Vladimir N. Kukharenko (kvn@lotus.kpi.kharkov.ua)
Tue, 8 Sep 1998 14:46:54 +0300 (EEST)
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Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 14:46:54 +0300 (EEST) From: "Vladimir N. Kukharenko" <kvn@lotus.kpi.kharkov.ua> Subject: Re: [ifets] Problem Lab of DE, Kharkov State Polytechnical University
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At 05:21 PM 9/3/98 -0500, you wrote:
>>Tom Abeles wrote:
>
>> Hi Vladimir,
>>
>This does not seem to be a problem of technology or whether the course
>is offered at a distance but a "human" problem
>
>1) courses which appear on university books with syllabi and texts etc
>are the creation of the originators. There is nothing to guarante that,
>for example chemsitry 101, will be taught the same each time it is
>offered even if the original developer is in charge of the course
>
>2) text books, supplemental materials and related support are often
>provided by a 3rd party and often change over several offerings
>
>3) two classes held back-to-back may be remarkably different in their
>performance even with the same materials and faculty
>
>Technology can not design out what is inherent in a system which
>involves human interactions. In fact, most designers are trying to
>develop materials that are responsive to the position of the individual
>rather than expecting to make individuals go down some cbt production
>line like automatons
>
>In the end what maters?-- the question is not rhetorical and not clear,
>at least to me- but that seems to be the real issue- what matters?
>
>thoughts?
>
The problem that we touched seems to be really important. I can't agree that
we should discuss only technological problems. Course-creators are humans
and they are teaching humans so " human" problems are inevitable and vital.
I think there can be to two aims to create a distance course
1. Distance course on some popular topic, "for everybody to know". In that
case "human" problem is really not very important, as a creator should just
use a perfect technology so that everybody can understand and enjoy the
information given tutors are important on this stage as those are mainly
mass courses and it may be difficult for a creator to communicate with all
the students.
2. A very different aim is set by a course creator when he is presenting a
course on the subject, he is researching. In such case creator's aim is not
just to teach student this subject, but also to find some bright student and
to work with them further and deeper on this topic. His or her aim is to
develop the research with the help of new, fresh and interesting ideas. But
to be successful such project needs lots of interaction between course
creator and a student so that all ideas and thoughts are understood. In our
country such process is called "scientific selection". On this stage I can't
see the role of a tutor, as there a course creator has to "see" the reaction
of a student and to react on it.
So, as you can see, distance teaching technology should take into account
"human" factor.
Valadimir Kukharenko
My address is
Technical Cryophysic Department
Kharkov State Polytechnical University
Frunze Street, 21
Kharkov, 310002
Ukraine
E-mail: kvn@kpi.kharkov.ua
ICQ: 10333992
URL: http://users.kpi.kharkov.ua/lre/index.htm (in russian)
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