Prof. Mazur's approach and results are insightful (and thank you for sharing the video!) However, as he acknowledges in his presentation, there are some strong socio-cultural factors at work that helped his success. And that's where I think so much of the pushback has been and for good reason.
Last spring, when the pandemic struck, I was teaching at both a public university and private high school. The difference between what the two were able to do regarding online lessons was stark: at the high school, every student was immediately provided a tablet and access to the full suite of Microsoft 365. Online lessons were done in Teams, with full video and audio and worked relatively well. By contrast, at the university, many students did not have access to Zoom or Teams, not because they didn't have a device, but because they couldn't afford the necessary bandwidth to support multiple video calls per day. Those lessons were...difficult.
But I think that contrast highlights some of the pushback against online learning: it works well when it has been planned for and when all students have equal access to the necessary tools. And that brings me to Mr. Biddle's article. He's not wrong. At all. But, I think online learning needs to be intentional and it needs to be fully supported. In other words, I think schools need to make online learning a key part of the services offered and expected, right along with school lunches, after school programs, and sports teams, especially at the elementary level where parents need the most support.
Just my two cents. Thanks as always for an informative and interesting post.
Prof. Mazur's approach and results are insightful (and thank you for sharing the video!) However, as he acknowledges in his presentation, there are some strong socio-cultural factors at work that helped his success. And that's where I think so much of the pushback has been and for good reason.
Last spring, when the pandemic struck, I was teaching at both a public university and private high school. The difference between what the two were able to do regarding online lessons was stark: at the high school, every student was immediately provided a tablet and access to the full suite of Microsoft 365. Online lessons were done in Teams, with full video and audio and worked relatively well. By contrast, at the university, many students did not have access to Zoom or Teams, not because they didn't have a device, but because they couldn't afford the necessary bandwidth to support multiple video calls per day. Those lessons were...difficult.
But I think that contrast highlights some of the pushback against online learning: it works well when it has been planned for and when all students have equal access to the necessary tools. And that brings me to Mr. Biddle's article. He's not wrong. At all. But, I think online learning needs to be intentional and it needs to be fully supported. In other words, I think schools need to make online learning a key part of the services offered and expected, right along with school lunches, after school programs, and sports teams, especially at the elementary level where parents need the most support.
Just my two cents. Thanks as always for an informative and interesting post.