Most recent public comments by Angelica Ibarra-Ochoa https://nowcomment.com/users/147425 https://nowcomment.com/documents/377143?scroll_to=3327346 https://nowcomment.com/documents/377143?scroll_to=3327346 Online Teaching and Learning When I think of “online teaching and learning”, I think of a structured educational experience conducted primarily or entirely through digital platforms including lectures, discussions, assignments and assessments that are delivered digitally. The format can be synchronous or asynchronous and it can be through LMS, video conferencing and interactive multimedia. The difference between “Emergency Remote learning” vs. More traditional Online teaching and learning formats. The shift to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted for me the distinction between emergency remote teaching and traditional online teaching. The first characteristic of the emergency remote learning was the clear lack of preparation as a consequence of the requirement of a rapid response to maintain continuity during the crisis. The focus was on a quick deployment of remote instruction without the typical planning and support structures of traditional online courses. Another unexpected outcome was that lack of training was evident since instructors were forced to record themselves giving a lecture, and when we watched such videos, it was clear that the teacher was struggling to keep the instruction going using a platform they were clearly not familiar with. In addition, there were not enough student engagement strategies and communication between instructor and students was poor. On the other hand online teaching is about leveraging technology to facilitate educational outcomes in a flexible and accessible manner. It involves thoughtful instructional design, clear communication, and robust support mechanisms for students to engage with content and each other, regardless of physical location. Based on my background and experience, Cyber Schools are good examples of organized online education because they are built to provide instruction based on technology and teachers are trained to conduct lectures with strategies to promote the acquisition of knowledge and promote engagements during live sessions. When I decided to switch my kids from the emergency online instruction the school district was providing to a cyber school, I could clearly experience first hand the difference between emergency remote learning vs. more traditional online teaching and learning formats. Thu, 04 Jul 2024 01:20:11 -0400