Alleducatorsapproachthisnewparadigmwithvarying.doc

All educators approach this new paradigm with varying degrees of enthusiasm and concern. Are you optimistic or skeptical about Online Learning? Are you interested in knowing how delivering courses online can improve your teaching and offer unprecedented learning opportunities for your students, or do you want to know what you will be up against as you plan and deliver your classes online? It is important to consider both the pros and cons of online learning so you can be better prepared to face the challenge of working in this new environment as well as embrace the new opportunities that it has to offer. Strengths or Weaknesses? You choose which link to follow first, but please look at both - its only fair! Strengths of Online Learning  There are many valid reasons why online programs are rapidly becoming a popular form of distance learning in higher education today. The online environment offers unprecedented opportunities for people who would otherwise have limited access to education, as well as a new paradigm for educators in which dynamic courses of the highest quality can be developed. Here is a list of some of the major benefits of online programs: Any Place Any Time or Pace Synergy High Quality Dialog Student Centered Level Playing Field Access to Resources Creative Teaching Anywhere….The primary advantage of asynchronous online learning is that it allows students to participate in high quality learning situations when issues of distance and scheduling make on-ground learning unrealistic. Students can participate in classes from anywhere in the world provided they have a computer and Internet connection. Also, the online format allows physically challenged students more flexibility to fully participate in class since the Virtual Classroom is delivered to their home through their computers instead of the students having to physically move to the class. Anytime, Any Pace….The Virtual Classroom is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Time effic