Week 3: Online Classes

This week our readings were mainly studies that were done concerning online learning compared to face-to-face learning. The first article that we read was "Asynchronous Online Discussions". Asynchronous learning is a student-centered teaching method that is based on the constructivist theory that emphasizes the importance of peer-to-peer interactions. I think that this class is heavily based on this type of learning. This is my first online class and I personally have found it to be very successful at having me learn the material. Joyce gives us an article to read or video to watch and we as a class take that and ask our own questions and comment on things that we felt to be important. I would definitely say that this class is student run and I feel that it is almost better that way. It makes us students think a different way they the traditional read the book and take four tests. The article defines computer conferencing as: "a group that communications medium enabling groups of people to exchange ideas and opinions and to share information resources." Jeffery Mason made a good point that this definition relates 100 percent to this class and could be the definition of our discussion board. We find out in the article that the results of this study indicate that online discussions do improve students' perceived learning. I would have to agree with that in terms of this class. 


The second article that we read was "Examining Social Presence in Online Courses in Relation to Students' Perceived Learning and Satisfaction". This study had three main hypothesis'


a. Students’ perceptions of social presence in online courses are related to their perceived learning and satisfaction with their instructor.

b. Students’ perceptions of social presence in online courses are a predictor of their perceived learning.

c. Course activities perceived by students as having the highest level of social presence also have high levels of students' perceived learning.


I feel as though many of these hypothesis are somewhat common sense. For example with hypothesis A, if a student feels as though they are positively socially active in a class they will most likely learn more and be satisfied with there teacher. Most students have to feel comfortable with there teacher in order for them to participate in class. So I can definitely see the correlation between learning and there satisfaction with their teacher. I hope that that's what was meant by these hypothesis'. I was having a hard time understand really what they were trying to say. I didn't think that this article was as useful as the last one but I can see the relation  with the two. 


Finally the last article that we read was about E-zines, magazines that are available online. The article talked comic books that have e-zines online. I couldn't really relate to the comic books so while I was reading this article I was thinking about the People magazine website. E-zines allow there fans to contribute or comment on the site giving them the feeling that they are more part of the community. Joel stated "The community feeling is what these sites want because loyalty is an inherent quality within a community. The more the site provides users with a sense of community the more loyal they will be to that site." These sites also allow fans to participate in surveys or polls that ultimately give beneficial feed back to the sites. Soon I think that we will see almost all magazines become available online if they haven't already. 

People know have the ability to read the actual magazine online!