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Today, over a third of all US students take online classes[1] Unfortunately, learning online can be a static experience. Inter-student communication is infrequent––coursework is multiple choice. Simply put, a (traditional) online course lacks feedback. Let’s explore five (emerging) online techniques that simulate the continuous interaction of a live classroom. Non-Static Communication In the past, online learning consisted of static course pdfs, peppered with an occasional email. Today, communications tools like Slack and Teams help teachers simulate a live learning environment. Features include student-wide communication, separate channels for pair/group learning, private chat (with a teacher), feedback polls, general announcements, and topic search. Additionally, students are training for a post-graduation environment, where many employers use the (exact) same communication tools. Live Visual Interaction Videos are an online environment staple. Unfortunately, video content is a passive experience, where content is merely consumed. As an alternative, Video-conferencing can be active (live-streamed) and passive (consumed). Tools such as Skype and Google Hangouts allow for one-on-one and group video options. Benefits include student-configurable course/teacher visuals, real-time feedback, multimedia, and live file sharing. If not available, working/professional students can view each session at a more convenient opportunity. Interactive Lessons Not every student needs the same test. Today, lessons questions can be tracked and grouped by individual and targeted groups. With the advent of large education-based datasets and machine (computer) learning, a lesson plan can evolve per-student. This technology may require another decade to (effectively) realize. That said, a creative application of statistics and multiple test versions are sole ingredients. Teaching platforms like Flipgrid and Kahoot are examples of this evolving technology. Portable Coursework Interactive coursework can be designed for multiple environments. Over 24 hours, a student might move from smartphone to desktop to laptop to tablet. The coursework’s design must dynamically handle multiple screen sizes and data-rich/scarce environments. Also, the coursework must update (hold state) as the student moves between screens. Traditionally, many (Edutech) designers resort to building one-size-fits-all static experiences––with low image counts, data tables, and multiple-choice questions. Eventually, the portability (and quality) of online coursework will equal that of other tech sectors, like entertainment and/or finance. Micro-Lessons For working professionals, time is precious. Regular attendance of a fixed schedule class can be impossible. As an alternative, micro-lessons can be completed (by smartphone/desktop/tablet) on coffee breaks and/or in-between meetings. Each lesson is conceptually simple/singular. The effectiveness of micro-lessons is still an open question. Will the intermittent nature of micro-lessons alter how students learn? Will student absorption rates be higher, or lower? In an intermittent environment, can a memorable/coherent lesson group exist? Below is one example. Elephant micro-lesson example: 09:30am: The student watches a video of a teacher talking about elephants. 09:45am: The student watches a teacher pronounce the word ‘elephant’. The teacher’s mouth motions are exaggerated. (video playlist of several versions) 10:10am: The student pronounces the word, elephant, takes an in-app selfie video of pronunciations, and sends to the teacher for feedback. 12:30am: The teacher (multiple teachers on virtual standby) gives feedback by video. 03:45pm: Successful pronunciation unlocks lesson––how to use the word elephant in the present tense (interactive worksheet). 11:30pm: The student creates a video of 7 things the elephant is doing at the zoo. The Dream of Continuous Interaction Online learning is a rapidly evolving industry and academic field. In several decades, online learning may eclipse (or equal) the classroom experience. Perhaps, the concept of ‘simulating’ continuous interaction will no longer relevant. No doubt, today's methods will seem quaint. I’m excited to see what new online techniques emerge. Footnotes 1. https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/article/2018/11/07/new-data-online-enrollments-grow-and-share-overall-enrollment
