The Sunday News
Sikhu Ncube
In our previous article we encouraged learners to consider doing online lessons only during this COVID 19 period. We also highlighted the different roles that parents play in their children’s e-learning studies. In today’s article, we focus on the role played by teachers and the learners themselves in e-learning.
Learners and teachers should be viewed as responsible collaborative planners, communicators and evaluators in e-learning. Together they can break down communication barriers and overcome limitations in technology. Thus, if effective e-learning is to take place they must work together taking personal responsibilities to improve the learning process, and solving problems so as to create a rich interactive learning environment.
Learners be self-directed.
Learners should be responsible for organizing their learning. Self-directed learners will understand content plus have a positive attitude towards themselves as well as their studies. This enables them to reflect on their learning and provides the motivation to continue learning throughout the course.
Learner be disciplined and on task!
E-learning requires a disciplined learner who can work without being pushed. Successful online learners need to be self-regulated learners. Self-regulated learners use opportunities to make decisions about several aspects of their learning. They make decisions in the goal setting, planning, monitoring and assessment phases of the learning process. Self regulated learners know how to learn, how they learn, how to reflect on their learning, how to initiate learning and how to use time management skills efficiently. Mastery of these skills enable online learners to make efficient use of their time and the available online resources.
Learner know when to ask questions!
Learners need to be aware of what, when and how to ask questions. If learners email their teachers every time they have trouble with content or technology, they will be replicating their teacher-dependent behavior and may not be giving themselves a chance to explore and find answers to their questions on their own. Therefore, learners need to develop problem solving skills and to work independently in completing tasks. This does not mean they should not consult with and seek guidance from their teachers. They should consult teachers only when they have failed to work on their own.
Learner assume responsibility for your learning. E-learning requires learners to assume responsibility for your own learning. They should be able to stick to their time tables and complete given task on time without constant reminder from their teachers. Learners should be able to evaluate and judge their own performance so that they able to improve on areas they are not doing well.
Teachers assume responsibility for preparation and presentation of learning tasks The role of the teacher is to prepare and present learning tasks. They upload those task to the e-learning portal where learners are supposed to view and work on the given tasks.
Learning materials uploaded on the e-learning portal should of good quality and teachers should make sure that material uploaded is clear and understandable to the learners. This is necessitated by the fact that they will not be physical available to provide charity to the learners. Therefore, they must use relevant and current information to transmit knowledge. Teachers should constantly research the curriculum and provides concrete up-to-date examples.
Learner strategies for learning online:
Learners need the following skills if they are to succeed in e-learning;
• Organizing and managing their own resources adequately, particularly time.
• Negotiating or agreement about time and amount of dedication to learning with their parents and guardians.
• Setting own learning goals
• Setting up own learning plan or learning contract.
• Self-discipline, that is adhering consistently to one’s goals and one’s time scheduling.
• Self-motivation, giving treats to oneself if necessary.
Teachers must immediately consult with learners to correct problems and keep them on task
It is the responsibility of the teacher to immediately consult with learners to correct problems and keep them on task. After they uploaded learning materials on the portal teachers must let their learners aware that there is work needing their attention.
This will allow the learners to complete their tasks during set times. Thus, setting the right pace for the lessons ensuring prompt syllabi coverage. This ensures that learners are thoroughly prepared to take their final examinations which results in good grades in their final examinations.
Teachers be aware of student needs and wishes; respond promptly to communications and tests
Teachers need to be aware of learners’ needs and wishes; respond promptly to communications and tests. Teachers must be aware of individual learners’ needs and cater for all learners entrusted to them. Hence, they must be aware of individual leaner differences when designing learning materials.
Teachers should also provide prompt and accurate feedback to students to facilitate learning. After learners have submitted their work on the portal teachers should immediately mark the work. This will help the learners to evaluate their performance so that they can then modify their learning behavior accordingly. They can then see areas where they need to put more effort so that when examinations comes they are able to handle the given tasks.
Learners on their part should be prepared to seek feedback and learn from it.
Teachers and learners must create active e-learning environment
It is the responsibility of teachers and learners to create active e-learning environments. Creating active e-learning environments can be challenging in a face-to-face classroom and it may be equally challenging in an online classroom. Creating active, successful learning environment requires both the learner and the teachers to take active roles in learning. Learners must develop effective interaction with teachers and teachers on the other hand must build student motivation by constantly encouraging them to participate in group discussions.
By doing so they establish an effective environment for student-teacher and student-student interaction
Learners need to take an active approach to learning if they are to be successful online learners. They need to be involved in discussions, be prepared to speak out, develop solutions, and work within minimal guidelines.
Teachers on the other hand must be aware of all online postings within discussion forums (e.g chat rooms and WhatsApp groups), encourage participation and keep track of the involvement of individual learners, keep the discussion focused; and encourage higher order thinking.
Learners need the following competencies if they are to be active participants in e-learning; efficient communication and collaboration with classmates and teachers. The main skills needed are; willingness to communicate, and to express one’s ideas, opinions, feelings, writing efficiently for comprehension and communication as they will need to type their work and post it to the online portal and be prepared to give feedback in order to learn.
The online teachers must provide an active learning environment in which learners take ownership for their learning. Teachers need to understand the behavior of all their learners and learners need to understand e-learning and how people may behave in online settings. Understanding learner characteristics is important to prepare learners for e-learning.
Trust Academy offers online lessons
Trust Academy high school offers online lessons to secondary school learners. Lessons are offered to form 1 to form 6 learners. Our e-learning portal is student centered. The learner needs only to register with us and then start receiving his or her lessons.
Why should a learner join our online lessons?
Trust academy Bulawayo high school offers:
• highly qualified and professional teachers.
• flexible payment terms.
• We offer extensive examination preparation classes for June and November examination candidates.
• learner centered teaching approach.
This article is prepared and presented in the interest of providing free career guidance and counselling to all people who value education and training as a critical cornerstone to success in life. Trust Academy invites all people with O-levels as well as degree holders who have a dilemma or are unsure of what career path to pursue to visit their offices on 3rd Floor, Haddon and Sly building, corner Fife street and 8th avenue for FREE career guidance. Alternatively, write to: [email protected]/ WhatsApp 0773 616 665 or 0718180835
