Reflections on the role of instructor and learner in a live classroom vs. an online environment

Instructing a class in an online environment presents many thought-provoking challenges. At first glance, instructing in a classroom setting seems to have several inherent advantages. For example, the classroom instructor can evaluate how engaged the students are through both verbal and non-verbal cues and use these cues to shift strategies and content in real time. The classroom instructor can also utilize multiple modalities (demonstration, role play, flip charts, games, etc.) to engage different types of learners. In addition, the classroom instructor can control outside distractions to a greater extent. Given Wegerif’s findings that students are more successful when they feel like insiders, a classroom instructor has the added advantage of face-to-face interaction through which there is greater opportunity to engage with students and create scenarios where the students engage with each other.

My training experience to date has been predominantly in the role of classroom instructor. Considering the advantages of face-to-face interactions, it’s interesting to think about how to compensate in an online environment. One simple solution is a hybrid class that combines elements of both in-person and online teaching. When that is not possible, I think key strategies would include a more formal approach to eliciting feedback from students and a more conscious effort to reach out to engage students and provide feedback to them.  For a synchronous class like ours, I have found that Kiki’s use of breakout groups has helped me to feel more connected. This is a technique I would definitely utilize as an instructor, being mindful of the need to limit the number of students in each breakout group due to the clumsiness of communicating verbally in this modality.

Looking at the advantages of teaching online, Bender made a powerful point about one of the advantages, i.e., it forces students to think on their own and solve problems, which has the potential to foster learning and retention. The question I need to keep thinking about is how an instructor can create lesson plans and techniques to capitalize on this potential.

It is also interesting to look at how the role of learner changes from a classroom to an online environment. Based on my own brief experience as an online learner (our first two classes), I see clearly that online learning takes more responsibility and commitment. There are many potential distractions when at your own computer in your own home. It takes commitment to stay focused. I have also observed firsthand that anxiety about technical issues can negatively impact learning. While the learner has the responsibility to be proactive in learning the needed technology, this is also a point to be considered by the instructor, who should verify each participant’s comfort level and ability to navigate the technology before moving forward.