Growing Pains for Online Education

Interesting debate brewing as Online Education gather’s steam, and thus money.

Here’s two snipits, one from Carnegie Mellon’s Open Learning Inititive and one from a Chronicle story with opinions from the “father of online learning,” A. Frank Mayadas.

“The U.S. Department of Education is currently engaged in the process of creating plans for the future of education in America. As part of this process, it is working with leaders in the field to develop a National Educational Technology Plan (NETP)  “to provide a vision for how information and communication technologies can help transform American education.” – Source: Open Learning Inititive

Vs

Chronicle Story

“But the success isn’t smashing enough. Not even close. That’s the case made by A. Frank Mayadas, an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation program director who called on online educators gathered here to meet what he sees as a major need — fast. And Mr. Mayadas, considered the Father of Online Learning, suggested in an interview following his speech that the government should step in with some $500-million to support traditional online courses — not just the experimental “free” courses that have emerged as a darling of the Obama administration.” – Source Article

When the smoke clears, I think a form of blended learning will emerge as the most effective way to teach “online,” just as we do at the Graduate School here. I see perhaps a in-person meeting for people to meet, followed by regular synchronous online meetings once a week or so for presentations, help sessions or office hours to keep people from drifting away and in-person meetings with sub-groups who live close to each other for study sessions at cafes and libraries. I also see activities such as facilities tours, museum outings and hiking as being very valuable in terms of keeping students engaged. Then perhaps a mid-class in-person meeting, and an ending meeting with presentations.