Discussion
Goal setting is a powerful way to improve educational performance by helping one to focus effort. My current educational goal is to obtain my Bachelor’s degree in business while my long term goal is to major in marketing advertisement. I will eventually buy a marketing software that will enable my business to get clients.
Online learning occurs when the student and instructor are geographically separated. Due to a variety of programs and courses in the online learning, students are able to study in their preferred courses online. In comparison to the traditional face-to-face method, online learning improves technical skills and interaction among learners (Murphy, Walker & Webb, 2013). Modern computer skills are paramount in this method since the learners are required to navigate different programs, create and share documents, attach video materials to their assignments, and submit projects and proposals online (Edmundson, 2012). The effectiveness of online learning surpasses that of classroom education. Chat sessions and lecture modules posted are just like instructions in the classroom mode.
The reticent or shy students can chat and make contributions with more ease in online class discussions; thereby, promoting coexistence. This proposition augments the fact that conventional college experience is characterized by peers and personal interactions (Enriquez, 2006). Online Learning helps individuals to reserve time needed for work commitments and family responsibilities. The curricular may require contributions from learners and these contributions bring them much closer. The technology and science-oriented institutions strongly argue that online learning is a “massive lecture” where the instructor does not shout to the back of the hall and end up unheard (Bender, 2012).
Journal
The online experience has been beneficial so far, ranging from flexibility, speed, and immediate results. Online education saves time, and I can engage in other things as I study (Allen & Seaman, 2010). Online education allows me to study during my free time; thus, I am able to manage my time effectively to ensure that I execute my usual routines and still get time for my online class. My technical skills have soared to a higher level, and my research methodologies made cheaper due to reduced transport expenses. It has provided a more comfortable learning environment, interactions and immense ability to concentrate. I have kept working while still pursuing academic credentials to ensure personal development is attained (Allen & Seaman, 2010).
The learning process has been worthwhile due to improved interaction and persistence in the research work. I would be interested in teaching collaborative learning because it is a new form of learning that is associated with numerous benefits. This course is of great interest to me because it helps students develop high-quality discussions by creating a challenging and complex initial prompt. Introducing such prompts that are relevant to the learners’ objectives is beneficial because it enhances a multifactorial perspective and fosters high-level thinking (Palloff & Pratt, 2007). The entire prompt is aimed at giving students more opportunities to engage each other about the topic.
The course objectives in relation to the syllabus govern online learning. The most important objective is an introduction to the principles of advertising and public relations related to marketing and business, and marketing communication. They are critical as they will help me create a platform for my long term goal. If sales surveys would be included, it follows that online learning would have a great boost in helping me gain important concepts. The great assistance I would require is a link with media relations as the course largely involves crafting brief and articulate messages to be disseminated using various social media.
References
Allen, I. E., & Seaman, J. (2010). Learning on Demand: Online Education in the United States, 2009. Newburyport, MA: Babson Survey.
Bender, T. (2012). Discussion-Based Online Teaching to enhance Student Learning (2nd ed.). Sterling: Stylus Publishing. Print.
Edmundson, A. (Ed.). (2012). Cases on Cultural Implications and Considerations in Online Learning. Hershey: IGI Global.
Enriquez, A. B. (2006). Adoption of online courses in higher education: Evaluating the readiness of business students and faculty. In Y. Inoue (Ed.), Technology and Diversity in Higher Education: New challenges (pp. 164-187). Hershey, PA: Information Science Publishing.
Murphy, D., Walker, R., & Webb, G. (Eds.). (2013). Online Learning and Teaching with Technology: Case Studies, Experience and Practice. London: Routledge.
Palloff, R. M., & Pratt, K. (2007). Building Online Learning Communities: Effective Strategies for the Virtual Classroom. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.