Blog #10 Technology that Support Online Learning

Technology can provide valuable, authentic learning opportunities. Students can access people, classes, and information from sources formerly inaccessible. The possibilities are endless through thoughtful, principled use. My experience has revealed that a hybrid version of elearning is most helpful to students and is supported by Vygotsky's idea of a mentor guiding learning through ZPD. Students need modeling and guidance to make good decisions. Elearning can provide greater opportunities for some students to participate. Teachers new to integrating technology also need guidance and mentoring from veteran users of technology and/or useful websites such as those provided by Lindsay and Davis who term themselves "teacherpreneurs" (Boss & Krauss, 2007, p. 131). A novice needs to start small and let success build on success. As in most learning situations, teachers and students should start with the end in mind and make wise decisions about how to proceed. Because elearning involves discovery, teachers should be somewhat flexible with plans, the acquisition of information, and the direction of a project. However, careful planning at the beginning can prevent some problems --- a teacher should just expect to make some changes along the way. This openness to flexibility is consistent with the EAST model that promotes student leadership (p. 136).