What does it mean to be an online learner? For me it means utilizing the internet to acquire new skills and training in areas that I would not have been familiar.
I must congratulate all of you on your blogs. I have personally identified three challenges of being an online learner,
1. Accessibility to equipment/ limitations of equipment.
This is of particular concern to me because I do not have access to a laptop at home and at school there is no internet access I understand the frustration this can cause a student if they are not able to successfully participate in the various activities their course requires.
2. Traditional class rapport verus virtual spaces
This is another area where students can face serious challenges. When you are interacting with others via a virtual space it is easy to feel disconnected from each other because the interaction/rapport is not face to face as we are accustomed to in a traditional classroom.
3. Applying information to everyday activities
It is wonderful as an online learner to experience new tools/technologies online, but there is a real challenge in taking the knowledge and applying it to everyday situations, some students unless they can relate to the technology do not use what new skills/ knowledge they acquired to enhance their classroom experience.
An online tutor can start the course by doing ice-breaking activities which can help to foster a sense of togetherness among the group. When participants build connections/linkages with one another it makes it easier for the participants to overcome any feelings of dislocation they may have. Additionally the online tutor can share with students challenges they may have had and how they were able to resolve such problems. Additionally the use of video chat applications eg: Skype, Facebook etc are practical way for tutors/ students to "meet" and "treat" with issues they maybe struggling with.
