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It seems as if I am continually coming across or getting emails from companies offering online learning. They lead with lines like "earn your master's online!" and "easy, online, education professional development!" I get it; learning at home is super convenient. But, there is real value in in-class learning that should not be overlooked.
I've just started my long process towards a doctorate degree. Two of my classes are 1/2 time online. On the one hand, I love being able to complete class activities when I want. . .On the other hand, I am often simply "completing an assignment" whether it be putting an answer on a "discussion board" or otherwise. My primary goal, when online learning, is to do what is required and move on. When I am in class, I am face to face with my peers and discussions are lively and heavily interactive. I learn much, much, much more in class.
When I finished my master's program, I had to fill out a survey asking about the most meaningful parts of the program. Hands down, it was the in-class time spent with my professors and peers that was most meaningful. My master's program was/is very competitive and I am a proud product. When I get emails from random online colleges/universities boasting that I could earn a degree in "less that a year," I am offended. I worked hard to get my master's degree and the idea that someone could undergo the same process in less than a year is laughable. Ultimately, I view many of these online colleges/universities as little more than big businesses off to make a buck. I honestly don't believe these online colleges/universities (I'm not talking about brick and mortar universities that offer online programs btw) are offering equal education; I see their degrees as inferior to my own. They are watering down the value of my degree.
And, you know what, I'm a bit of a snob about my education; I own that.
At the same time, online learning offers equitable access to advanced degrees for everyone. That's pretty cool too.
The other side of online learning is the accountability factor. Some online colleges/universities are accredited and some are not. Additionally, some accreditation counsels are valued more highly than others. I'm suspicious by nature. If I were to pursue any online learning, I would examine the accreditation of the institution and then investigate the value of the accreditation overall.
As Art educators, we all like to complain about the lack of professional development offered for the Arts. Often, however, the opportunities are there, we just don't take advantage of them. In my district, anyone can submit a proposal for a district-wide professional development class. In the past year, no Art teachers have submitted any proposals. I feel uncomfortable complaining about a lack of Arts professional development, when I'm not willing to put forth a class myself. I encourage you to check into your district's policies about professional development.
On the other hand, I've been to a lot of visual-arts based professional development both through my state-conference and through other professional development opportunities. My honest opinion is that I've rarely learned anything new. Truthfully, if you are an excited, passionate, Art educator, you are already pursuing professional development in the form of research etc. about new ideas and initiatives for your classrooms. For example, reading Art Ed. blogs is professional development of a sort. I know, though, it would be nice to get PLU credit for it!
The honest, you-won't-like-it truth is that we learn the most when we are in new situations and/or experiencing something "new." My first year teaching, I went to a huge professional development day with the faculty of my school. I attended only fine-arts based classes. At the end of the day my then principal asked me what I learned. Truthfully, I told him "not much." He smiled, and very kindly explained that teachers who are very knowledgeable about their subjects (like me) learned the most when applying information from other disciplines. He recommended I look into professional development for gifted students and diverse populations. I did and I have never looked back.
I learn the most when I am learning about someone else's discipline and actively working to apply the best concepts from it to Art Education. So, while I know we like to complain for lack of Art Ed. professional development, we should really be attending a PD day about something a little outside our comfort zones.
The most recent assault to my inbox and when I surf the web, is the "Education Professional Development" class(es). Most of them appear to have some form of accreditation through an online university of which I have never heard. The online university may or may not be quality; I honestly don't know. What does bother me, is the scanty description of what is offered in the class; the descriptions are often less than three sentences. Most classes start at $100 and move upwards; that is a lot of money to spend on less than three sentences. The most troubling aspect, for me, is who is teaching the classes. Simply put, none of the online PD Education classes I have seen have an instructor pedigree underneath the class description. Many boast that you can earn graduate credit for the classes, but who is teaching them? If I am earning graduate credit, I want someone who has more experience and education than me to be teaching the course. I also want to know where they went to school; I'm always interested in the pedigree of my instructors. For instance, for where I am at in my educational career, someone with a master's degree and ten years or less of experience would not be enough for me to merit signing up for the class. However, if I was a new teacher, it might be. The point is, why isn't that information available?
All of that make me incredibly leery of online learning.
On a more scholastic note, I would like to end with a short story. When I began my master's degree, I saw the degree as a means to earning a larger paycheck. However, over the course of my degree program, my attitude changed. The reality is, higher education is hard, tough, and elite. Quality writing is peer-reviewed, projects are analytically critiqued, and peers have discourse, not arguments. The whole point of pursuing an advanced degree is to immerse yourself in learning about a topic to the point you become somewhat of an expert. The resulting degree is a recognition of your scholastic desire to contribute to your field of study; not a feather in your cap for a bigger paycheck.
My point is to be bit a skeptical of online learning opportunities. I do believe there is quality online learning out there; I also believe it probably isn't for me. However, that doesn't mean it might not for you. I encourage to research any opportunities you consider, and make sure of the value of the class.
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