Most new faculty today are trained to teach online because the interface is no longer the same like what older faculty used to teach in the early days of distance learning online. I work in a DE department and let's just say it's really hard to push the faculty who have taught online since way back when it started at my college to make use of the new technology.
They have been trained again to use the new interface and software, but they usually come back for help. And I'm just talking about basic Web stuff, nothing with Web 2.0 technologies. I do agree with you James that faculty/teacher should be trained before they use the technologies.
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I would say it's not just the faculty that will need training on new technology. I believe this applies to anyone. The level of training may vary for each person so options should be made available. Maybe something like online tutorial or an online manual. Tips and tricks and what the difference is between the current technology and its replacement.
ReplyDeleteAnytime we just put something new in front of people, the majority will react adversely. People are not usually a fan of change and unless they are also provided a "why" in addition to the "what" they will resist the change.
Kearsley and Moore, as well as Anderson and Elloumi, in their texts, wrote about the need of having instructors trained before using the technology. I would feel better as a student knowing my professor is trained well before teaching an online course.
ReplyDeleteOnline teaching seems easier for instructor versus face-to-face because they don't have to show up in class like students, but in reality it requires more training and patient with the course management system they are using to teach.