XplanaZine

In 1997, 12 million travelers planned their own trips. In 2002, 64 million did it themselves. 77% of those that use the Web to plan their trips actually purchase their tickets online.

These are the kind of numbers I like when I’m talking about the pragmatic values of the Web. In many instances, it provides us with the connectivity and flexibility we need to do our business better.

I believe this very thing can be said regarding online learning. There are very pragmatic values for students and instructors alike. Just as important, listing and discussing these values can give us good insight into what needs to be done next in the field.

1. Online learning gives teachers and learners more flexibility. It’s 11:30 at night and I just had an extremely constructive discussion with a student. The “learning” moment was convenient for both of us because we were both online. It was also the best time for the learning to take place because it occurred at the precise moment the student was actually attempting to complete a task that involved the material being learned. Unlike the classroom, where we generally discuss what it is the students will need to learn (and fail to learn) on their own outside of class, my experience with online learning is that it is extremely synchronous — the interactions between teacher and student occur at precisely the same moment the student is attempting to apply the subject being learned.
2. Students who take online courses get the double benefit of learning their subject matter and developing marketable computing skills. The lament that we often hear is that online learning is inaccessible to many students because of their lack of technological expertise. The flip side of that complaint is that most students are capable of online learning and all but a very few can develop the skills necessary to learn online. Those who are successful, prove to themselves and future employers their competence with the Web and other software products. They also become adept at getting and reporting information from the Web, one of the more important survival skills in today’s evolving workplace.
3. Online learning can be more adaptable than classroom education for addressing different learning styles. With today’s technology, courses can address easily visual, audio, and tactile learners and provide each with a choice of learning activities most appropriate for her/his learning style.
4. It is easier to quantify user experience in online environment. In the traditional classroom, instructors have an intuitive feel for the success of their class and for the actual level of interest or frustration of the students. Online, student interest and participation can be quantified and studied, and course components can be altered accordingly.

Just as we know that increasing numbers of people will handle their own travel for reasons of efficiency and flexibility, we know that more and more instructors and students will opt for online education for the same reasons. And, like those who plan their own trips online and marvel at the ease comfort of the process, those who choose to learn and teach online will discover real, tangible benefits.

And, ultimately, isn’t it these “pragmatic” values that make the difference fir the learners and teachers?