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Online Education: The End of Learning

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Conference

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

San Antonio, Texas

Publication Date

June 10, 2012

Start Date

June 10, 2012

End Date

June 13, 2012

ISSN

2153-5965

Conference Session

Topics Related to Electrical Engineering Technology

Tagged Division

Engineering Technology

Page Count

8

Page Numbers

25.1004.1 - 25.1004.8

DOI

10.18260/1-2--21761

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/21761

Download Count

519

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Paper Authors

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Joseph M. Tabas Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis

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Cody Mathew LeMay Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis

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Elizabeth Freije Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis

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Abstract

Online Education: The End of Learning?The Internet has invoked some of the most profound changes in societal mores, perhaps nonemore detrimental than that of its influence over our approach to education. As educators we werecautioned about potential pitfalls of online education by Neil Postman in the 1995 publication ofVirtual Students’ Digital Classroom. This foreboding account of how the Internet will impactteachers and more to the point education, postulated that availability and access to materials doesnot correlate into motivation to learn. As well, considerations for the necessary infrastructure,training to use that infrastructure and the overall effect on learning have yet to be thoroughlyaddressed. Before we commit to this level of dependence, we need exhaustive research toaddress the many concerns with which a cultural shift of this magnitude demands.As learning institutions across the country strive to meet swelling student enrollment, a strongpush towards this unproven pedagogical approach is quickly becoming the norm. This wonderfultechnology brings with it the hope of easily accessed education with the conveniencecontemporary society demands. While most institutions tout the vastness of their onlineeducation market share or the revolutionary new resource delivery system, there is nomechanism for assessing the quality of online education. As educators, this aspect cannot beoverlooked.Through assessment of the current online education standards, faculty instructional approachesand student feedback, a clear and ominous conclusion has surfaced. Without the development ofquality control measures, online education is giving rise to the end of learning.

Tabas, J. M., & LeMay, C. M., & Freije, E. (2012, June), Online Education: The End of Learning Paper presented at 2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, San Antonio, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--21761

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