Week Five

This week each group presented the design of a same lesson plan for both online and face-to-face course. Each group was consisted with two and the topic was chosen by each group to create the lesson plan for both online and face-to-face. After each group’s presentation other groups provided feedback on advantages and disadvantages of each learning environment. Our presentation was about introduction to computer hardware. My group-mate presented the lesson plan. My personal evaluation of our presentation was we did ok. One of our lacking according to my observation is we did not breakdown our lesson plan by minutes but all other groups did an excellent job by breaking down the lesson by specific time duration for each activities.

Based on the assigned reading of different articles and observation of class presentations I have learned that both online and face-to-face learning have their advantages and disadvantages. Every instruction can be designed either face-to-face or online. I think it is more complex and hard to design an online course than a face-to-face class. Online learning environment facilitate reflection time from learners to think critically where as in face-to-face students have limited time to think and response. Also, online learning provide opportunity for shy students to actively engage to participate compare to face-to-face participate. In online learning instructor has limitation to observe learners’ body language and facial expressions to draw attentions and engage learner compare to face-to-face learning where instructor has the advantage to observe and understand the learner’s expression. But use of technology such as video conferencing or synchronous class meeting may reduce that limitation.

In terms of course design Dana Gutman explained about six barriers causing educators to resist teaching Online are salary, promotion and tenure, workload, training, interpersonal relations, and quality.