Issues in Design ... Letting go of old paradigms

As my regular readers know, while I am taking this course I am also writing my proposal for my doctoral dissertation. My dissertation research will involve interviewing counselor educators to get their opinions of the pros and cons of online learning.

I am excited about the prospect of using online classes in counselor education. My efforts in this course have been to create three units for the Counseling Theories course. Luckily, my division chair has encouraged me to continue to develop the class. I am excited that there will probably be room for it on the GSU schedule when it is finally completed!

On the other hand, my colleagues usually express dismay when they hear my research topic. This comment from a colleague sums it up: “I don’t care what you say, I will never believe that online learning can take the place of face-to-face courses.” Sigh.

I have learned not to argue with people like my colleague. Instead I will say, “You have to experience it to believe that you can learn about relationships and learn cooperative skills in an online environment. But I respect your right to your opinion.”

When I was writing my comprehensive paper for my dissertation, my topic was on how online learning is currently used in counselor education, and on the issues related to this practice. Not surprisingly, the argument against online learning had to do with skill-building. My research will be a Delphi study in which I will ask the experts in online counselor education to respond to this and other concerns from educators. I am eager to hear what they have to say!

In this course we spent several weeks learning about student interaction with content, instructor and other students. The designer must consider relationships when creating course content. Toward this end, group projects can be an ideal way to create a sense of community. In the theories course students will be required to work together and apply each theory to a case study. My hope is that they will learn not only about theories, but also how to create relationships, even online!

As we wrap up this course, I feel grateful for the support of my friends in the class. Yes, I call them friends, even though we have never met. Our communication with one another has gone beyond class discussions. We have shared happy news and sad, supported one another through loss, and commiserated when we were feeling burned out. It is only in the most intense f2f classes that I see a whole group come together in this way.

We are completing phase three of a four phase program. It’s hard to believe it was a year ago that we began our work together. I am proud of how we have grown, and I know I couldn’t have developed my skills as well as I have without the feedback of my peers. I appreciate all of them. And to our instructor, Jan, I appreciate all the guidance you have given us since class one. I know Barb will do a great job for us, but I will be sorry that you won’t be there when we do our virtual “walk across the stage” as we graduate with our certificates. Thanks, Jan, for all you have done as our instructor!

Graphics sources:

Learn anywhere: http://www.nhtraining.com/misco/enterprisedelearning.htm

Expert: http://www.montrosecoloradorealestate.com/ask.html

Computer graduate: http://webclipart.about.com/od/special/l/blgrad1.htm