry using case study methodology have revealed disturbing challenges in the programs. These issues are primarily rooted in the degree of active participation on the part of many learners, especially in essential social interactive practices and this despite the commitment, enthusiasm and support of instructors for the VLE modality. Yet without significant student engagement and responsive participation not only are learning goals jeopardized, but so too is the underlying cost structure that often is assumed to support such programs. We are left with seeking a way forward. To do so, in this paper, we apply the investigative work we have done to emerging frameworks for evaluating these online programs. Our aim is to uncover a clear and evidenced-based argument for solutions to offer to key stakeholders and concrete steps they can take for improving their blended modality program offerings. The results of this exercise we believe provide an accessible roadmap for action for the large-scale online program in our investigation and new insight for online learning more broadly. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01