|
|
| GeoCommunity Mailing List |
| |
| Mailing List Archives |
| Subject: | Re: RE: GISList: GIS teaching |
| Date: |
12/07/2001 10:34:43 AM |
| From: |
<evillige .. gmu.edu> |
|
|
In my experience providing effective GIS instruction depends on the
competence of the instructor and the tools available. WBT is not the
approach to use (we should not be "training" GIS, it is a very deep
subject). Distance Learning is the approach to use, the web becomes a
vehicle for an instructor to interact with students. Placing material
on the web for selfpaced training with no interaction between students
or between students and teachers cannot equate to classroom face-to-
face learning.
I teach GIS at the graduate level for Johns Hopkins University. 2 years
ago I was asked to develop my course for a new Distance Learning
initiative. I proceeded to offer an introductory GIS course online over
a series of 4 semesters. I also ran the same course in the classroom.
Students in both courses were given identical exams with statistically
insignificant differences in final grades (online students actually
scored higher in final grades).
The medium used combined online lectures, threaded discussions,
synchronous chat sessions, email interchanges, group projects, software
tutorials, a final project and exam.
The key to the success of these courses is they paced manner in which
they are delivered with an entire class proceeding through the material
together.
WBT is fine for teaching someone to use a software package (ESRI
Virtual Campus). Theory and fundamentals demands interaction with a
domain expert and the Distance Learning paradigm is more appropriate in
that context.
EV
----- Original Message -----
From: "Anthony Quartararo" <ajq3@spatialnetworks.com>
Date: Thursday, December 6, 2001 2:00 pm
Subject: RE: GISList: GIS teaching
> WBT is only going to increase in demand as a greater number of
> consumersdemand a greater variety of subjects to be available.
> While nothing truly
> replaces face to face learning, all of us have experienced the
> instructor or
> teacher who has no business teaching, right? While WBT is rather
> "cold" and
> mechanical, it does allow material to be delivered irrespective of a
> particular teaching style. However, the material still needs to be
> corroborated and "accredited" by someone to ensure Dr. QuackGIS
> instructorisn't simply an infomercial.
>
> With a global consumer base that has it's majority still in the
> "undereducated" category, the demand for WBT will grow
> exponentially over
> the next 10 years. The infrastructure is already in place and
> companieslike The Learning Station are already delivering a huge
> curriculum over the
> internet. Many Universities have distance learning programs that
> offerdegreed programs for remote learners. This is not going
> away, and just like
> every other technology or model education, it will take time to
> iron out the
> bumps.
>
> What institutions will need to address however is the cost:
> because after
> taking a WBT course a few years ago and having to pay the same
> amount of
> money as those sitting in front of the teacher, I think that is an
> inequitythat will turn people away. Should users pay a premium
> for using WBT, or be
> entitled to a discount? It certainly costs the institution a lot
> less to
> deliver WBT than it does classroom education with a real live
> person, so why
> the inequity. Throw in language and cultural barriers, and it is a
> challenge, but one that very smart people are sure to work through.
>
> WBT also provides an alternative and supplement to home-based
> schooling. A
> market that is growing considerably in the US alone.
>
> Anthony
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Wynne Whyman [mailto:wwhyman@worldnet.att.net\
> Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2001 1:18 PM
> To: g.k.mcgregor@ru.ac.za
> Cc: gislist@geocomm.com
> Subject: Re: GISList: GIS teaching
>
>
> Gillian
>
> You're right. Simply putting material (information) on the web is
> usuallynot as effective as individual attention.
>
> Good face-to-face teaching involves knowing your learners,
> sequencing the
> material, using a variety of effective
> instructional strategies, using a variety of effective learner
> strategies,etc. -- all focused on the type of material
> (teaching tennis is different than GIS :-)).
>
> The same thing is true for WBT (web-based training). Good instruction
> includes all of the above mentioned...plus
> working effectively with the technology.
>
> The type of person I would suggest you add to your team is an
> Instructionaldesigner (ID), who is well-versed in WBT
> (web based training). They can work with you to design dynamic
> content,strategies, a variety of interaction w
|
|
Sponsored by:
For information
regarding
advertising rates
Click Here!
|
