Collaborative interaction has become the staple role in distance education. The use of collaboration among students in a virtual school allows the learners to learn from one another. It also creates an environment that allows socialization among peers. Discussion boards provide a question for learners to respond and then collaborate with one another. Various issues are discussed in an online environment allowing time for reflection before responding.
The many social websites are examples of how popular collaborative interaction has become online. The popularity of these types of websites like Facebook and Skype proves that many people prefer and/or enjoy online interactions. There is a growing comfort in discourse with online communication (Siemens, 2008).
Collaborating with a common cause in mind is effective in person as well as online. Several websites promote this type of interaction (Siemens, 2008). Wikis is one example of an effective way to communicate collaboratively online.
Resources
Laureate Education, Inc. (2008). Principles of Distance Education. Baltimore: Siemens, G.
Sabrina,
ReplyDeleteI agree that collaboration seems to be an integral part of DE. What is your opinion on using wikis and blogs in the classroom? Would you use these tools prior to social networking or do you think that social networking sites offer more chances of collaboration with students?
Erica
Sabrina,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post. I really felt like all three areas Siemens mentions overlap. And like you mentioned, there are so many tools to communicate online. I like that online communication allows for reflection as well so responses are usually well thought out.
Sabrina, I think that we have just seen the tip of the iceberg when it comes to collaborative interactions. The K-12 classroom is full of this type of mingling, but face to face seems to be more threatening and less participated in by students. The online interface allows for authentic collaboration minus the fear of speaking in front of others. Facebook and Twitter have also become forums for collaborative learning and communication. My students even notify their peers (that were absent) of upcoming homework and assignments using Facebook. Now, that is Cool!
ReplyDeleteSabrina you make a great point about the growth of social networks. I think that this is a strong reason why distance education is becoming so successful. Even within the realm of F2F education teachers need to begin expanding their lessons to include this form of communication due to, as you say, it becoming such a staple.
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