Educational Technology - Theories of Online Learning

Now adays, learning online is commonplace, especially increasing during the pandemic. However it is important to remember that online learning is still fairly new, only really coming into play the last twenty or so years. With this decently new territory, comes theories of how students learn online. We will be discussing three of those theories today. The first theory, or model, is Connectivism. Developed by George Siemens, Connectivism is the model that believes knowledge and how it is taught, grows and changes based on communication networks. Think Twitter and how you might see a news story on there. Perhaps you saw the news because of a journalist you like, giving more information or even their opinion on it. Then you learn that knowledge from their percpective, and might even learn more about it interacting with other people who know about the news. This impacts the students in a way that it is actually easier to obtain information and get a full narrative, but it is influenced by the perspective of others rather than a completely unbiased and factual basis. (Picciano)

The next theory is Online Collaborative Learning, or OCL. This model was designed by Linda Harasim. Like Connectivism, this theory follows the idea that communication online and establishing a network actually improves a student's learning online. However, in OCL, there are "three phases of knowledge" through discussion in a group (Picciano). Idea Generating, or brainstorming, Idea Organizing, where ideas are compared, debated, and analyzed, and Intellectual Convergence, where students either agree or disagree on the topics. This is usually through structured assignments with a teacher present, while Connectivism is more free reign.

Finally there is Community of Inquiry of CoI. CoI is based on the idea of three distinct “presences”. These being cognitive, social, and teaching. CoI infers that a blended course is best for students, allowing for cognitive or indepented learning, the "social" aspect of group discussion, and of course teaching in a strutcured enviornment (Picciano). To be honest, CoI is kind of what we are doing right now in Educational Technology. 

Speaking of our Educational Technology Class, we are an Asynchronous class. This means that we access learning materials at a rate we feel comfortable with, and we interact with each other, the class, over a period of time (IT Learning). This is shown through our discussion boards. Anyone can access it at any time to join in a discussion. This is in opposition to Synchronous learning, like how we would all go to school and take the same forty five minute classes in high school. We are all gathered at the same time and interacting with one another (IT Learning). In some cases, people may even do a hybrid of Asynchronous and Synchronous learning.

With Online Learning, there are many different benefits and costs. For example during the pandemic we all had to go on lockdown, but we tried to continue our schooling. During this period of time, students cited that a lack of communication and an increase in workload was hurting their studies. Not to mention technical difficulties, and the risk of a "leave it and forget it" mindset. Meanwhile, teachers complained of an increase in cheating (Korolkov). However this kind of learning also came with a few perks, like being able to work at their own pace, and from the comfort of their own home. There was no time limit on learning if the student could do it independently. It also actually increased communications with teachers, having to rely on email to get more information (Korolkov).



                                                                   Sources Cited

        Korolkov, A., Germanov, G., Langueva, O., Shevyakova, A., & Poskrebysheva, N. (2020, November 6). Advantages and disadvantages of distance learning on students' and teachers' of the Physical Culture Faculty Opinion. BIO Web of Conferences. Retrieved February 4, 2023, from https://www.bio-conferences.org/articles/bioconf/full_html/2020/10/bioconf_pes2020_00058/bioconf_pes2020_00058.html

        Picciano, A. G. (2016, November 30). Theories and frameworks for online education: Seeking an integrated model. Online Learning. Retrieved February 4, 2023, from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1154117 

What is synchronous and asynchronous learning? IT Teaching Resources. (2021, February 9). Retrieved February 4, 2023, from https://teachingresources.stanford.edu/resources/what-is-synchronous-and-asynchronous-learning/#:~:text=Synchronous%20learning%20refers%20to%20instructors,each%20other%20over%20longer%20periods.