Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:914] Fear and Learning in Distance Education
From: Muhammad Betz, Ph.D. (mbetz@sosu.edu)
Date: Tue 16 Jan 2001 - 09:16:43 MET
From: "Muhammad Betz, Ph.D." <mbetz@sosu.edu> Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:914] Fear and Learning in Distance Education Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2001 21:16:43 +1300
Greetings Forum,
Having read the insightful paper written by Dr. Brent Muirhead on
Interactivity Research Studies, I noticed a potentially shared topic of
concern with the intriguing thread of an issue broached by Barry Kort, that
is: the relationship between fear and learning.
Brent asks that we consider the following question in the current
discussion:
2.What criteria should be used when conducting online peer reviews of
faculty teaching?
Brent has stated in his introductory paper,"...educators should reduce
negative learning experiences by controlling (e.g. censuring their remarks)
those who interfere with class dialogue." This statement is made while
reviewing the results of a research study conducted by Burge (1994). Brent
also mentions later in the introductory paper that some instructors face a
problem of declining student involvement as on-line courses progress. Is
the reduction in student involvement due to fear of censure? This could be
so. If the on-line instructor distributes rules for discourse at the outset
of the course, the need for censure should be reduced, which in turn could
reduce student fear and/or intimidation and lead to the sustaining of
student participation throughout the course. End result: more learning.
With respect to question #2: online peer reviews might consider the presence
of clear directions and rules for participation in discussions at the
beginning of the course as a positive characteristic and the presence of
intimidating censure during the course as a negative characteristic.
Regards,
MB
Muhammad K. Betz, Ph.D.
M.Ed. Graduate Coordinator and Associate Professor
Department of Educational Instruction & Leadership
School of Education & Behavioral Sciences
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Phone: (580)745-2262
Fax: (580)745-7508
Mail:
1405 N.4th Avenue, P.O. Box 4086
SOSU
Durant, OK 74701
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