After reading this week’s articles, I reflected on my education and the use of technology. Bates (2022), has discussed how the evolution of technology has impacted education. The amount of change I have seen is impressive. I grew up in a tiny rural town. I remember when my elementary school received its first computer for students and, a few years later, had a full computer room, and the students were fighting to get to play educational games on it (Magic School Bus!). Fast forward to high school, we were still handwriting our essays, as not all students could access a computer at home. Then, a few years after I graduated in 2007, the school provided all students with laptops. While in high school, we did not have access to all courses, as there were not enough teachers or students wanting to take them. The courses included Math 12, Physics 11 and 12, and French 11 and 12. If we wanted to take the course, we were provided a textbook and the course on paper. We would complete our assignments on paper, which we would then mail to a teacher for them to mark and mail back to us. If we needed assistance with the coursework, we would have to call the teacher and hope we could have our questions answered over the phone.
Once I started university, using online platforms like Blackboard and Moodle was eye-opening! However, the online platform were not as well developed or utilized as they are now. During my undergrad, I did a mix of distance and in-person learning. The distance learning was similar to the courses in high school. I did not enjoy distance learning, as there was no interaction between other students or the instructor.
Once I started my advanced certificate after my bachelor’s degree, I experienced online learning for the first time. Using online platforms and interacting with other students was a great way to learn! As I continued on with the master’s degree, online learning only improved. The use of videos, Zoom, and discussion boards has made learning even more accessible.
References
Bates, A. W., (2022). Teaching in a Digital Age: Third Edition – General.
Sarah Flynn RN
September 10, 2024 — 6:25 pm
Excellent post Christine,
I can relate well to rural childhood. My high school also offered “online” options for courses not funded within the school district. It was fun reading your post and reflecting on the abundance of handwritten assignments placed into envelopes and snail-mailed to the course facilitators. It’s amusing to think about how easy it is to submit an assignment on time within the online learning databases.
I appreciate your enjoyment of online learning; however, I struggle with navigating most courses due to my childhood experiences. I find assignments and projects take a lot of extra time because I always need support in using them correctly. Do you see your lack of technology growing up putting you at a disadvantage in digital literacy?
Christine Tombe
September 11, 2024 — 4:43 pm
Hi Sarah!
I feel the same way you do. Growing up without technology put me at a disadvantage with digital literacy. My hometown did not get cell service until about 2013, and I did not get an email address until my final year of high school. I do prefer in-person classes. I am used to being able to ask for assistance and clarity. In high school, I sometimes had only six students in a class! My assignments have been taking me longer than they previously have because I’m trying to figure out the PowerPoint or poster half the time.
Thanks for your comment!
Sarah Flynn RN
September 11, 2024 — 8:47 pm
Thank you for sharing! My hometown also had a delay in getting cell service. My parent’s house still does not have fantastic service, but there is one window upstairs that we call the “lucky spot” that can get a bar or two of signal.
Keith Webster
September 16, 2024 — 12:59 am
Hi Christine,
You’ve had a progression through all the modern stages of distance learning in a few years here. More options for interaction have come with better technologies but that doesn’t mean that courses are designed to make best use of these technologies. I’ve seen some distance courses in a learning management system that made no use of the possibility of interactions and could have easily been a mail-based course from the 1930s.
Erin Talbot
September 17, 2024 — 3:18 pm
Hi Christine,
It was interesting to read of your rural experience, as I graduated 10 years prior. I never considered the discrepancy of technology based on geography. On the one hand, your school acquired desktops about ten years after mine, but on the other hand your remote access to online learning programs were significantly ahead. I am guessing they put the programs where they were more needed. Thankful you had that remote access needed for your degree. One of the big themes I am particularly interested is using technology to create equity and access for learners.