- Feb 2024
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docdrop.org docdrop.org
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McLuhan (2005) once observed that the medium is the message
This is a complex topic that has significant implications for distance education.
Also of relevance here is M.G. Moore's Theory of Transactional Distace.
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Time for reasoned response
Some learning objectives require time for reasoned reflection; others require the ability to speak/discuss extemporaneously. Keep that in mind when deciding what tool to use. :)
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each individual has a certain measure of control in how his/her self is presented to the rest of the group.
a potential benefit of online communication
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Belonging is one of the fundamental aspects of membership in a group
And everyone experiences this differently. For example, I need to relate to people on a professional level before I'm comfortable relating to them on a personal level. Others need to connect personally before they connect on matters of content/learning, etc.
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“Community” is a word that is used liberally in the educational context.
It is important to define 'community' for yourself and for your students. If you use this word in your syllabus, for example, let them know your vision/definition of community so they're more clear on your expectations.
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. The paper identifies unique ways in which online communication (in the context of learning) is different from face-to-face communication, and consequently four ways in which this can be an advantage for students; namely, there is a measure of social egalitarianism, emphasis on verbal/written proficiency, time for reasoned response, and social age
Each teaching mode (f2f, online, synchronous, asynchronous, etc.) has unique challenges and benefits. Instead of comparing them to figure out "which is better" we should simply figure out how to use each mode in the best possible way to take advantages of the affordances of that mode.
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