Monday, December 19, 2011

Friday, December 16, 2011

Tell us what you think about the possibility of taking courses online. What are the trade-offs between this approach to education and an experience complete with classrooms and in-person interactions? What are the benefits and drawbacks? Have you ever taken an online course or used an instructional video like those from Vi Hart or Khan Academy? If so, what did you think? Can you see video and online instruction replacing traditional classes? Do you think it is the wave of the future?

          I think online courses are cool. Apart from that there are several benefits and non-benefits. Taking courses online is cool because you can do it in your time unless there's a specific timing, you are away from people and the classroom,  you don't have anyone interrupting & you can research the information needed. Then there are the non-benefits which include not understanding what you are being taught in a video, no one there to explain it and totally getting confused within the midst also losing information.

           I have taken an online course. I have also watched instructional videos, "Khan Academy". They are pretty helpful. Rather than the teacher talking to a whole bunch of students in an environment that maybe noisy and losing everyone, this is beneficial. I think the videos break it down a lot and unlike a teacher you can stop, fast forward and re-play it whenever you like.
          
          In the future I definitely see videos  and online instruction replacing traditional classes. Why? Because people come up with genius ideas everyday and once it's put into effect changes a whole lot. This would be an amusement to people. Not everyone enjoys sitting in a class listening to a teacher. Do I think this is a wave for the future? It's funny but I do.



Monday, December 12, 2011

Friday, December 9, 2011

Do you think technology stops our brains from reaching their full potential? Is technology undermining our ability to focus?

Well I think it kind of does. Why? We barely think about what we have to do because we have the information because of modern technology. We don't think as best as we should. I think it does undermine our ability to focus.

Thursday, December 1, 2011