Teaching & Learning Online
There is a current need and desire from many people around the world to learn English, both locally and globally. As a result, learning a language online has increased in popularity. One benefit of online teaching and learning is the flexibility of hours and the opportunity to utilize a variety of technological tools. Teaching online gives students an opportunity to process and have a voice – especially for ESL students who often remain silent in “regular” classrooms or feel intimidated to speak and practice English in large groups. The con of online teaching websites is that they often do not offer competitive pay for its teachers and they can cost a lot for starving students as well. However, websites that support both teaching and learning language online are excellent places to start as they make the footwork and self promotion aspect of online teaching a little easier and it gives students a “one stop shop” to seek out a variety of tutors and resources to help them learn the language.
Programs to Research
The difficulty in learning and teaching online also comes in the variety of choices out there to teach and learn. Many sites are too wordy for beginners and others don't provide enough variety in their lessons to provide a well rounded language learning experience. Some websites I would recommend to learn language, however, are LiveMocha, Mango and Transparent. LiveMocha is free and an excellent resource if you already know a language and are looking to improve and maintain your skills. If you are starting from scratch, sites such as Mango, Rosetta Stone and Transparent are helpful. Each of these sites cost money and work from slightly different approaches. For example, Rosetta Stone is modeled after an immersion approach while Mango and Transparent are modeled after a more “bottom up” approach and teach language using shorter words and phrases. Your money may be worth the effort on these sites, depending on your learning style, needs, and desire to learn.
Going Global
The strengths of online teaching, reaching more students and collaborating with those from other cultures is a unique experience and one I have appreciated in my own learning. In addition, online education is not going away. In fact, new learning models are coming out every year, including the more recent Massive Open Online Courses, also called MOOCs. It is interesting to see the paradigm shift in learning and what Universities are making available to learners worldwide. I like the idea that teaching online provides a learning opportunity for students who may not be able to learn any other way. As The 20 Million Minds Foundation put it: “There are still millions of students who need and want what we think of as traditional education. But millions more are not being served by that style of education – the real threat is that they will never be able to improve their skills or make their lives better.” Of course, the logistics of large MOOCs, such as grading mass papers, funding for such programs and the potential for college credit are all areas to evaluate if MOOCs are to go forward. In the long run, however, if not MOOCs, then other programs and online teaching models are sure to be available that can help bridge the education gap by providing access to learning for more students. As a MA candidate looking to help access learning for our global students, to think that I can be a part of that movement is exciting.
There is a current need and desire from many people around the world to learn English, both locally and globally. As a result, learning a language online has increased in popularity. One benefit of online teaching and learning is the flexibility of hours and the opportunity to utilize a variety of technological tools. Teaching online gives students an opportunity to process and have a voice – especially for ESL students who often remain silent in “regular” classrooms or feel intimidated to speak and practice English in large groups. The con of online teaching websites is that they often do not offer competitive pay for its teachers and they can cost a lot for starving students as well. However, websites that support both teaching and learning language online are excellent places to start as they make the footwork and self promotion aspect of online teaching a little easier and it gives students a “one stop shop” to seek out a variety of tutors and resources to help them learn the language.
Programs to Research
The difficulty in learning and teaching online also comes in the variety of choices out there to teach and learn. Many sites are too wordy for beginners and others don't provide enough variety in their lessons to provide a well rounded language learning experience. Some websites I would recommend to learn language, however, are LiveMocha, Mango and Transparent. LiveMocha is free and an excellent resource if you already know a language and are looking to improve and maintain your skills. If you are starting from scratch, sites such as Mango, Rosetta Stone and Transparent are helpful. Each of these sites cost money and work from slightly different approaches. For example, Rosetta Stone is modeled after an immersion approach while Mango and Transparent are modeled after a more “bottom up” approach and teach language using shorter words and phrases. Your money may be worth the effort on these sites, depending on your learning style, needs, and desire to learn.
Going Global
The strengths of online teaching, reaching more students and collaborating with those from other cultures is a unique experience and one I have appreciated in my own learning. In addition, online education is not going away. In fact, new learning models are coming out every year, including the more recent Massive Open Online Courses, also called MOOCs. It is interesting to see the paradigm shift in learning and what Universities are making available to learners worldwide. I like the idea that teaching online provides a learning opportunity for students who may not be able to learn any other way. As The 20 Million Minds Foundation put it: “There are still millions of students who need and want what we think of as traditional education. But millions more are not being served by that style of education – the real threat is that they will never be able to improve their skills or make their lives better.” Of course, the logistics of large MOOCs, such as grading mass papers, funding for such programs and the potential for college credit are all areas to evaluate if MOOCs are to go forward. In the long run, however, if not MOOCs, then other programs and online teaching models are sure to be available that can help bridge the education gap by providing access to learning for more students. As a MA candidate looking to help access learning for our global students, to think that I can be a part of that movement is exciting.
