Abstract
The goal of this chapter is to explore the benefits, limitations, and opportunities of online instruction in higher education. Steiner and Hyman (2010) posit that online courses have become an increasingly popular means for teaching university students and an alternative to face-to-face classroom instruction. In addition, Serlin (2005) believed that some learning activities can be done better, or more extensively, in an online setting. According to Serlin (2005), this is partly because students feel a significant amount of anonymity, which makes them less inhibited about participating in discussion, and in other online activities.
TopIntroduction
This chapter was conceived with a purpose to contribute on the debate about online classes versus face-to-face learning. According to Ganesh, Paswan, and Sun (2015), about 23 percent of college graduates have taken online courses, and of those, about 15 percent have earned a degree completely online. Furthermore, Sugar, Martindale and Crawley (2007) asserted that fifty-six percent of the university administrators stated that online education has become a critical long-term strategy at their respective institutions. The discussion explores how online instruction is perceived as an effective format for delivering courses to remotely located or severely time-constrained students (Steiner and Hayman 2010). Online learning is defined by Cook (2014) as a term referring to a diverse array of instructional technologies and approaches that have in common their use of the internet. The discussion explores the interplay between technology and education.
Online Learning Defined
Online learning is defined by Natarajan (2006) as an instruction which is delivered by:
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The separation of teachers and learners which distinguishes it from face-to-face instruction;
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The influence of an educational organization which distinguishes it from self-study and private tutoring;
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The use of a computer network to present or distribute some educational content; and
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The provision of two-way communication via a computer network so that students may benefit from communication with each other, teacher and staff (p. 250).
Distance learning is defined by Bolliger and Wasilik (2009) as a learning environment where students and teachers are separated by distance and sometimes by time. Online education is defined as a process by which students and teachers communicate with one another and interact with course content via Internet-based learning technologies (Bolliger & Wasilik, 2009). In addition, according to these authors a course is considered an online course if 80% or more of the content delivery is done via Internet.
Characteristics of Effective Online Instructors
Salmon (2000) cited by Bennett and Lockyer (2004) identified the following characteristics needed by online instructors in order to be effective:
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An understanding of the online environment;
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Technical skills in using the features of the software;
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Online communication skills to engage learners;
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Content expertise to support learners’ knowledge construction; and
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Personal characteristics, such as adaptability, positivity and confidence (p.232).
In addition, Stewart, Goodson, and Miertschin (2010) listed faculty characteristics that appeared as beneficial for successful online instruction as being adaptive, technologically literate, self-disciplined, able to work without social reinforcement, and not a procrastinator; and having an independent work style, good time management skills, a highly developed work ethic, collegial relationships with other faculty, strong grasp of the content area, ability and interest in instructional design, and ability to develop and maintain connections with on-campus personnel (p. 189).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Blended Learning: Students use both online and face to face learning methods.
Online Learning: Students and teachers use the internet-based learning technologies to participate in the delivery of academic information.
Netiquette: These are etiquette specific to online communication ( West, 2010 ).
Social Presence: Is being present when using an outside medium to communicate.
Asynchronous Learning: Is the interaction that takes place between the instructor and students at different times ( Meyen, Lian, & Tangen, 1997 ).
Learning Community: Persons within a shared physical or virtual space ( West, 2010 ).
Distance Education: Students and teachers are separated by distance or time.
Web Based Learning: Is any form of innovative approach for delivering instruction to a remote audience using the Web as a tool ( Natarajan, 2006 ).