Internet-based educational methods
We receive questions daily on how to approach the transition to web-based education and to meetings and courses held online. There are several factors to consider, not least that course and meeting participants do not have the physical contact and opportunities for the normal ways of interacting in the classroom.
Flipped classroom
Reversing the logic to first complete the homework and then conduct the lesson has proven to be a highly effective educational approach. An essential component of this pedagogy is that participants should pose questions to the teacher during their self-studies. The teacher addresses these questions, allowing everyone in the group to benefit from each other’s insights and to clarify aspects of the educational material that might not have been understood.
Online classroom
Opting for internet-based meeting systems instead of conducting courses in the classroom presents new demands for both the teacher and the participants. We often observe attempts to deliver the classroom course, using the same structure, online, which will not be effective at all. The time window we have for concentration via a screen is significantly shorter, and the loss of interaction within the group must be compensated for with new elements, materials, and methodologies.
In short, the course and lessons should be divided into shorter segments interspersed with self-study, question and answer sessions similar to the Flipped Classroom model, group work in ‘breakout rooms’, and clear directives on how participants are expected to interact within the group. We also incorporate advice and methods on how to make the breaks as effective as possible, including physical activity and direct dietary guidance.
Download the guide: “3 Steps to Structure Your e-Learning Course into Micro-courses”
e-Learning – Self-studies
e-Learning is a concept that often goes awry, primarily due to poor course content and structure. If clarity, methodology, and directives are important for online-based education, they are even more crucial here. Micro-courses that can be combined for personalized learning are a fundamental requirement. Forget about lengthy e-learning courses without clear educational objectives; they will not work. Unfortunately, this is often what we see in companies. Structure, clarity, and high-quality, engaging content are a good starting point. Without them, you’re lost in the self-study quagmire.
Distance education
Universities are grappling with the fact that approximately 50% of all those who enroll in distance education programs drop out before completing their degree. This is a global phenomenon that poses significant challenges for educational institutions, as their funding often relies on students completing their degrees. What could be the cause? Once again, it is a lack of knowledge about how to effectively conduct distance education that is the primary issue.
We often see that a camera is simply placed in the classroom or lecture hall, with the assumption that remote participants will follow the course in the same way as those physically present. Universities record MOOCs in a manner that they share on the internet. Again, there must be a clear structure and pedagogy for distance education to work, where interaction between students, the instructor, and among group members is a critical function for making this effective.
In Summary: If your company, school, or institution is going to invest in internet-based educational methods, you must be prepared for the fact that this approach and pedagogy differ fundamentally from traditional classroom teaching. The only thing that remains the same is the teacher’s expertise.
Patrik Löfvin
NXT Learning
