Shakedown in Schooling: Online Learning can be Powerful

As high schools shut down and online learning takes flight, many new discoveries about the way we learn is becoming more and more apparent.  The role of the classroom teacher in motivating students is an integral piece of the puzzle.  What is intrinsically motivating and what is extrinsically motivating to students, has suddenly become very interesting.  Along with motivation, learning styles have also jumped to the forefront in terms of understanding the impact of online learning on the way students learn best.   Although some parents, teachers and students have balked at online learning, its potential for rendering a positive impact to learning, has yet to be explored. 

Role of the teacher in Motivation:

For those of you familiar with Sugata Mitra’s vision of schooling ‘school in a cloud’, he points out that a teacher’s role is 

“to encourage, prompt and then to lead a session where the children report back. In developing countries, with teachers in short supply, that role can be performed by someone else, including a British grandmother with a Skype connection. Though many of those involved are young locals, this became known as the ‘granny cloud’.”

 (retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/jun/07/sugata-mitra-professor-school-in-cloud)

This is not to say that teachers can be easily replaced by grandmothers but it is to be noted that we play an integral role in motivating students to do their work. As a classroom teacher, I can say that I have stopped counting the numerous times I have asked a student to get back on task or put their cell phone away.  I am certain my colleagues would agree with this statement.  In essence, the role we play is very granny-like in the classroom. Enter, online learning. The grannies have disappeared, in essence and students are looking behind them - no one is there!  Sure a teacher can email you or send a message asking you where your work is, but other than that, it’s all on you!  The online learning environment has suddenly shifted the onus of responsibility to complete work to the student.  The shift from external motivating factors to internal motivation is remarkable.  Now a student will complete their work, because they really want to, or they won’t.  Accountability and motivation go hand in hand.  As a student becomes aware or mindful that they are in charge of their own learning, it’s a powerful thing. 

Learning Styles:

As Howard Gardner, the grandfather of learning styles as told us, every child learns in the way best suited for them.  Online learning does require a certain level of autonomy and independence, not to mention sitting in front of a screen for long periods of time.  This may not bode well for a tactile or kinesthetic learner.   However, for a learner who values being independent and having control over their own learning, it is a goldmine!

For example, my son is in grade 8 and the online learning environment has been highly engaging for him.  He has taken to it, like a fish in water.  I have never seen him work harder.  He sets his own agenda and his alarm at 10 am every morning. He has control over his learning. He decides which subjects he wants to work on and for how long.  He has access to the internet, at his fingertips to check up a concept he may not be familiar with as he is learning about it.  He receives quality feedback from his teachers on his work, which he then tweaks to improve it.   He collaborates with his peers, messaging them with questions as he works.  The power of the online learning for him has been phenomenal.  

We know that the brick and mortar school has been in place for centuries.  The idea of putting kids in a physical building and isolating them from the world in order to learn, is deeply ingrained in the way we do things.  Instead of restricting them, why not invite our students to learn and experience the world, outside these walls?   This is not to say that our school buildings don’t serve a purpose.  Indeed they do.  But let’s think outside the box, if we are asking our students to do the same.  Online learning affords possibilities to students to access their own intrinsic motivation and helps them to empower themselves in their own learning processes.  The teacher is not the holder of the learning experience, it rests squarely on the shoulders of each student and how they choose to direct their own learning. As Finland explores “phenomenon-based” cross-curricular approaches to teaching and learning, shouldn’t the rest of the world look at the potential for online learning to do this as well?  The possibilities are endless!